As a former chief pilot, I have absolutely no sympathy with someone who makes a commitment with a company to amortize the cost of training, then dumps them for some trivial reason, leaving them hanging for the cost of training a replacement. They get trained on a type then bye-bye for a job paying slightly more or a more amenable schedule. Training new pilots on heavy & complex equipment is expensive. She ought to be grateful it wasn't a 2-year deal as most are/used to be in Canada. An alternative to billing the pilot is to bill the pro-rated outstanding cost to the new company - regardless of whether she's flying the same type. When you enter into a training bond, think it through BEFORE you sign, or rethink the fickle reasons you are quitting for.

(Written on 02/03/2023)(Permalink)

What about your brains? ...the *MEMORY* section of it I'm referring to. The only time you MIGHT need a ballpoint pen is copying your taxi clearance at LHR or LAX. That is, if you can't tap it into the MCDU or FMC (whatever you have in a -67) as he gives it to you.

(Written on 11/04/2022)(Permalink)

And as for this b/s lithium battery problem...firstly not many trackers have these expensive batteries in them - more frequently NiCad or regular alkaline batteries (accounting for the short life of these devices). Secondly the issue with Lithium batteries occurs during charging at high charge rates, not during discharge, and particularly at the microscopic currents involved in these short-range devices. Somebody at ANZ and Lufthansa definitely has to get it together.

(Written on 11/04/2022)(Permalink)

Wasn't it 218,360 bags missing...? Or perhaps 217,842...? errr helloe...are we expected to swallow these nebulous imaginary numbers without challenge? So are we left to conclude that ANZ will not lose anybody's bag, even with Star Alliance connections? get real. So they then have must some credible tracing alternative to this extraordinary "problem". It's my understanding that the baggage tags applied at check-in are readable by a bar-code reader on baggage conveyors and electronically & mechanically directed accordingly. So where lies the problem with all this "lost" baggage? Of course we only hear about the lost baggage and its associated horror stories in the MSM, but not about the BILLIONS of other baggage that was successfully handled. I recently to a trip to Philippines with 4 connections EACH forward and return, my baggage was (MIRACULOUSLY) on the baggage carousel at each destination. Oh wow, will wonders never cease.

(Written on 11/04/2022)(Permalink)

Amateur mistake. No cross-checks...? That's a fairy sophisticated plane

(Written on 05/22/2022)(Permalink)

What it probably means is: "Nothing that a little 100-mph tape won't fix"

(Written on 05/13/2022)(Permalink)

This was an atrocious landing attempt no matter how you look at it. It should have been aborted long before they did. There are precautions and allowances for gusty conditions, specifically approaching with half the gust speed added on to your Vref. The loss of manual flying skills in younger crew who have been flying automation for a few years is alarming. This is another example of poor decision-making with a lack of basic skills, and overcontrolling the long-fuselage aircraft. Those jokers who think the pilot exhibited superior skills and did a good job need to take a step back and reassess whether they should be posting their drivel at all.

(Written on 02/04/2022)(Permalink)

You are going too far. Anything that is dangerous to people, F/As, flight crew or the plane classifies. You don't have to let your imagination run wild....just the facts, please. 1 warning unheeded, and they're gone.

(Written on 11/19/2021)(Permalink)

This is the best initiative EVER for dealing with these idiots. Drunk, pompous, self-entitled, class-conscious, imbeciles who think the world revolves around them. It is an International problem but worst in North America. It cannot come soon enough. Recent incidents in the industry demand that accelerated action be taken among ALL carriers. Maybe they can all unilaterally agree on something that is non-competitive.

(Written on 11/19/2021)(Permalink)

Terry Harrold in Fort Smith NT is over 80, in perfect health, still flies regularly scheduled 704 services, airline licence, and has equal or more time.

(Written on 10/15/2021)(Permalink)