Scary New York Times story

[FromFloirda]

I am glad this site is up and running again. While it was down last week, there was a scary New York Times story, "Not a Noise You Want to Hear at 18.000 Feet": http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/business/29road.html

The article says: "
But pilots are also worried about safety in a system stretched tight, with airline work forces reduced.
“Airline manning has been cut to the bone and then some,” said G. Bruce Hedlund, a pilot for a major airline.
Routinely in the past, small maintenance problems that do not “in and of themselves compromise safety,” were flagged on a log for prompt attention after the flight. Those flags are more numerous now, Captain Hedlund said, speaking generally and not about any specific incident or airline."



This is one of my big fears, that maintenance isn't as good as it needs to be due to the financial condition of airlines.




Our trip is next week, I am getting increasingly nervous....

[Captain Hutch]

Dear New Member,
If there ever was a time NOT to believe media hype I believe it is now. From your excerpts, the article seemed to insinuate that flying today is less safe than in the past. Personally I believe the opposite is true. In my experience the pilots are more vigilant today than ever and the mechanics are equally meticulous in following approved procedures.
The “flagged” items that the article was referring to are known as Minimum Equipment List, or MEL items that are noted on the flight release and the aircraft maintenance logbook that is carried in the cockpit. All MEL items for that type aircraft are predetermined and indicate whether the aircraft is airworthy if a particular item is missing or inoperative. This even includes cabin items such as a coffee brewer that cannot be repaired because a particular station does not stock that part. Obviously the inoperative coffee brewer does not affect airworthiness but it will be noted for repair at a later date which differs according to the item.
The captain has the last and most important word. Pilots I know (including myself!) would not hesitate to cancel or delay a flight if it appeared that safety would be compromised and I know of no case where the pilot did not get the full support of the company in his decision.
I hope this helps—let us know how your trip went! :)
Hutch