Comments on: FAA whistle-blower safety warnings found to have merit

By: 2wimc

2wimc — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:15:16 +0000

For additional information regarding this discussion, google the name "Mary Rose Diefenderfer" and read about her experiences as an ASI.

By: R. Moore

R. Moore — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:19:46 +0000

Well Jim Bob you are here so that must include you. LMAO

By: Captain Ross Aimer (UAL Ret.)

Captain Ross Aimer (UAL Ret.) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:22:18 +0000

How can one police itself, if one's job is to regulate "safety" at the same time trying so hard to promote Air Transportation?
Just as we deregulated every thing else in this country and left it to the Big Business to police themselves!
It is only thanks to great advancements in technology and professionalism and dedication of transportation workers and not the FAA that we don't see more Aluminum raining from these unfriendly skies! Wait until all those Captain Sullenburgers have retired and no one in their right minds are replacing them!

Captain Ross "Rusty" Aimer (UAL Ret.)
CEO
Aviation Experts, LLC
San Clemente, CA

By: jim bob

jim bob — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:57:31 +0000

What a bunch of freakin experts we have here. LOL

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:15:47 +0000

All they care about are there very High Salaries.

By: 30,000 plus hours

30,000 plus hours — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:55:12 +0000

FAA – Corrupt? True!
FAA & Airlines – cozy relationship? True!
I survived THREE Fitness for Duty Evaluations ordered to submit to by my employer, a major airline.
Why?
Naively thinking I, a Captain, had a responsibility to my passengers, coworkers and stockholders to promote safety. So spoke up. Dumb me?
Did anyone listen? No.
Who did I go to?
Company Safety Department first. reply = silence.
Union second = silence.
FAA Inspector = silence.
Was I right or wrong? You tell me. Should I have? Does a Captain have a responsibility in the REAL WORLD to be a Captain as the FAA says, the Union says, and common sense says?
Next ordered to Fitness for Duty. When asked Why = silence was the reply.
Maybe should be put in for Guiness Book of records having beat THREE psychological Fitness for Duty Evaluations?
How? By being faithful to wife for 36 years?
By serving my nation in the USAF 27 years?
By always completing a safe flight of major commercial airlines over 28 years?
Planes being turned into potential Fuel/Air bombs? No problem the FAA inspectors say.
Planes being flown with known structural damage from fire across N. Atlantic? No problem the FAA inspectors say.
Planes being flown with visible wing cracks exceeding 12 inches? No Problem the FAA inspectors say.
The list goes on.
Oh, did I forget, ATP licenses/ratings from governments of USA, UK and Japan, but what do I know?
Two combat tours in SEA in real combat. But, what do I know?
USAF Flight Test Pilot of C5 Galaxy? But, what do I know?
Experience in and typed on B727, B737, B747, B757, B767, DC10, MD80, A300 Airbus? But, what do I know?
USAF Pilot C5 Galaxy, C130 Hercules, UC123/K & OV10 Bronco? But, what do I know?
Yep, my opinion only, 1978 year of change for USA:
1.) change bankruptcy law first time in over 100 years allowing top company managers to put a company into bankruptcy and still stay.
2.) change in how money was loaned making it easier to give to the unworthy – Savings and Loan scandal (Late 80's), now, financial meltdown making our children pay for our bills using smoke screen of "stimulus package"... great legacy to leave?
3.) Deregulation – "Unleashed the gods of greed" on the transportation industry. Now American Aviaiton is a house infested with termites, safety is definitely second fiddle to financial concerns.
Thank you Jimmy Carter?
You tell me....
Please comment....

By: EX FAA PHX

EX FAA PHX — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:46:52 +0000

The degradation of the FAA started under the Clinton administration. At that time the FAA was so hung up on diversity that they would hire any minority. regardless of experience or skill, instead of a person with the greater skills. Those people without any real skills or experience are now the leaders and managers and they continue to hire and promote people who have less experience and skill than they do themselves. This is the major reason for the monumental mess that FAA Flight Standards finds themselves in at this time. This is political correctness run amok and the traveling public is at greater risk with each passing day.
I know I was there and I was a victim of cronyism and an inept manager that was sent to PHX under false pretences. He wanted to be worshiped (because he was from DC) and he reaked havoic on those who had the experience and knowledge that far surpassed his own weak, limited experience. The man was and continues to be dangerous to the flying public but is still blessed by Washington DC.

By: R.Moore

R.Moore — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:13:20 +0000

All you people talking about the term "promoting or fostering" may want to avail yourself to Section 44701 of Public Law103-272. You will note that there is no fostering aviation involved.

However, some have it right about the "politics". The responsible persons are mostly never held to public accountability and sometimes just move to another position within the agency.

