Originally Posted by
Gjn290
Where is the line between oversight and harassment drawn? I have seen the absolute lowest scum of the 135 operators skate by, one where countless pilots went to the FSDO about unsafe practices and concerns. Where did it lead to? Nowhere. On the other side of the scale I have seen the rare 135 operator, the one who abides by the rules and regulations, be, what I call, harassed -- or perhaps that is actually proper regulation of a 135 certificate. So forgive me for my lack of confidence in the FAA for wanting one level of safety.
Everyone knows who the bad 135 operators are, including the FAA, and yet they continue with unsafe and illegal operations day in and day out, with no end in sight. Perhaps it's time for the FAA to start making examples out of a few bad operators, then the others may fall in line and then the one level of safety concept could have a chance to succeed. However, until the big man puts his foot down it will never happen.
That's an issue, no doubt, but usually it's a lack of evidence or the ability to prove wrong-doing, not that there isn't wrong-doing. There always has to be something solid, some forged document, some incorrect record, some way to prove it. If there was still clear wrong doing and there seemed to be nothing being done, one would be justified in contacting the FAA region, which handles things like the FSDO, it's just the FSDO's "bosses". On the other hand, 135 is a risk, there is less oversight than 121, sometimes everything seems ok and then something bad happens, with no prior indicators. I can tell you that new methods of gathering data and refinements are being made constantly and being put into effect(well, not while it's shut down!). None of these guarantee anything, but the risk of 135 in general is known. 135 certificates do get suspended or revoked, it has happened before, I'm sure it will happen again. After not wanting to see anyone injured or killed, what I also don't want to see are any young pilots that ruin their careers by getting a violation working for these operators. Unfortunately, those types of operators you mention sometimes see these pilots as expendable resources that can be replaced. I doubt the pilots see it the same way, and now with PRIA and database checks, those types of actions have a huge repercussion to one's career.