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Comments

1. #1
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:07 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

   And yes, those opposed to making English as this country’s language continue to preach that it’s racist to mandate such a thing.

   I wonder what they’d say if one of their family members were killed in an accident due to faulty repairs caused by someone who couldn’t read the instruction manual.

2. #2
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:09 am, nail49 said:

   applicants for pilots’ licenses who tried to pretend they could speak English

   “Perdon, weeth the Eeengleesh troubles have i — wheech roonway deed you wand me to land my aeroplanes?”

   I know, I know — RAAAACIST!

3. #3
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:10 am, b-cat said:

   And yes, those opposed to making English as this country’s language continue to preach that it’s racist to mandate such a thing.

   Yes, I’ve often marvelled at how language can be construed as race. Religion too, for that matter.

4. #4
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:12 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

   Oy!

   I’m flying out to Orlando in two weeks and in June we are flying out to Vegas for vacation.

   I don’t know where to begin my critique as the TSA and the FAA both can use a good overhaulin’.

5. #5
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:18 am, right4life said:

   News 8 is RACIST obviously…we should just contract with the mexican gangs to service the planes…they get to move their product as long as they take care of the planes…

6. #6
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:27 am, dan708 said:

   I know this much; if I end up dying because of the incompetence of some English-impaired pilot, I WILL come back from the dead to haunt the FAA.

   But the root of the problem is that the FAA’s charter charges it with the responsibility of PROMOTING the industry. WTF???

7. #7
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:34 am, tre said:

   Yet, Duh One still thinks he can run General Motors, Chrysler, banks, the health care industry, et. al.

   Is it 2012 yet?

8. #8
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am, Rip Ford said:

   This just leaves me dumbfounded. Back in 2001 I was working for Continental Airlines providing support and minor software updates to the authoring tool their engineers used to write up maintenance procedures and publish them to the company intranet so mechanics in the field could download them. It was stressed to me that for these procedures they had to break things down into the tiniest steps to make sure everything was done exactly by the book because there’s absolutely no room for error. It boggles my mind that there might have actually been mechanics out in the field who couldn’t read the procedures.

9. #9
   On May 18th, 2009 at 9:36 am, txvet2 said:

   One of many reasons I haven’t been on a commercial airliner in over 20 years.

10. #10
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:39 am, txvet2 said:

    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am, Rip Ford said:

    mechanics out in the field who couldn’t read the procedures.

    They can’t read the manuals to fix your car, either.

11. #11
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:43 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Supervisor: “Hey Pedro, do you have that fuel pump part number for that 747 over there?”

    Mechanic Pedro: “Si! Quattro de Cinco!”

12. #12
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:45 am, meangreenfan said:

    As someone who lives in the Metroplex, this story shocked me. Anyway, one part of the full article let me know which two airlines to fly in the future:

    “Texas’ two biggest airlines, American and Southwest, both require mechanics and the technicians who work under them to speak, read and write English.”

13. #13
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:47 am, JonB said:

    I suppose this is just the first step. Wonder how long it will be before they start hiring illegals to do the jobs

14. #14
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:59 am, fluffy said:

    This goes beyond America. English is the language of aviation. Pilots flying into Vladivostok or Timbuktu should be able to speak English.

15. #15
    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:59 am, LOBOMAN said:

    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:47 am, JonB said:
    I suppose this is just the first step. Wonder how long it will be before they start hiring illegals to do the jobs”

    What makes you think they aren’t doing that now? (clue: Can’t speak/read english, etc)

16. #16
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:02 am, GladzKravtz said:

    I understand the concern that licensed A&Ps working in the USA must speak and read English perfectly. I’m wondering though, Boeing (just as an example) sells aircraft to other countries. Their maintenance manuals would have to be written in the language for their customer, right? Many of us use foreign carriers on flights between foreign countries – they have mechanics and I would guess that their manuals are in the language of the country they are in.
    Just wondering if this is all being blown out of proportion. I’m a private pilot and have many friends in private and commercial areas of aviation….will talk to them.

17. #17
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:02 am, wckelly60 said:

    Great… and I fly out of Texas’ second largest airport (Bush Intercontinental in Houston) on a frequent basis.

    I can’t believe the FAA could be that friggin’ stupid. Then again, maybe I can.

18. #18
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:05 am, tiredofit08 said:

    On May 18th, 2009 at 9:07 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    And yes, those opposed to making English as this country’s language continue to preach that it’s racist to mandate such a thing.

    I wonder what they’d say if one of their family members were killed in an accident due to faulty repairs caused by someone who couldn’t read the instruction manual.

    am I wrong but the English language is not a race so how can that be considered racist? English is used the world over as a common business language. To say it’s racist to use the language is simply ridiculous. If I want to say live in Germany, I’d best be learning to read, write, and speak German unless I stay in tourist areas…ya think??