By: Peter Revere

Peter Revere — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:51:22 +0000

In a perfect world, the FAA individual responsible for keeping the flight of AF1 and two fighter jets a SECRET from the press and the public should:

a) Be publicly identified
b) Be fired
c) Be held invdividually liable for the damages created
d) Be subject to individual civil suits for the emotional distress caused
e) Have his or her head displayed on a pole in front of FAA Hq

By: Jocko

Jocko — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:45:54 +0000

AS A retired FAA inspector all you have to do is call your senator or cogressperson and see what happens The FAA does not like Govt Involement when it comes to there short Comings

By: Grounded Airline Pilot

Grounded Airline Pilot — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:00:24 +0000

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Five years ago I was an airline pilot, and complained to both my employer and the FAA about fatigue and training – two of the things being examined by the NTSB regarding the Colgan crash – and got medically grounded by the FAA, even though there was never any medical evidence against me.
I thought I was "doing the right thing" by making my concerns known, but I paid the price, and now work for TSA as an airport screener.
From the cockpit to the security checkpoint, as a result of safety complaints. Imagine that.

By: Ross Aimer

Ross Aimer — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:07:37 +0000

How can you regulate the very same business you are trying to promote?
FAA's claim to regulate safety has always contradicted with its main goal of promoting commerce and helping its best customers (the airline industry) prosper.
"Safety first" as long as it doesn't cost the poor CEO a Penny out of his bonus.
Besides how dare anyone ever talk about regulating or worst yet, "blowing the whistle" on the mighty Big Business!
Let's not forget the conservative mantra: "make the government ineffective enough to drown it in a bath tub!"
Don't blame it all on the dumb one. Reagan started the destruction of this industry by firing the air traffic controllers and deregulating every thing in sight.
Crash in Buffalo is only the tip of the iceberg, folks!

Captain Ross Aimer (UAL Ret.)
CEO
Aviation Experts, LLC

By: Kevin- Tampa

Kevin- Tampa — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:16:01 +0000

I think it is funny that Bush is blamed for all of this. Lets not forget that under the Clinton administration there was alot of violations and oversights as well. This is not a product of Bush. It is a product that has been in the same situation since the 60's and 70's when air travel made its first major boom. So let us think about this, most of the problems with air travel today are new problems, but its been operating this way for how long? TWA Flight 800, who was president? What caused that problem? I recall that being a state of the art plane. Brand new (or close to it).
Major problems are going to happen in any industry. Take the recession. Did Bush cause that too? Let us remember the other 2 Great Depressions we have had. One was in the 1800's. The other in the 1930's. Surely those are Bush's fault too. The same condemned inflation caused those depressions, and inflation will continue to cause depressions. Indians and old world trading (of minerals, ores, spices, linens, metals, stones, scales, and other forms of trade commerce) had no inflation. One pound of sugar cane then was worth 25 yards of linen (silk). 25 years later, the same pound of sugar cane was still worth 25 yards of silk. They didnt play with inflation. Thats what causes the colapse of an economy. Creating a false pretense for it to 'grow' upon. A dollar is still a dollar. Inflation makes your dollar worth 25cents.
Candy bar in the 30s was 3cents.
Today its 1dollar.
Inflation makes your dollar worthless. So lets keep yelling at Bush. Yelling does so much to make this world peaceful. Thats why we have wars with one another. Way to go world, lets show the aliens we know how to kill each other. Wahoo!

By: R.Moore

R.Moore — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:45:29 +0000

As I was watching American Morning with John Roberts this morning (07/02) there was an article presented by Allan Chernoff concerning the FAA Whistleblower (Christopher Monteleon) and other oversite of airlines. What really bothers me is the fact that the news media including CNN sensationaliizes a story such as this, congress flails their arms, but nothing changes and the news stories hardley ever get any followup. If you think there has been past cultural change in the FAA I remind you to start at least with the following:
1. Eastern Airkines in the 70’s & 80’s.
2. National Airlines in the 80’s.
3. Value Jet.
4. Numerous FAA RASIPs.
5. Numerous FAA NASIPs.
6. Other directed safety inspections.
7. Recently, Southwest Airlines.
Then tell me about cultural change. I listen to the same “ole” BS year after year, yet here we are watching the same “ole” BS in 2009. I wonder if the american public will ever demand an accounting. You to may one day be watching your life flash before your eyes !

BTW, the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was superceded in 1994 by congressional law which took FAA Flight Standards out of promoting aviation and doing what they were supposed to be doing.......that is regulating and enforcing current rules & regulations. I wonder how "Customer Service" took precedence ?

By: Dale Kettring

Dale Kettring — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:49:06 +0000

I have seen several people quote the "dual mandate" of the FAA as an issue. The "dual mandate" they refer to is always regulation and promotion of the industry, and that used to be the case.

However, that "dual mandate" has not existed since, I believe, 1996, after the Valuejet crash in the Everglades. Then DOT Secretary Pena, and FAA Administrator Hinson called on Congress to change the "dual mandate", and Congress obliged.

The FAA's current mandate is to "provide a safe, secure, and efficient global aerospace system that contributes to national security and the promotion of U.S. aerospace safety."

So, there is a dual mandate, but it is SECURITY and SAFETY.