In my mind, Les Abend is the best one interviewed so far. Next are the former NTSB and FBI guys. The hosts, moderators, anchors, whatever you call 'em, seem way too occupied with hearing their own chatter and fawning over the pontifications of so-called experts like Quest and Schiavo instead of listening to real professionals like Abend. He, and others like him, have worked in the commercial aviation system for many years, have current real-world knowledge and experience in how it works (often in the same model of aircraft involved), and could make truly insightful comments if allowed. I guess they're not colorful enough. Back to the entertainers, folks, right after this...

Quest is a bit too bombastic and dogmatic for my taste, and I don't really think he's the aviation "expert" he purports to be. Maybe it's just the way he comes across.

Schiavo's credentials look good on paper, but some of things she says makes me wonder just how deep her aviation knowledge goes. I've never been impressed with her. I think she may be there more to keep the PC police happy and less to add anything useful to the conversation.

Another gripe I have with the "news" coverage is their mindless giving away of entirely too much information that should remain need-to-know. The exact details on how the cockpit security door works (with pictures!) is a blatant example. I'm almost surprised they didn't give out the door codes as well.

Unfortunately, all the networks are pretty much the same on this score. A little news, a lot of bloviating, go to commercial, repeat. Ad nauseam.

Please submit 2¢ for this totally unbiased appraisal.