Letting The Airlines Sink The System

[sharktooth]

Letting The Airlines Sink The System

by Steve Soto
This is what you get when we mix airline deregulation with an administration that has no interest in ensuring passenger safety. After FAA whistleblowers went public with the news that the agency let Southwest Airlines escape safety inspection requirements, the FAA under pressure began enforcing existing safety rules. With safety inspections and requirements staring them in the face for the first time in years, American Airlines suddenly cancelled flights this week because they couldn’t field enough inspected planes to support their schedules.

And with fuel costs rising, another bargain carrier, Frontier Airlines filed for bankruptcy this week, after several others had as well. You can blame each airline for not locking in fuel costs better, but the lack of an energy policy combined with a laissez faire approach to the nation’s commercial air travel infrastructure leads us to a place like this.

Keep in mind that Al Gore chaired a presidential commission in 1996 that recommended a slew of airline safety and security improvements, which the industry then killed with the help of Trent Lott and the GOP leadership, and a FAA that was under industry control. Some of these safety and security improvements would have prevented 9/11 and ensured better passenger safety, but the industry didn’t like the fact that it would have to help pay for them. Conservatives blamed Gore and Clinton for pre-9/11 airline security lapses without also mentioning that their own senators and representatives took industry cash and never acted to make the skies safer while they controlled Congress.

But at least the wealthy still get to ride their private planes unaffected by the these troubles.

 

[N965VJ]

But at least the wealthy still get to ride their private planes unaffected by the these troubles.

Sounds like a line from the Air Transport Association’s constant harangue on General Aviation.

 

[UPNAWAY]

Al this hand ringing about saftey is a ruse. The industry has never been safer!

 

[Edward]

Follow this in Aviation News.

 

[PHL]

There are so many completely unsubstantiated claims in this article that I don't know where to start. Not one of these statements is founded or backed up, nor can it be.

" an administration that has no interest in ensuring passenger safety"

And you support this with which evidence? All the major airline catastrophes we've had in the last 6 years since 9/11?

"Some of these safety and security improvements would have prevented 9/11 "
And you are certain of this? Were box cutters specifically part of Gore's recommendations to be banned?

"Conservatives blamed Gore and Clinton for pre-9/11 airline security lapses "
No, they blamed Gore and Clinton for missed opportunities to get Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists training themselves in the US.

"and a FAA that was under industry control"
I guess that's why the FAA makes every aircraft operator jump through countless hoops just to keep an airplane flying.

 

[sharktooth]

" an administration that has no interest in ensuring passenger safety"
And you support this with which evidence? All the major airline catastrophes we've had in the last 6 years since 9/11?

Not my article. Gives one an idea what passengers are thinking, however.

For instance. The FAA put the kabosh on inspectors in 2006. At least one inspector with integrity, blew the whistle in 2007, was fired, then finally was able to get attention weeks later. The news just broke, in 2008. Meanwhile, planes flew for several years that way. Is not the FAA part of the administration?

"Some of these safety and security improvements would have prevented 9/11 "
And you are certain of this? Were box cutters specifically part of Gore's recommendations to be banned?

Did you access the link? Why don't you read, then come back with questions.

"Conservatives blamed Gore and Clinton for pre-9/11 airline security lapses "
No, they blamed Gore and Clinton for missed opportunities to get Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists training themselves in the US.

Don't forget that Bush has had several "opportunities" to "get" terrorists and decided not to, perhaps he needed time to change his underwear.

Google is replete with instances of Clenisâ„¢ and Gore being blamed, but, try for yourself. Also, since the 9/11 dudes did not train until Bush took office I find the second part of your statement rather silly.

Do I need to remind you that Bush et.al. trashed everything about terrorists the Clenisâ„¢ administration brought forward, even going so far as to publicly announce that "they would do things differently". Despite Clarke's entreaties to meet right away, nothing was done security-wise for eight months, until 9-11.

"and a FAA that was under industry control"
I guess that's why the FAA makes every aircraft operator jump through countless hoops just to keep an airplane flying.

Yeah, that is why we get waivers for expired MELs, allegedly signed by FAA dudes. I believe it is a part of the dual and many times conflicting roles played by the FAA, that of promoting air travel and also policing the system.

With a policy of "hands off business" by the present morons in office, I am not surprised at the lapses in the policing end. With problems with pharmaceuticals, beef, dog food as well as the administrations absence for several days during the start of the Katrina disaster, using political criteria when hiring for the DOJ, trashing the Constitution and Geneva Conventions. I could go on, but then, if you are not paying attention at that time, it is probably not worth it.