Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 Feet—

[RDoug]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

We're just not going to agree on this Cmill, so this will be my last post on the subject. I'm not talking about over-regulation. Didn't even hint at it. I'm talking about an airline that attempted to have fired a public official for doing required regulation as per his sworn duty. Huge difference.

The last word is yours.

 

[boondr]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

I dont disagree, but you would be regulating the industry into the ground. Theres an associated risk with any form of travel. Airlines are no different. And SWA has the safest record out there. As long as theres human error, there will be accidents.

I think the issue is enforcing the existing AD's and regulations regardless of airline/operator not adding new regulations.

 

[RDoug]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

I think the issue is enforcing the existing AD's and regulations regardless of airline/operator not adding new regulations.

Now that I agree with 100%.

 

[zmiller4]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

I'm talking about an airline that attempted to have fired a public official for doing required regulation as per his sworn duty. Huge difference.

Have you investigated the relationship between FAA CMO's and airlines other than Southwest? I think that might be a good step prior to singling Southwest out as having a terrible safety culture (good work if you have!).

 

[RDoug]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

In my book, similar cozy relationships were uncovered involving the ValueJet/Airtran CMO (which also involved the St. George Aviation scandal) and subsequent retaliation against FSDO Supervisor Gabe Bruno; numerous problems uncovered by FSDO at Colgan Air prior to the Buffalo disaster (also covered up by higher FAA management); incredible lapses during the Eclipse certification which resulted in near-disaster at Chicago Midway when one jet experienced a near-fatal stuck-throttle condition after FSDO personnel were overruled on certification by higher FAA management (who subsequently awarded themselves huge bonuses for that "successful" certification). And don't forget that quote at the end of Chapter Five (excerpted in the blog series) from the AAL CMO, "In the air carrier world, you have to make deals." So, obviously even AAL held some sway over at the AAL CMO.

So, no, SWA was not singled out. Far from it. But they were by far the most egregious example.

 

[cmill]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

fair enough. sorry for giving you a rough time. i think we all know there are cozy relationships to be found all over the place.

 

[Pilotforhire587]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

Welcome!

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

RDoug: Welcome. If that book gets published I'll buy a first edition for sure.

Good ol' FAA! When enough people die, they might then think about doing something.

Nah.

Public policy changes happen when: (1) a problem exists, (2) public outcry exists and (3) a solution exists all at the same time.

There is no (2) here. At least, not yet.

 

[Apophis]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

Thank you, Screaming Emu. Love the "Captain Stig" look. Very cool.

I just finished reading all three parts on your blog; very damning information. Unfortunately I have to say that I am not surprised by what is contained therein; thanks for putting the truth out there.

 

[RDoug]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

Thanks for the hearty welcomes, everyone. And thanks for the feedback on the blog, Apophis (named after the asteroid, I take it?). Glad you enjoyed it.

 

[Apophis]

Re: Why Southwest’s Boeings Keep Coming Apart Above 30,000 F

And thanks for the feedback on the blog, Apophis (named after the asteroid, I take it?).

Close! Actually it's the Egyptian god, Apophis (for which the asteroid is named). I was a huge fan of the old SciFi show, Stargate SG-1. One of the main antagonists in the show was named Apophis, that's what inspired me to take up the name.