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Pilot sues flight attendants over safety
Three Phoenix-based flight attendants are in the unusual position of defending themselves from pilot-instigated litigation. Of course, they deserve it. I mean, what would you do when people responsible for passenger safety report safety concerns to federal regulators? Either you can fix a problem or you can sue. Since the pilot is obviously a proud American, he chose the latter course. And, he's now proving his patriotism by messing with the media. America West Flight 851 was about to leave Calgary, Alberta back in 2003. The flight attendants were worried about frost on the wings, but the pilots saw no need to de-ice before take-off. Eventually, the guys at the front of the plane gave in, but the flight attendants were worried enough by the incident to report it to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Looking back on the crash in Buffalo a little over a week ago, this looks like a decent idea.
First Officer Ed Gannon didn't see it that way, even after he was cleared by the FAA (which offered to pick up the tab for some of his legal fees).
Now, I am somewhat sympathetic to Gannon (sorry, Heather). I'm not plane-savvy enough to know if the FAs had a good point or if they were intruding on the pilot's turf. Even though the FAA cleared the guy, he still had his life at least inconvenienced by the flight attendants. And, let's be realistic. Being sued is not something you can just brush off.
Assume you feel you've done nothing wrong, and you have to spend thousands of dollars to make that point. Yeah, you'd be pissed. You'd want a bit of payback.
If Gannon wanted to make a point, filing the suit was enough. The fact that the judge tossed out some of his arguments (including "infliction of emotional distress") suggests that he shouldn't push too hard (the defamation bit is still in play). Instead, however, he's upping the ante.
The seemingly wronged pilot has subpoenaed reporters' notes from the Phoenix New Times, not to mention any documents supplied by the flight attendants who are being sued. Gannon has also gone after the FAs' blog, hunting for information about the people who have posted comments on the site.
Imagine getting a call from a lawyer because you posted a comment on this story ... scary, isn't it?
Gannon's made his point. It's time for him to put all this in the past (hell, it happened six years ago). If you feel strongly about this, consider a contribution to the FAs' legal defense fund.
Check out these other stories from the airport checkpoint!
Filed under: Activism, Blogs, North America, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Sean Feb 23rd 2009 1:23PM
It is absurd that the FA's would even take it upon themselves to question the judgment of the flight deck. The Captain and F/O have to final say as to the airworthiness of the plane while on board, not flight attendants. As much as I respect FAs, this was way beyond their jurisdiction, so I applaud the FAA's decision.
lavrenti Feb 24th 2009 11:25AM
While the lawsuit was frivolous, using Americanese legal parlance, we still live in the promised land of lawsuits. Good Ole USA. I actually would have had both flight crew and Cockpit crew arrested.
hilltopperatx Feb 24th 2009 11:29AM
Why would you have them arrested?
carl Feb 24th 2009 12:11PM
“The Captain and F/O have to final say as to the airworthiness of the plane while on board, not flight attendants”…. Better to question it on the ground then find out he was wrong in the air (this guy sounds like a vengeful nut case anyway). If he was wrong then everyone is just as dead including the FAs
Lulu Feb 24th 2009 5:30PM
Easy to say when it's not your ass on the line, Sean. Besides, FA's are always told, "You are the eyes and ears in the back of the plane.". Bottom line is they can see the wings and the pilots can't. They are also given classes on communicating concerns to the pilots. If you did your research, you'd see that some of the crashes in the 70's and 80's were caused when a captain disregarded concerns that were voiced by the fa's, fo's or pax.......Air Florida in the Potomac for one.
Pilots are for the most part, great at what they do, and most of them listen to contributions from the whole crew to do the best job they can.
Noah Feb 23rd 2009 6:58PM
Sean,
At my airline we have a saying, "all to go, one to say no". Meaning if anyone of us (pilot or flight attendant) feel uncomfortable about something we need to speak up and the flight will be stopped until we reach a conclusion. We are supposed to question the judgement of the pilots, its part of good crew resource managment.
Also want to point out that flight attendants are trained to recognize icing (and other issues) and report them to the flight deck. After reading the accounts of what happened I would have done the same as these flight attendants did, and pushed just as hard as they did for deicing.
