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Pilot's mental breakdown causes emergency landing
Early Wednesday, an Air Canada flight from Toronto to London Heathrow had to make an emergency landing in Ireland because the pilot apparently suffered a mental breakdown midair. BBC reports that he was shouting he wanted to "talk to God" when they were taking him off the plane.
After an 8-hour delay, all passengers eventually made it back to London. The pilot is now "in care". Something tells me his career as a commercial pilot is history...
###Ever seen a plane this cool?
Gallery: Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380
Filed under: Europe, North America, Canada, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 11)
BC Jan 31st 2008 10:30PM
PLEASE! No pilots who talk with imaginary guys who live in the sky.
Livin Large XX Jan 31st 2008 10:27PM
My God bro!!! W.T.F.??? Why am I waisting my time on a MORON who invests $150,000.00 in training for a job that he works at an average of 17 hours a week and on top of that only pays him $22.00 an hour? And you are actually telling people you did that? Hey, I got some cheap land for sale in Florida. I AM BORED!!! Hurry up baseball season.
Chayes1126 Jan 31st 2008 10:35PM
If I was doing it for the money, I would have left long time ago. Obviously you are not a pilot and dont understand. We dont only work 17 hours a week. Some pilots fly 3 to 4 day trips away from home. But becuase the flight time only amounts to 17 hours, thats all they get paid for. I may be a moron for wanting to fly, but at least I dont flip burgers for a living.
Brenda Feb 1st 2008 1:36AM
you are quite rude.. not every job pays the big bucks.. and SOMEONE has to fly the plane.. you gonna do it, genius?
FL 450 Jan 31st 2008 10:31PM
Great comments .......but your friend didn't do all his trianing with ATP ! There are some that have come over to ATP from other schools in debt and finish thier training. You lock in your price before you ever start training and they don't have a program start to finish that would ever cost that much! But Yes you are right $20,000 a year is where you start! I dont know of any job where you come into a new profession and make top pay!! and in the Airline industry in a post 9-11 world impossible!!
Chayes1126 Jan 31st 2008 10:39PM
I think he really did do all his flight training at ATP. I dont know for sure so I really shouldnt comment any more on that. Are you a flight instructor or manager for ATP? If so then im sure you know all about the DFW ATP that is so well known in the industry (specifically American Eagle). I went to a job fair with Eagle and had the interview captain tell me those guys dont know an ILS from a VOR. Personally, im glad I didnt go to ATP. But thats just me. Ive heard great things about the school from other people. So im not trying to bash ATP at all. I think its great if you can get what I have for cheaper, DO IT!
jim Jan 31st 2008 10:34PM
I KNOW NOW WHY I REALLY HATE TO FLY, AND I HAVE SINCE THE 1950'S, KEEP THE ZANEX AND VALIIUM HANDY, OR THE STRONG BEVERAGE OF CHOICE. AS HAS BEEN SAID, WE ARE TRAPPED IN A FLYING STEEL TUBE, HOW EXCITING AND RE-ASSURING. OH WELL IT IS FAST, NO MATTER HOW IT WINDS UP, OR DOWN. GOD'S SPEED......
finalapproach9l Jan 31st 2008 10:35PM
As a licensed mental health professional I can attest to the rigorous testing these men & women undergo to become commercial airline pilots. No other profession on the planet that I know of undergoes such testing. The society at large is completely ignorant of the facts which is glaringly apparent by some the comments on here.
As a medical professional I can tell you that surgeons who operate on daily basis dont undergo the testing commercial pilots go through. Approximately 250,000 deaths a year in America are caused by mistakes made in medication mismanagement. Who questions the sanity of the physicians? That's alot of deaths and no one questions it. But one pilot loses it and its a big deal.
Anyone can have a breakdown. No one is immune to it. Even in my profession I have seen colleagues crack under pressure. It happens. Just be grateful it wasnt you.
ann Feb 1st 2008 7:00AM
actually, jennifer, i know of a few people who fly for regional airlines. they do only make about $20,000 to start. eventually, they can move up in position, and also go with a bigger airline, but they definitely pay their dues and work hard for little money in the beginning.
