FREE TRAINING to FAA Manager

[SKY HIGH]

LINK: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/200...southwest_N.htm

WASHINGTON — The manager of the federal office that oversees Southwest Airlines accepted thousands of dollars in free pilot training from the carrier under an arrangement that violates rules of conduct, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.
The training program had been approved by regional officials and had been in place for years. The FAA has halted the program because it violates its rules, according to spokeswoman Diane Spitalieri. The FAA would not comment specifically on the supervisor's training because the matter is "under investigation," Spitalieri said.

 

[magsau]

That is interesting information to say the least. I do wonder where this is all going to go in the end. Will it just encompass SWA? Will there a full FAA Air Carrier division overhaul because of these relationships?

 

[Tanker]

This has been going on for decades in the industry. I know that at the commuter I was at in the late 80's we gave our POI the training so that he could get typed in the aircraft that we flew. I'm sure if the media found out that the Feds sometimes do line checks while going to their vacation destination tey would complain about that as well.

 

[ramper_in_las]

I can understand where the conflict of interest comes into play. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it company policy if someone is riding jump seat they are supposed to be a qualified pilot? So if the mucky mucks in the FAA approved their employees taking flight classes wouldn't it be to the benefit of everyone involved? The reason I am asking is I always see the FAA dudes riding the jump seat.

 

[jimntx]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it company policy if someone is riding jump seat they are supposed to be a qualified pilot?

As I understand it, it doesn't matter what your company's policy is when it comes to the FAA. The FAA can jumpseat anywhere on the a/c they want to if they are doing a check ride. They can sit in the cockpit or on a cabin jumpseat. Yes, it would make the most sense for the FAA person doing a check ride on the cockpit to be a qualified pilot, but when it comes to the government, what's sense got to do with it? ( to paraphrase Tina Turner )

 

[magsau]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it company policy if someone is riding jump seat they are supposed to be a qualified pilot?

No the jumpseater does not have to be a pilot. You have inspectors that may hold a mechanics license giving you a line check in the cockpit. Have had several of these types over the years. They are generally more interested in the logbook and paperwork than the regular ACI that is pilot qualified.

 

[signals]

LINK: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/200...southwest_N.htm

WASHINGTON — The manager of the federal office that oversees Southwest Airlines accepted thousands of dollars in free pilot training from the carrier under an arrangement that violates rules of conduct, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.
The training program had been approved by regional officials and had been in place for years. The FAA has halted the program because it violates its rules, according to spokeswoman Diane Spitalieri. The FAA would not comment specifically on the supervisor's training because the matter is "under investigation," Spitalieri said.

This is shocking? It's only politics. It involves one hand washing the other. Everyone gets soooo shocked when everyday business and politics work together. It's what it is all about. 'Under Investigation' is just a way of 'sweeping the issue under the rug' to the idiot and layman terminology!