Mike Feb 24th 2009 7:06AM
While I wouldn't discourage input from FAs concerning any phase of the flight, I doubt that they have training equivalent to the pilots' in recognizing and analyzing issues related to flight. I have no problem with their pointing out concerns to the pilots, but questioning the judgement of the pilot on flight issues is so far out of the FAs area of expertise as to be laughable.
Dorothy Feb 24th 2009 9:43AM
Most airline pilots are required to have a college degree and ATP rating. Flight attendants are required to have a high school education and a pulse...that's it.
They don't care what their 2 cents worth costs anybody because they don't have anything invested in their careers. I have seen many cases in all situations where a bored flight attendant took it upon herself to cause trouble for pilots for no reason.
Dorothy Feb 24th 2009 9:54AM
And you know something else... that captain's ASS is on that plane too so I'm sure he wants to have a safe, uneventful flight also.
LeRoy Feb 27th 2009 4:57PM
One of the seminars the company I worked for offered was Cabin Safety and at the seminars there has been plenty of info provided to all members regarding their role in the safety of flight.
As an academic I had a number of FAs taking courses in aviation safety or a few that were already holding a private pilot's license.
karin Feb 24th 2009 7:09AM
wow this guy is as big a jerk as he is dumb. they were only doing their job and looking back at the case in new york i'd say good call. this guy is just looking for easy money. id bet he lost his job and just wants a easy buck to help his "pain". how he never works for delta cause i wouldn't get on a plane he was flying if you paid me!
lol34 Feb 24th 2009 8:35AM
looking back at the case in NY? do you mean the one that happened a few weeks ago (2009)?? this happened in 2003
vcrozas Feb 24th 2009 9:25AM
And How would you know????? How would you if the "attendants" did not like this pilot....I have seen women pull this crap before ..BTW I am a woman. There was more than 1 guy in the cockpit....why pick on just him... perhaps media is slanting the story as they often do and there is more to meet the eye here than appears.
PJ Feb 24th 2009 10:29AM
Karin. please tell me how the new york crash has anything to do with this. If you are such an expert you will know that. As for the trainning for F/A's, they are trained for the safety of the passengers only and are not trained for icing on the wings. The pilot sould sue the hell out of the F/A.
Ashamed_to_be_american Feb 24th 2009 5:02PM
for one all of you are so freaking stupid! yes i know that the ny plane cash happen this year. dear lord where did you all come from?? i just said it by the fact that maybe the same thing could have happen then. as for the women who hates other women, i'm sorry you hate yourself so much you take it out on your own sex but honey that is not my falut you need help. oh and i have family that work for the airlines so yea the flight att. were in the right and they are just as important as the pilot and they make sure the plan is ready to go as well. you people need to get your head out of your asses once in awhile and maybe go back to school.
Darla Feb 24th 2009 7:09AM
I was an FA for a major airline... as I see it the pilot was in the wrong... the FA's probably turned down his advances at one time or another, pilots think they are Gods gift to women anyway..
Mark Feb 24th 2009 7:30AM
Wow, and F/A's think they are God's gift to men....
must make for a great working relationship!
Dorothy Feb 24th 2009 9:35AM
Are you kidding? Most of those FA's take those jobs so they can try to snag a pilot. You have to go through a lot of training to become an airline pilot. What do you have to do to become a flight attendant?? Not much, trust me... I was a flight attendant so I could travel with my pilot husband. Those flight attendants even have their own message boards where they instruct other FA's on how to con their way into a pilot's room, etc....
There may be a few good FA's out there, but most are just blow hards and ready to cause trouble in a moment's notice.
John Feb 24th 2009 12:07PM
You mean the fat, overweight,ungroomed,nast attitude, hagged out 55+ year olds I see on every business flight I'm on?
God's gift to men and pilots..Laughable
sandra Feb 24th 2009 7:42AM
The flight attendants did their job...they reported their concerns to the flight deck. They then took their concerns to the FAA. It is a scary day, when those in the know hold back reporting to the FAA for fear of retribution. This pilot should be fired.