19. #19
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am, GladzKravtz said:

    Old joke:

    “Hello, I’m from the FAA and I’m here to help you.”

20. #20
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am, torabora said:

    Ariba!!!!

    It’s a race to the bottom of the t urd world cesspool.

21. #21
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am, Savage24 said:

    No problem, we’ll just have to print those manuals in 47 different languages. That will be much easier then hiring people that can speak amd read English.Remember the government is there to help!

22. #22
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:10 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    They don’t need tech manual to keep early 1970s Monte Carlos running…

23. #23
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:13 am, spaceycakes said:

    Just sabotaging the friendly skies that Americans won’t do…

24. #24
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am, walterc said:

    Another reason for me to not fly.

    My wife wants to go on a cruise, but she hasn’t figured out how to get me there without flying. We haven’t even had the discussion of the problems I have with going on a cruse ship.

    If I was rich I would be called eccentric. As it is, she thinks I’m just paranoid.

25. #25
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Jury duty in Houston means listening to presentations in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

    Which is funny, only those with English language proficiency can actually sit on a jury.

    Which is a good way for Mexican-Americans and Asian-Americans with better things to do to escape jury duty by claiming not to understand English during voir dire.

    Sadly, much harder for White and Black folks, unless they want to try the scene from “Trading Places”. “I’m from Sveden, Yah?”

26. #26
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am, Rip Ford said:

    They can’t read the manuals to fix your car, either.

    Yeah, but I’m pretty sure the manuals to fix my car don’t contain procedures that the engineers who wrote the manuals refer to as “engines turn or passengers swim.”

27. #27
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:32 am, Pasadena Phil said:

    We want pilots and aircraft mechanics who can empathize with flight. Airplanes are like the economy. Facts don’t matter. It’s all about wishful thinking and good intentions.

28. #28
    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am, DagneyT said:

    Thanks, Michelle. I can hardly wait for my next flight. /sarc

29. #29
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:01 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    News 8 discovered that mechanics at one licensing center in San Antonio were being tested in Spanish as late as last fall.

    Must be for all the airliner parts and systems developed in Mexico, Latin America and East LA. Fortunately I have no plans on flying anymore and will drive until they finally take away my carbon emitter truck. Not too sure how a golf cart will pull the trailer.

    But when an airliner does fall from the sky due to a language mix up remember this–someone saved a buck and diversity was served. John and Juan McHernandez can give the PC eulogy and Lindsay Graham can talk about greens fees.

30. #30
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    Part 61 of the FAA Regs.. which applies to pilots states that pilots must have the ability read, speak and understand the english language.

    The same applies to Mechanics here in ths US.

    FAR Part 65 Section 71
    (a) To be eligible for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings, a person must –

    (1) Be at least 18 years of age;

    (2) Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, or in the case of an applicant who does not meet this requirement and who is employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier, have his certificate endorsed “Valid only outside the United States”;

    Essentially, I know of NO area of Aviation in the US that does not require a person to read, speak and understand the English language.

    Anyone suspect this problem is related to the illegal immigration epidemic?

    How long before Obama dictates that aircraft maintenance manuals be bi-lingual and also come in bi-lingual audio book form (with associated pretty pictures of course).

31. #31
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:11 am, maisy said:

    Brian Ross of ABC had a piece on this a couple of years ago….about outsourcing mechanical repairs…….(And people wonder why I am afraid to fly!)

32. #32
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:17 am, cheapseat said:

    Now how you goan get dat cheap labor if you demand they gotta speak english, and read english, you must be dreamin, and write english. after all, dey been educated in our public schools whether they are legal or not. hell, they can’t read spanish, and the only thing they can write is their gang tags.

33. #33
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:27 am, ErinF said:

    This is all par for the course in obama’s America. A stupified public is a subservient public.

34. #34
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:50 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Part 61 of the FAA Regs.. which applies to pilots states that pilots must have the ability read, speak and understand the english language.

    Really too bad that doesn’t go for vehicle driver’s license here in CA. They can take the test in Spanish.

    Now tell me, WHAT ROAD SIGNS are in spanish? As in….ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER???????

    If they can’t understand the signs in English, how are they allowed to “pass” these tests in Spanish?

    Not like we have bi-lingual road signs (yet).

35. #35
    On May 18th, 2009 at 11:55 am, jbh45 said:

    Doing the work Americans won’t do…

36. #36
    On May 18th, 2009 at 12:04 pm, rightisright said:

    I can’t believe the FAA could be that friggin’ stupid. Then again, maybe I can.

