Several fairly recent events (pilots overshooting a runway, for one) have brought the issue of pilot distraction to the forefront. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to this point, had deemed the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) response to the problem as “unacceptable.”
However, the FAA now appears to be making a somewhat aggressive move to address the issue of pilot distractions:
“In its notice to airlines today, the FAA emphasizes that carriers should take specific steps to eliminate cockpit distractions. The agency says airlines should create a ’safety culture’ – a top-to-bottom expectation that safety will be taken seriously – that emphasizes eliminating distractions. The FAA calls on carriers to set more specific rules and improve training.” (from the USA Today)
In a world where texting, checking emails on your phone, and near constant-connectivity have become the norm, some pilots appear to be like most of us; unable to put to put it all away for a few hours. However, this isn’t something that Transportation Secretary Roy La Hood is willing to let slide:
“There is no room for distraction when your job is to get people safely to their destinations…The traveling public expects professional pilots to focus on flying and on safety at all times.”
The FAA’s move is a voluntary one, but as pointed out in the same USA Today article, if airlines fail to follow guidelines, they could incur further inspection.
UPDATE: Add Sun Country to the list
Sen. Charles Schumer, who’s been on a rampage lately against Spirit Airlines’ new carryon bag fee (from $20 to $45) says at least five other airlines won’t be jumping on this odious bandwagon.
Several news organizations are reporting that the Democrat from New York says he “personally contacted officials at American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines and US Airways, and secured commitments from all five companies” not to charge passengers for carryon bag fees.
Where is Continental in that list? Perhaps it was too busy romancing United (and I’m talking mergers, not marriage).
My first reaction to these five commitments was a bit of surprise: I mean, when it comes to fees, airlines are usually part of the “never say never” school . On the other hand, they no doubt remember the scorching publicity US Airways received when it decided to charge for water and Cokes (that didn’t last long).
Apparently, there are some things even the airlines concede are sacrosanct – and one does not cross that line lightly.
You may recall this story: a Swedish man was arrested last month at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport while he was in the cockpit of a Corendon Airlines plane – just as the fake pilot was about to fly his 100+ passengers to Turkey.
He was stopped and taken into custody when somebody figured out, hey, this guy doesn’t have a license to do this.
But apparently, that never stopped our hero – he was a pilot for a variety of airlines in Europe for 13 years.
Anyway, his case came to court in the Netherlands today, and – did he get the three month jail term that prosecutors were pushing for? Nope. He got fined just 2,000 euros (about $2,723). Amazing. By the way, the “pilot” – 41 year old Thomas Salme – didn’t even bother to show up.
But then, maybe that’s understandable. He was probably too busy job-hunting.
Did you know something like 15 million Americans suffer from depression? And naturally, that would include some of the men and women in the cockpits of the planes you fly. Except of course, they’ve had to keep that a secret.
Until now.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is changing its rather anachronistic policy that banned pilots from taking depression medication. Which meant, in the past, pilots who wanted to fly either had to quit taking their medication – or hide it – or not take any at all.
Kind of scary, huh?
By the way, depression is considered a very treatable condition – although a substantial number of people don’t bother with treatment, presumably, in part, because of the stigma. Which is a shame.
Keep reading for the “rationale” behind the FAA’s change of heart: it’s all about – safety…
FAA Changes Policy, OK’s Depression Medication for Pilots
Pharmacist Doug White and his family were heading home to Louisiana aboard a private plane they’d chartered last spring to attend a funeral in Florida, when the stuff of nightmares happened: their pilot slumped over the controls and died.
According to the CNN report, White grabbed the radio and said, “I’ve got to declare an emergency. My pilot’s deceased. I need help.”
White was not a total fish-out-of-water – he had had three months of flight lessons – but that was on a tiny, single engine plane and not the sophisticated King Air aircraft he suddenly had to pilot (the article said, “that’s like going from a Volkswagen to a race car”).
But thanks to air traffic controllers in Ft. Myers who coached him every step of the way (with help from a flight instructor they recruited by phone), White made it down safely. And White – and the controller – were honored at a ceremony in Orlando this week.
If that sounds like the pat ending to a feel-good TV docu-drama, consider this: the air traffic controllers only gave the White family a 5% chance of survival. Fortunately, they didn’t let the White family in on this prognosis.
Guess who might be offering you a Diet Coke on your next British Airways flight? A pilot. Maybe.
While the strike continues (the latest segment ends tonight), the union representing striking cabin crew members accuses British Airways of using some of its pilots to fill in – and the union claims these subs get their regular salary which works out to about $250 an hour. Regular flight attendants with five years experience, says the union, make about $25 an hour.
Understandably, the union delights in pointing out the irony: the carrier is trying to save money by imposing a pay freeze on its cabin crews. All British Airways will say is, a “number of crew [are] reporting for duty”.
Meanwhile, both sides say they are open to further talks, but that’s sort of up in the air at this point (sorry).
I will note that British Airways is doing an excellent job at keeping its customers informed of all developments during this difficult time – its website is constantly updated with information about flights and options for fliers.
You probably never heard of 98 year old Elinor Smith – and it’s a little late now, seeing as how her obituary has just been published in the Washington Post – but she is worth remembering.
For a lot of reasons:
- Became a test pilot for Fairchild Aviation at age 19
- Was voted by fellow pilots 1930’s female “pilot of the year” over Amelia Earhart
- Was featured on a box of Wheaties (1934)
And she broke all kinds speed, endurance and altitude records.
But even better, she knew everybody – she successfully appealed to Orville Wright (then with the National Aeronautic Association) to become the youngest licensed pilot in the world at age 16; she was given a pep talk by Charles Lindbergh before successfully flying under New York’s Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges (on a dare); and she was friends with the one and only Amelia Earhart.
Smith retired when she got married back in 1933, raised four children and flew every now and then (she was in her late 80’s during her last flight) and was, unfairly I think, forgotten.
But perhaps that’s what happens if you are lucky enough to become an old lady – instead of disappearing in your prime.
Consumerist has an update about that “strange odor” on a plane that I told you about yesterday – a smell that prompted nine people to seek medical treatment – including two pilots and five flight attendants.
Turns out the plane’s aroma has created problems before: this is the very same plane that made people sick in late December and mid-January. Three times in three months!
The plane’s now out of service; US Airways says, they’re at the trouble-shooting stage. I certainly hope they find the trouble this time.