SCOTTE1031 Jan 31st 2008 10:43PM
WELL AFTER READING COMMENTS I DECIDED TO DO RESEARCH MYSELF AND HERE IS ANOTHER LINK AND SHOWS THAT IT IS A AVERAGE OF 22,OOO TO 33,OOO DEPENDING ON AIRLINE EXPERIENCE!
http://www.flightlevel350.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3227
Jo Jan 31st 2008 10:42PM
Who knows why, AOL never gives the important details just the hype.
I'm sorry for the man, maybe he had a type of stroke
and had a seziure. In any event all landed safely, Ultimately that's what is important.
I talk to God when I fly, it's called prayer.
BILL56560 Jan 31st 2008 10:42PM
Anyone working for a "major" airline and making $20,000 does not have a seat in the cockpit - flight attendants and baggage handlers do better than that !
tweb142 Jan 31st 2008 10:43PM
My hats off to you pilots and all my respect to you.
JB Jan 31st 2008 10:45PM
This pilot may have stopped taking his psych medication or failed to seek treatment for his mental distress because he knew being on certain psych medications would automatically disqualify him from flying. If our society weren’t so phobic and shameful about mental illness, maybe people suffering from mental distress would be less hesitant about seeking treatment.
FL 450 Jan 31st 2008 10:47PM
Hey thanks for your comments!! Its been fun. You know as well as I do that its up to the individual to take it upon them selfs to study and prepare for a career in any field some take there studies siriousand other just try to get by....you know how it is, for some it's just get in the door after that it's all about seniority, sad but true
Chayes1126 Jan 31st 2008 10:53PM
Yea, these forums are always fun! I do agree, it is all up to the individual. I chose the college route and am paying for it now! But good luck to you and ATP!
abbygolucky912 Feb 1st 2008 1:28AM
Chanes - I gotta ask u, WHAT DO I DO FOR MY FEAR OF TURBULANCE!! I know that this has nothing to do w/ the topic, but since a horrible trip on a delta flight last year, I have been traumatized big time and I never want to fly again and that will eventually affect my kids and I summer vacations. This question goes to any pilot or stewardess out there - I just want some tips.. U guys always look so calm, meanwhile I'm in the back pulling my hair out, taking shots and biting my nails to till I cant no more. lol. Thanx!
ozzy Jan 31st 2008 10:54PM
I am so sick of this god, god, god bull-crap. Ever notice just about any time there is a mass murderor some other sort of evil event or atrocity, someone is usually screaming 'god?' I for one doubt the existence of this mythical 'being.' As immense as the universe is, are human beings actually egotistical enough to think that a supreme being 'out there' made us and cares about us? If he does, I wish this beast would leave us the hell alone. The things that Jesus supposedly died for 2,000 years ago are still happening! Too many innocent people have stepped off of curbs and have gooten creamed - for NO DAM good reason. Why do innocent babies die a month old? If there would be a god, he has a dam sick sense of humor. I have lost a lot of elderly loved ones, due to 'god' taking them, for which I can't wait to punch that no good f@#$#er right in the face. Send me to hell?, we're living in it. I'm sick of hearing people actually acting like there is a heaven out there. Heaven and hell are make believe concepts. If heaven existed, people would be jumping off of bridges to get there, which frankly, I wish all the religious people would do. Look at all the wars throughout history in the name of religion. And don't even get me going on the topic of pediphile priests.
Chayes1126 Jan 31st 2008 10:59PM
Ok, please... we are not about to change this topic to a religious or racial spout. Be thankful you live where you do and can believe whatever you want. Lets just all try to get along and stick to the subject.
FL 450 Jan 31st 2008 11:01PM
Anyway to answer your question no I don't work for ATP. Like you had said earlier just tryin' to get it done, and get "Flyin the line".I started this thing sometime back, But life happens while you're busy makin plans! :) So are you at Eagle then? I'll and up at Skywest by years end.