    Did you really think it would be different, it is government work?

37. #37
    On May 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Great. I guess I’ll drive on my next trip to Europe…

38. #38
    On May 18th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, Ken M. said:

    Until the flying public is willing to pay something closer to the true cost of operating and maintenance, this is what we are going to get.

    Dating myself here, but, remember when going on a flight was a big deal, and you dressed up for it? (wear a tie, at least)?

    Now the only ones who are dressed properly are the Federal Air Marshalls — easier to be spotted by the hijackers, you know.

    Gordon Bethune, retired CEO of Continental, a licensed commercial pilot, and licensed Airframe & Powerplant mechanic, has a great quip: “…It’s a dysfunctional industry, where you’re only as good as your dumbest competitor…”

39. #39
    On May 18th, 2009 at 12:54 pm, Southpaw said:

    Repair manuals? We don’t need no stinking repair manuals.

40. #40
    On May 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm, CrazyFool said:

    Makes you wonder how many airline crashes in the past were because some mechanic couldn’t read the freaking repair manual.

    (in spanish)”Give me that hairpin from my girlfriend… Ifs its good enough for my 73 chevy its good enough for Boeing!”

41. #41
    On May 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm, mom2jack said:

    I’m flying Delta and Southwest over the next couple of months. At least I’ll feel fairly safe on at least one of the flights.

42. #42
    On May 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm, in_awe said:

    Just reading my CA Sample Ballot for tomorrow’s proposition special election.

    At the top of the first page it says:

    We are required to send your sample ballot in English…If you would like to receive a sample ballot in Chinese, Korean, Spanish or Vietnamese for this and future elections call (714)…

    This is repeated in each of the languages cited above. I recall the day when citizenship required a knowledge of English.

43. #43
    On May 18th, 2009 at 2:37 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    One of many reasons I haven’t been on a commercial airliner in over 20 years.

    You and Pelosi and Gore and Edwards and Kennedy and Kerry and McCain…

44. #44
    On May 18th, 2009 at 2:40 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    If you would like to receive a sample ballot in Chinese…

    …simply drop by the Registrar’s Office here at UC Berkely and pick it up along with your Engineering degree…

    Like the Chinese in California need literacy welfare.

45. #45
    On May 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Of course most of them go to Berkeley, not Berkely….

46. #46
    On May 18th, 2009 at 3:11 pm, 24Klady said:

    Some years ago, I had a friend that was a jet mechanic for one of the Big 3 airlines. He told me then that his employer was outsourcing some repairs to Canada, and their mechanics didn’t have to get background checks. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy if true. Never verified that, but haven’t flown with that carrier since. Anybody know?

47. #47
    On May 18th, 2009 at 5:24 pm, Pauldow said:

    Even if someone speaks English, it sometimes isn’t much help. JFK controllers are among the best in the world. I can’t figure out how they stay sane.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDEIvjwaFU

48. #48
    On May 18th, 2009 at 7:43 pm, lowandslow said:

    “FAA-certified aircraft repair stations”

    Those are the key words here. Repair stations fall under different regulations then certified mechanics. FAR Part 145 rules apply and nothing in those rules state anything about speaking English. In fact there are FAA certified repair stations around the world. There has to be, any work performed on an aircraft with a U.S. airworthiness certificate flying commercially can only be worked on by a U.S. certified mechanic or Repair Station meeting certain requirements.
    The personnel working at a Repair Station are not the ones certifying the work has been done in accordance with correct manuals, procedures and practices, that is done by someone certified as an inspector for the Repair Station.
    These is much to do about nothing when it comes down to FAA regulations and aviation safety. Immigration on the other hand…

49. #49
    On May 18th, 2009 at 8:05 pm, lowandslow said:

    I should also point out most FAA certified Repair Stations are very limited on the work they can preform. For instance, a repair station may only be allowed to re-web seatbelts or repair mufflers or overhaul vacuum pumps, etc., etc., so their isn’t a need for the personnel to have the training as a certified mechanic. The work is usually very limited in scope. It doesn’t take years of training to work a sewing machine to re-web seatbelts or reupholster a seat but it must be done by a FAA certified repair station.

50. #50
    On May 19th, 2009 at 12:11 am, Republicanvet said:

    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:10 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    They don’t need tech manual to keep early 1970s Monte Carlos running…

    Low Riiii Duh…..

    Ride a Litta Lowah….

51. #51
    On May 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am, Republicanvet said:

    On May 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Sadly, much harder for White and Black folks, unless they want to try the scene from “Trading Places”. “I’m from Sveden, Yah?”

    Yer crackin me up dude.

    Uff Dah.