AA fined $7.1 million

[tech2101]

The FAA being stupid, never!

These are the same people that effectively shut down our airline for a week back in March over a non safety issue, why are we surprised that they are pulling more of the same crap now?

Funny, I always thought pilots wouldn't fly a plane they deemed unsafe. If the Cap and FO make the call, I'll trust that over some FAA suit with a political agenda.

I have seen some pretty poor decisions by pilots not writing up issues and taking an aircraft from a non maintenance outstation that would otherwise be unairworthy. They were willing to take the small chance of nothing going wrong, rather than the inconvenience of not getting home. Granted, that was the action of a slim minority of professional pilots, but it does happen.

A perfect example is the classic in-range call to maintenance with flush a brake and an out of limit tire! How did they wear out in flight?

 

[Hopeful]

Most FAA fines wind up being mitigated down to pennies on the dollar. In some cases, the money that would go towards the fine can be offset by the cost of increased training or putting additional controls in place.

Maybe not....Not business as usual anymore with the FAA since the Southwest thing.

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20080815?rpc=44

 

[The Goose]

Maybe not....Not business as usual anymore with the FAA since the Southwest thing.

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20080815?rpc=44

After the FAA got its nose rubbed in Southwest, I had my doubts that the status quo would return.

Perhaps in time, but not for a while.

 

[Wretched Wrench]

I have seen some pretty poor decisions by pilots not writing up issues and taking an aircraft from a non maintenance outstation that would otherwise be unairworthy. They were willing to take the small chance of nothing going wrong, rather than the inconvenience of not getting home. Granted, that was the action of a slim minority of professional pilots, but it does happen.

A perfect example is the classic in-range call to maintenance with flush a brake and an out of limit tire! How did they wear out in flight?

Yup. Again and again. Another obvious, common one is burned-out nav lights that can't be seen in flight.

 

[Bob Owens]

'Tech2101']
I have seen some pretty poor decisions by pilots not writing up issues and taking an aircraft from a non maintenance outstation that would otherwise be unairworthy. They were willing to take the small chance of nothing going wrong, rather than the inconvenience of not getting home. Granted, that was the action of a slim minority of professional pilots, but it does happen.

A perfect example is the classic in-range call to maintenance with flush a brake and an out of limit tire! How did they wear out in flight?

Yup. Again and again. Another obvious, common one is burned-out nav lights that can't be seen in flight.

You arent allowed to say stuff like that on this website, I started a topic about this a few weeks ago and it was removed and I was suspended for questioning its removal. Here is the message and I guess the rule.
(deleted by moderator. Communications between a member and a moderator are NOT to be posted publicly.)

 

[Hopeful]

You arent allowed to say stuff like that on this website, I started a topic about this a few weeks ago and it was removed and I was suspended for questioning its removal. Here is the message and I guess the rule.

I agree....Those of us who with access to logbooks know what's going on... No need to publish it here.

 

[FWAAA]

About those drug test violations, here's some of the allegations:

The FAA cited American for failing to follow up 174 times after 35 employees tested positive for drugs.

One pilot tested positive for drugs four times, and a mechanic tested positive 12 times.

The FAA said American allowed workers to continue performing "safety-sensitive functions."

The agency also claimed American "provided opportunities for employees to avoid tests" and did nothing to 25 employees who refused follow-up tests.

http://www.nbc5i.com/travelgetaways/17208459/detail.html

If these allegations are true, it's a very sad statement about both management and the affected employees. Advance notice of tests (aren't they supposed to be unannounced?) and failure to follow up on positive results? Ugly.

 

[tech2101]

About those drug test violations, here's some of the allegations:



http://www.nbc5i.com/travelgetaways/17208459/detail.html

If these allegations are true, it's a very sad statement about both management and the affected employees. Advance notice of tests (aren't they supposed to be unannounced?) and failure to follow up on positive results? Ugly.

Follow-up???

NWA had a zero tolerance (up until 8/2005). Test positive once and you were gone. No questions asked.

Maybe those positive tests were based on someone on prescription drugs, and the MRO failed to follow-up???

Avoiding tests is the same as a positive result. We were not even allowed to leave the sight of the "collection technician".

Are things that different at American?

 

[UAL_TECH]

May be AA is trying to be competitive with overseas Airlines and MRO's.
None of them gets tested.

B) xUT

 

[1AA]

Here are two good links on the D.O.T. drug testing program.
This should answer many questions on testing procedures.

D.O.T. Testing Program

NEW testing guidelines
This one you may not like. You are subjected to a strip search. If you refuse you get fired.

 

[Mach85ER]

All,

Not long ago, a few here were disgusted at APA for bringing safety issues into the public.

Now it seems (unfortunately) the FAA looked into the "smoke" and found some "fire".

 

[RDU Jetblast]

I have to ask questions about putting an auto pilot on MEL or deferral.

Can someone provide details on why an autopilot on MEL would be a violation?

Isn't an auto pilot system a luxury like cruise control? Isn't the only time it's really "required" is when arriving at airport with minimum visibility?

 

[Hopeful]

I have to ask questions about putting an auto pilot on MEL or deferral.

Can someone provide details on why an autopilot on MEL would be a violation?

Isn't an auto pilot system a luxury like cruise control? Isn't the only time it's really "required" is when arriving at airport with minimum visibility?

I don't have any inside scoop, but I believe in one instance, the AP was placarded incorrectly.

 

[tech2101]

Here are two good links on the D.O.T. drug testing program.
This should answer many questions on testing procedures.

D.O.T. Testing Program

NEW testing guidelines
This one you may not like. You are subjected to a strip search. If you refuse you get fired.

That is only under certain conditions (generally when something is amiss or a return to duty after rehab etc...):

An observed collection is required when:

1. The laboratory reports an invalid specimen and the MRO reports that there was not an adequate medical explanation for the result.
2. Because the split specimen test could not be performed (e.g., split lost, inadequate volume).
3. The MRO reports a negative-dilute result with a creatinine concentration greater than or equal to 2 mg/dL but less than or equal to 5 mg/dL.
4. The test is a return-to-duty or follow-up test.

 

[tech2101]

I have to ask questions about putting an auto pilot on MEL or deferral.

Can someone provide details on why an autopilot on MEL would be a violation?

Isn't an auto pilot system a luxury like cruise control? Isn't the only time it's really "required" is when arriving at airport with minimum visibility?

Ask a DC-9 pilot what its like to hand fly one for 5 hours.

Short answer:

It is an integral part of the modern passenger aircraft systems. The aircraft is certified with an autopilot system, therefore it (or a portion of it) must work. It can be deferred for certain time periods as set forth in the MMEL (Master Minimum Equipment List), or the air carrier specific version of the MEL. See FAR part 121.