Comments on: Airline insecurity tale of the morning

By: Republicanvet

Republicanvet — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:13:22 +0000

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.

By: Republicanvet

Republicanvet — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:11:26 +0000

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….

By: lowandslow

lowandslow — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:05:12 +0000

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.

By: lowandslow

lowandslow — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:43:35 +0000

“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…

By: Pauldow

Pauldow — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:24:30 +0000

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

By: 24Klady

24Klady — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:11:12 +0000

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?

By: AlohaGuy

AlohaGuy — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:41:34 +0000

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

By: AlohaGuy

AlohaGuy — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:40:36 +0000

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.

By: AlohaGuy

AlohaGuy — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:37:13 +0000

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…

By: Feel “safe” flying? Well, you obviously have’t read this story | Fire Andrea Mitchell!

Mon, 18 May 2009 18:36:16 +0000

[...] has recently revealed serious flaws in the way the FAA licenses mechanics who fix planes (h/t Michelle Malkin). Heres info from their [...]

By: in_awe

in_awe — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:01:12 +0000

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.

By: mom2jack

mom2jack — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:55:53 +0000

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.

By: CrazyFool

CrazyFool — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:45:51 +0000

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!”

By: Southpaw

Southpaw — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:54:58 +0000

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

By: Ken M.

Ken M. — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:48:10 +0000

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…”