I am astounded by the recent news of a passenger being ordered to pay more than $5,000 in fuel costs after a flight diversion due to bad behavior. This incident is just one of many examples of unruly passenger behavior on planes that have been making headlines in recent years. As an ex-flight attendant, I am familiar with the challenges of dealing with disruptive passengers, and I am all too aware of the toll it takes on the entire flight crew and fellow travelers.
The implementation of a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers by the US Federal Aviation Administration is a step in the right direction.… Continue reading
American Airlines recently found themselves in hot water after blaming a 9-year-old girl for not noticing that she was being recorded by a flight attendant in a bathroom. As I read through the reactions and comments on this shocking news, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of disbelief, anger, and frustration towards the airline’s response. Blaming a child, who was simply using the restroom on a flight, for not being vigilant enough to detect a hidden camera is not only outrageous but also a prime example of victim-blaming at its worst.
It seems as though American Airlines is attempting to shift the blame away from their employee and onto the innocent child to avoid legal liability.… Continue reading
As I sit here at a Southwest gate in Denver, waiting to board my flight, the news of a Southwest Boeing 737-800 losing its engine cover certainly gives me pause. The thought of being up in the air and having parts of the plane fall off is quite unsettling, to say the least. It makes me wonder about the maintenance practices in place and who exactly is responsible for ensuring that everything is secure before takeoff.
It’s easy to point fingers and place blame on Boeing, especially with all the recent negative press surrounding the company. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that this particular incident is more likely a result of maintenance oversight rather than a design flaw from Boeing.… Continue reading
As a frequent traveler, the recent news of a Boeing flight experiencing a sudden drop after an instrument failure is beyond concerning. The idea that a pilot would convey to a passenger that he had lost control due to such a failure is alarming, to say the least. It raises questions about the safety and integrity of Boeing aircraft, especially in light of the company’s recent track record of putting profits over quality and safety.
The fact that Boeing has been under fire for charging extra to activate safety features that were already built into the planes is a red flag in itself.… Continue reading
I’m surprised that it has taken this long for an airline to start weighing passengers at the gate. After all, Ryanair practically charges you for using oxygen while on the flight, so why not charge based on weight as well? Although this specific airline is using the data to refine their estimates of required fuel volume, it does make me wonder if other airlines will follow suit. Will I end up flying in cargo, or will there be an extra fee for being overweight?
As an aircraft mechanic, I can’t help but wonder why fuel load hasn’t been mentioned more in the discussion.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker