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Pilots forced to cut corners on safe fuel levels, networks say
To what extremes will airlines these days go to cut costs? Passengers might be alarmed to find out one of the more worrying answers uncovered in a major NBC and MSNBC.com investigation: Fly their planes knowingly on low fuel levels.The networks have delved into a Federal Aviation Administration database of non-public safety complaints to unearth a significant amount of safety concerns raised by pilots themselves, who say airlines are forcing them to fly major commercial airlines with too little fuel.
The networks quote internal memos from Continental Airlines that appear to take pilots to task for making "indiscriminate" fuel stops en route to its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, saying that they cut down on profit sharing and pension funding.
The Transportation Department last week released a report saying flights declaring minimum or emergency fuel levels are increasing for routes into Newark, based on a sample of 20 landings.
The FAA says all flights must have enough fuel to reach their destination plus their farthest alternate airport, and then must carry another 45 minutes' worth in addition to that, the networks say.
The FAA also gives pilots final say in the amount of fuel they carry on their flights. But the networks' report says that increasingly, the judgment of pilots is called into question if he/she raises concern about the amount of fuel designated for the flight in the flight plan
Says one captain quoted in the report: "I, as captain, have final authority on what I deem is a minimum safe fuel load for the flight or do I not."
Read the investigation: It's thorough and explains the extent of the concerns, and also includes excerpts of pilots' complaints.
As Gadling's resident cockpit expert, I'd be keen to read Kent's take on all this, if not on the thrust of the networks' investigation than in general on the role pilots have in setting fuel levels for flights and just what it means for a plane to be descending claiming minimum or emergency fuel levels.
As someone who has never been in the cockpit, I'm out of my league in these matters. Is this report something that should concern us?
What strange things have been found on planes?
Click the image to read the bizarre story...
Filed under: Airlines, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Mark Apr 23rd 2008 1:16AM
This is just another case of the media trying to stir up something where it doesn't exist. The last commercial flights to run out of fuel were a Columbian DC-8 that crashed at JFK, and the Ethiopian 75 that crashed in the ocean. The Columbian plane crashed because the pilot didn't notify ATC that he had a fuel emergency, and the Ethiopian flight was because the hijackers were too stupid.
Pilots have always been under pressure to minimize fuel loadings, but they are also rewarded for their efficiency. Flight crews get bonuses based upon how little fuel they use on their flights.
And the pressure is greater now, because bean counters run our economy instead of people that know what is going on. The present day CEO's are all in charge because they are good at math, not day to day operations. Look at what Carl (sheister) Icahn did to TWA & Ozark, Frank Lorenzo at Continental. Remember PanAm, Eastern, National, America West, PSA, Western, Republic, Piedmont, Allegheny and the others? They were milked dry by the bean counters and their swarms of MBA's.
stnsmok Apr 23rd 2008 1:21AM
Last weeks scare was, the airline companies figure if they lose a plane every 5 to 7 years, they just mark it off as the cost of doing business.
stnsmok Apr 23rd 2008 1:21AM
Last weeks scare was, the airline companies figure if they lose a plane every 5 to 7 years, they just mark it off as the cost of doing business.
Yoke Apr 23rd 2008 1:44AM
Someone named Mark made this statement: "Pilots have always been under pressure to minimize fuel loadings, but they are also rewarded for their efficiency. Flight crews get bonuses based upon how little fuel they use on their flights..."
Sorry, Mark, but if you truly know an airline that gives bonuses based upon fuel usage, please forward my resume to them immediately...I've been flying heavy metal for almost 20 years, and my paycheck has never had a "fuel savings bonus" in it. I don't know if I could take all that extra money in good faith, but I'm sure I'd put my own life on the line for a few extra dollars...C'mon, be real!!
Folks, we plan our fuel loads based on the safety standards that the FAA has set. These standards are based upon years of experience, and always provide more than enough fuel to conduct a flight safely under normal circumstances. There are times when influences such as weather take us out of the "normal circumstances" mode. When something like this occurs, we, as professional pilots, will evaluate the situation and proceed accordingly, in a SAFE manner, to get the aircraft on the ground. It may inconvenience you a bit, but believe me when I say we have all of our best interests in mind when we make those decisions...NOT THE INTERESTS OF THE CORPORATION THAT OWNS THE AIRCRAFT.
I truly hope I speak for all professional aviators when I make that statement...
C Renner Apr 23rd 2008 1:58AM
cheryl,
If they get that low on fuel during a holding pattern, they declare a "fuel emergency" and get cleared ahead of everyone else...air traffic control isn't going to force someone to circle until their tanks are empty.
Web Apr 23rd 2008 5:30AM
Last month a British Airways plane dropped on the runway.......I knew it ran out of fuel
Joe Apr 23rd 2008 5:46AM
MSNBC. You kidding me. Any network that picks Obama over Clinton has zip for credibility. On the other hand corperate America are pigs and your safety means nothing when it comes to turning a buck.
Lauren Apr 23rd 2008 12:14PM
I was not surprised when I read this article. I was on a Continental flight to Newark from RDU last year where the pilot actually announced that we were low on fuel and Newark Liberty had closed due to weather conditions. His exact words were, "I'm going to do the best I can." I'm glad that report is getting some attention, because it is extremely unfair to those of us who have to travel for work and for pilots who feel the pressure to work every day under those conditions.