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On 12/4/2002 6

06 PM Bob Owens wrote:
Sounds like they might be making a Mountain out a mole hill. There are many places where speed tape is an acceptable temporary repair. If we refused to use it, we could be accused of having a job action.
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From what I've heard, the problem isn't in the use of tape as a repair, but rather that the aircraft were kept in service for nearly one month with this "temporary repair". The violation occurred in not repairing the aircraft properly within a reasonable duration (as in 2-4 days).
The press is certainly blowing this incident out of proportion, as imho, the tape falling off would not have done more than maybe decrease fuel efficiency. Of course, the purpose of the fines are to provide an strong incentive not to violate any safety-related rules. The idea is that if they give UA a good lashing over this, it'll help keep them from committing a serious violation...