The only systemic problem this exposed was that the time of Airline Pilot has passed. We're in an electronic age and we can't afford dinosaurs like a monthly magazine.

As far as the reportage goes, it was sloppy, but it was a fluff piece, not real reporting. Yes, some phone calls should have been made to verify Martins' background, but who would have figured the guy would knowingly set himself up to be exposed. If a guy I'm flying with says something about his past, I take them at their word. Steenbilk should have done more, that's his job, but I can see how it happened.

In the end, I think Martins' should have played it off like he was trying to goof on the ALPA mag. Not a good option, but better than "I made it all up."