LuvJockey

Anybody have any specifics on this?

WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - U.S. aviation regulators proposed on Wednesday $9.2 million in safety related fines against US Airways Group (LCC.N) and UAL Corp's United Airlines (UAUA.O), officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a $5.4 million fine against US Airways for allegedly operating eight planes while out of compliance with certain safety directives or its own maintenance programs.

The proposed $3.8 million fine against United alleged the airline flew one plane on more than 200 flights after violating its own maintenance procedures.

paxhauler85

Seems none of us can keep our airplanes in compliance.

H46Bubba

The main problem is that the airlines have scaled back it's mx employee workforce and has overburdened those who are left with increased workloads.

Tinpusher007

Serves them right. The airlines need to learn that cutting corners on safety is no way to be profitable. Investing in employees and offering a product that the public actually wants to purchase would give them much better returns.

CHQ Pilot

I can't seem to post the full article from the WSJ, but the highlights were that UAL self disclosed to the FAA. One of the problems was they used shop towels instead of protective caps to cover openings in the oil sump pump area on a 737. Although it didn't really say specifically, it alluded that it was during an engine run and not on any revenue flights.

USAirways' problems was that they didn't comply with what sounds like an AD on the E190 Cargo Doors so that they wouldn't open in flight. The other issues were with not inspecting for cracks on the landing gear on some A320s. They had other issues with the integration of maintenance between USAirways and America West leading to missed inspections and records on aircraft that were operated for more than 1700 flights.

That is pretty much a rundown of some of the facts published which lead to the fine.

LuvJockey

It seems ridiculous to fine an airline for a problem that was self disclosed.

But of course, I might be biased...

Rabid Seagull

Here's the meat of it...oh, and using towels instead of caps for 5 months. Yup, this is gonna be an easy appeal



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. aviation regulators proposed on Wednesday $9.2 million of combined safety-related fines against US Airways Group and UAL Corp's United Airlines , officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $5.4 million penalty against US Airways for operating eight planes while out of compliance with certain safety directives or its own maintenance programs.
The FAA proposed to fine United $3.8 million for operating a Boeing 737 on more than 200 flights after violating its own maintenance procedures on engine work.
Fines can be reduced on appeal, an option available to both airlines.
In United's case, the FAA said airline mechanics in April 2008 found two towels, instead of protective caps, covering an oil sump compartment inside one of the 737's two engines. The towels apparently had been in place since the previous December.
In the US Airways case, the FAA said it flew eight aircraft on 1,647 flights between October 2008 and January 2009 that were not in compliance with required safety inspections. Two of the directives required inspections of Airbus A320s for cracks on a landing gear part.
US Airways said in a statement it would work with the FAA to "achieve a negotiated resolution" of the agency's proposed penalty. The incidents cited by the FAA occurred during the carrier's integration of maintenance systems and it was working with the FAA to correct any problems, US Airways said.

paxhauler85

Hahaha, I get it, and I like it.

KC10 FATboy

This IS NOT completely the airlines fault. Yes, I said it. This is the fault of the American people who want something for nothing and has been a growing problem over the past few generations. We are a greedy people, and our kids are spoiled brats. The lack of respect for a dollar and ourselves is disgusting.

The airlines have been doing everything they can to try and survive in this cut throat industry. Mistakes are being made and our employees are suffering. This is the fault of the FAA. Enforcement of existing laws lapsed and the airlines got away with shortcuts. It is time we as American's demand more from the FAA. The FAA employees make very good money and they're not keeping up their end of the bargain.

Sadly, these little fines aren't going to fix the problem. Until we as a society understand that it is unreasonable to overnight a widget on FedEx/UPS $40 but expect the same pricing for yourself or your family, and the FAA levies steep fines against airlines who comprimise safety, nothing with change.

I don't want to pick a fight with the employees of SWA. You all run a very good airline and are very well respected/envied. And I'm sure all airlines have cut corners somewhere ... it's only a matter of time that the others get caught. However, I was disappointed to see the SWA employees were very casual about their recent maintenance issues. In fact, many were lock step and foot with the company line that they didn't do anything wrong or unsafe. This is completely ludicrous. Your company knowingly flew jets that didn't have required inspections due to safety issued that developed with other 737 operators. I would be FURIOUS that my company knowingly allowed me to fly a jet that wasn't airworthy ... even after notifying the FAA, continued to do so. I hope the employees of UAL and US Air get fired up about their latest maintenance woes. It doesn't make the mistake acceptable if we self report.

We as employees can't let our company do stupid things. If the American public is going to continue to expect to pay nickel and dimes for an airline ticket, then we are going to have protect them and ourselves from our companies who are going to try and do everything they can to save a buck.

katana

Right on. Too many competition and customers will spend hours online trying to save dollar or two. So airlines has to find a way to sell those seats by lowering a cost from somewhere. These are MX, customer service, pilots, etc. So sad that pax's are risking their lives just to save a dollar.