Continental pilot dies in flight

"Nice job. You had to out him here as a scab. Not even I am so low as to do something like that."

Seems like Velo hates me more than scabs. Quite the conundrum for him....

I mean no disrespect to Capt Craig Lenell. However, I think the fact that his name is on the scab list is worth noting here. It's been all over APC yet nobody here mentioned it. It's nothing personal against CAL, or ALPA, nor is it meant as flamebait. It's just a fact.

Uhh... you just did. Don't bring that garbage over here. :)
 
Its not that tough.Besides, no one gets hired at a legacy without some Captain experience somewhere along the line. He's steered before.

Incorrect, sir.

I was hired at TWO legacy carriers with NO captain time whatsoever. No turbine PIC, either. Just the way upgrades and seniority went along the way. I only say this in response to "no one gets hired at a legacy without some Captain experience somewhere along the line." Not as absolute as stated.

After finally obtaining a Capt. seat, the real a/c was far easier to taxi than the sim. I'll opine that the CAL guys would taxi the actual a/c even better than the sim in which they were type rated. The tiller is not hard, as we know. On that, I agree.

It's a sobering thought when a pilot dies on the job. As Mike D said, this is not unprecedented. It's a tragedy nonetheless. I hope all will make sure their affairs are in order, and offer a moment of thought for his family and a prayer if you desire.
 
Are we really going to desecrate this man by starting a scab conversation? That is ridiculous.

Leave that over at APC with the rest of the useless BS that goes on over there.
 
99% sure its not.

The CAL guy was 60, not 61 as that person stated. Plus he lists his location as Denver, The CAL guy lived in IAH and was based in EWR.
 
99% sure its not.

The CAL guy was 60, not 61 as that person stated. Plus he lists his location as Denver, The CAL guy lived in IAH and was based in EWR.

On the AOPA forums people ask the Aeromedical questions as an "unregistered" user for anonymity. It could be the same guy, and he simply fudged his location and age in case Doc gave him an answer he didn't like. Proof in the pudding would be if he responded to an email/PM or to check his last activity.
 
I'm going to speak out of turn here and interrupt and redirect. From what I gathered by listening to the news was that: And please correct me if I'm wrong.
1. Medical Personel were called for in flight
2. There were multiple crewmembers on-board
3. In a conversation over the internets with Dough, I believe the FO for these transcontinental flights is typed in the aircraft, which means he can act as captain.


So were the medical personnel brought up to the cockpit? Or did they drag him out of the flight station?
 
2. There were multiple crewmembers on-board
3. In a conversation over the internets with Dough, I believe the FO for these transcontinental flights is typed in the aircraft, which means he can act as captain.

Both FO's are typed in the aircraft. We all have to be when the skipper is in the bunk. The only difference between an FO or IRO (at Delta we just call them The Relief) is what they bid for that month.

Continental is a little more set in who flies as IRO. They actually bid on having a window seat or the relief seat for T/O and landing. At Delta, we decide who will be the Relief FO by arm wrestling, coin toss, or sack race.


So were the medical personnel brought up to the cockpit? Or did they drag him out of the flight station?

Sounds like they left the CA in the cockpit. The 777 is plenty big enough up front.
 
Sounds like they left the CA in the cockpit. The 777 is plenty big enough up front.
Which is interesting, from what I understand one of the Docs was a Belgium cardiovascular specialist, which brings the whole cass discussion earlier to a different level. Thanks for the information.
 
Just a question here about this whole thing?


Does there need to be a 800 page debate. The gentleman died oh well. Yes your chances of dying as you grow older go up. However anyone at anytime can die of 'natural causes'.

As for the Age 65 rule being changed, you have to think of where you will be in 30 years or whenever you turn 60. These gentlemen have had their pensions cut, and are unable to get any income because they are not allowed to collect social security until the age of 62.5. So really if you are thinking of changing it to open up positions, that really is not going to help the industry, or help anyone hire. The fact is most of these guys are approaching the 62.5, or the 65 here soon, and will be exiting, right around when the hiring boom will start again here in a few years. So everything will be back to normal.

As for first officers, if you are in the industry, you should know that the FO is extremely capable of flying the airplane, at the MAJORs. On a long haul flight, you have a heavy crew anyways so that doesn't matter.

To be honest, this was a non issue from the start, and even arguing airline safety with pilots over the age of 60 is to me crazy.

The issue that is glaring here to me, is Part 135 Single Pilot Ops. I know several guys flying 500 series Citations Single Pilot, and they are up there in age, and they are up above FL400. The FAA has no problem with this as long as you go to your Flight Safety 60 hour course to get single ops approval and pass your medical obviously.

Anyways, this post has gone off track. I truly feel sorry for this guys 6 children, grand children, and wife. Its hard losing someone, especially before they are ready to go.
 
Don't forget to check their ALPA card.


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