Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
That sounds like complete chickenstuff. It that story was true, I'm thinking your friend is telling you only the part he wants you to hear, and leaving out a few pesky details (like departing with an open MEL that requires dispatcher approval or something similar).
I've never once in 18 years here actually met someone who got the proverbial 30 days off. I'm sure that it happens but it would have to be in cases far more egregious than not getting a new release following a quick gate return. In your friend's case, was there no NASA form or ASAP recourse?
I remember once we left the gate and after 10 feet of movement returned to the gate to resolve a passenger issue. Five minutes after that we were under way again. Are you saying we were at risk of a 30 day ticket suspension? I'm just not buying that.
I have no idea what you were at risk for in that situation. I do know a pilot at Delta who got 1 year off for a dispatch issue however as you mention it involved MEL's and other issues.
The 30 day also involved a passenger issue that escalated and in the course of the investigation it came out that they were not released after blocking back in.
Another pilot I know at Delta got 30 days off for removing the seatbelt from the Jumpseat and using it for a passenger who's belt would not buckle on a full flight. Seemed extreme to me but you never know what the FAA is going to do.
In the case of both Delta suspensions the company paid the pilots the reserve guarantee while suspended because they felt they were trying to do the right thing. I doubt many airlines would do that.