NWA's Director of Flight Safety pulls the eject handle...

[PurduePete]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....04380899&EDATE=

SEATTLE, June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines today
announced the election of Chris Glaeser as vice president of safety.
An aviation professional with more than 30 years of experience in
military and commercial environments, Glaeser will oversee all aspects of
the company's safety program in the air and on the ground. He will report
directly to Bill Ayer, Alaska Airlines' chairman and chief executive
officer.
"As a pilot and an executive, Chris has demonstrated an overwhelming
passion for safety," Ayer said. "The depth of his experience with safety
programs and systems in the airline industry and the military make him the
perfect choice to join our team. We feel fortunate to have someone of
Chris' caliber."
Glaeser, who starts his new position July 5, will also report to the
Safety Committee of Alaska's board of directors. Alaska is one of the few
air carriers in the industry to maintain such a committee on its board. The
airline also conducts external audits of its entire safety program at least
every two years.
Glaeser joins Alaska from Northwest Airlines, where he has served as
director of flight safety, quality assurance and industry affairs since
2003. In this role, he has been responsible for all aspects of flight
safety, including overseeing safety reporting and measurement, developing
and executing safety assurance programs, managing incident and accident
investigations, managing internal and supporting external safety audits,
and establishing programs to enhance the airline's safety culture.
In concert with Alaska Airlines representatives, he has led Northwest's
participation in an industry-leading initiative to share data about
safety-related incidents among all U.S. carriers. He also has managed
numerous groups tasked with addressing safety matters such as runway
collision avoidance and improved inflight emergency coordination between
cockpit and cabin crews.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor's degree in
engineering science, Glaeser served on active duty in the military until
1988 and in the Air National Guard and Reserves for another 10 years. He
was highly decorated as a fighter and test pilot and served as a U.S. Air
Force Test Pilot School instructor.
In 1983, he graduated from the British Royal Air Force Empire Test
Pilot School. He also earned a master's degree in management from Troy
State University in Alabama.
After joining Northwest in 1988, Glaeser flew Boeing 727s, 747s, DC-10s
and Airbus A-320s as a second officer, first officer and captain. He also
served as an A-320 check pilot, instructor and special project pilot for
eight years. During his military and commercial career, Glaeser has flown
some 9,100 hours on more than 200 types of aircraft.
He became assistant to the vice president of flight operations at
Northwest in 1997 and assistant to the vice president of safety and
regulatory compliance in 2000.
Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88
cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada
and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and
information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air News Room at
alaskaair.com.

Anyone care to venture a guess as to why Mr. Glaeser would be leaving? 🙂

 

[PRINCESS KIDAGAKASH]

Probably got tired of being a "test" pilot every time he flew a NWA plane. Flying is much more fun when you don't have to worry about engine failures or hydraulic leaks.

 

[robbedagain]

When the rat's start leaving the ship it's not a good sign. In fact it's a tell tale sign that despite their best efforts the management team can't stop the ship from sinking.

Look at US, saved only by merger, they were by some accounts within days of ceasing operations and look at the drain at the top prior. Not pretty! Keep your eys on how quickly others leave and let it be a signal for the rank and file to bail as well

I agree with you PineyBob. US was more likely hrs away from death if it werent for the merger. I often wonder that with the so far success it has had, will NORTHWORST go thru a similar route? As for greedy money thiefs at SCAB AIR, it is only the beginning. them lifeboats are fillin up quickly with the scacks of money and the owners

 

[Don Smith]

I completely agree that the top guys running the day to day operations jumping ship is a sign of the end. The sad fact is that Glaeser was probably one of the more productive people at the airline. Doing an operations job and butting heads with idiot CEO types. Probably frustrated when looking at his position at the number FOUR, I mean number five airline and that CEO making every decision possible to drive it out of business. :down: The good news for Dougie and Little Andy is that now they can put some "yes man" weiner in there to take his place.

 

[PurduePete]

I completely agree that the top guys running the day to day operations jumping ship is a sign of the end. The sad fact is that Glaeser was probably one of the more productive people at the airline. Doing an operations job and butting heads with idiot CEO types. Probably frustrated when looking at his position at the number FOUR, I mean number five airline and that CEO making every decision possible to drive it out of business. :down: The good news for Dougie and Little Andy is that now they can put some "yes man" weiner in there to take his place.

Good observation Don.

BTW, it just so happens that Mark McClain is now available... 😀