jetblaster

Current speculation is that APA issued the press release because Joe and Jan are likely to be released very soon. Let's hope that is the case.

CAL EWR

Lets hope that is true. However I have been in contract since last week with APA about a press release THANK YOU APA!

Click here: Welcome to the Allied Pilots Association

Pilotpip

While you guys are at it, start putting pressure on Embraer. If company pilots were on that legacy, why aren't they speaking up? Perhaps turning on one of Brazil's larger economic entities will help.

I've emailed every House and Senate member in Missouri as well as any representatives and senators elect.

B757200ER

Yeah, if other countries were hesitant to purchase Embraer products, for fear of being detained unlawfully if anything happened when they went to pick up their new ERJ, that might strike a chord in Brazil's government.

This situation sort of reminds me of the middle east; if you're in a car wreck or some other traffic incident, the foreigner is always at fault, and the local is always innocent. Strange way of enforcing the law, but it does happen. Looks like Brazil has that playbook, unfortunately.

jetblaster

From LGA APA Domicile Chairman Sam Mayer:



Fellow LGA Pilots,


We have heard from the wife of ExcelAir Captain Joe Lapore, who along with furloughed LGA First Officer Jan Paladino have been detained by the Brazillian authorities since the tragic mid-air accident with their business jet and a Brazilian passenger airliner in September. She just wanted to let us know that Joe and Jan have recieved the OK from their legal teams to ask us to put the pressure on the US Government to try and get Joe and Jan home. I've attached a document that includes the names of a few key politicians from their districts along with a sample letter you can FAX or email. Please take the time to send it off, and also please pass this along to anyone you think might help.


Thank you!!


Sam


CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Fax: 202-228-0282
Phone: 202-224-4451

Congressman Peter King
[email protected]
436 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-7896
202-226-2279

Senator Charles Schumer
757 Third Ave.
Suite 17-02
New York, NY 10017
Fax:202-228-3027

Gary Ackerman
2243 Rayburn Office Buildinglace
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-2601
202-225-1580 (fax)

Joe's local Congressman is:
Congressman Steve Israel
432 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone - 202-225-3335
Fax - 202-225-4669


SAMPLE LETTER
Nov. xx, 2006

Dear xx (senator or congressman)


We are writing to engage your assistance in the return of Jan Paladino and Joe Lepore, two professional pilots from New York, who have been unlawfully detained in Brazil for more than six weeks.


Brazilian authorities continue to hold their passports since their involvement in a mid-air collision on September 29th, despite the fact that there has been no evidence to suggest that these pilots caused this tragic accident.


They have been prevented from returning home to their families, without any charges, in violation of Brazilian law, and international aviation treaties.
Sadly, Brazilian government officials have tried to scapegoat these pilots to conceal the shortcomings in their own aviation system. Air safety depends on the integrity of accident investigations. Without free and open discourse championed by ICAO and such internationally respected organizations as the Flight Safety Foundation, the cause of air safety is impaired.


This heavy-handed treatment of these New York pilots, while they are fully cooperating with authorities, is unfair and impedes the aviation investigation and threatens the safety of air travelers throughout Brazil.


We ask for your prompt assistance in helping to bring these honorable pilots home.


Regards,
Xxx

jetblaster

It is increasingly apparent that any and all of us who fly to Brazil are exposed to this type of tactic. Therefore, starting tomorrow, I will refuse all flight assignments into Brazil, based on the APA stated position. I will seek other airline pilots to do the same...until those pilots are released....as this CANNOT STAND.

Jetblaster

MikeB525

You're my kinda guy, Jetblaster. Give 'em Hell.

loubetti

Brazil is well-known for having a rather corrupt government (yes, even compared to the USA!). They are also, at best, just marginal allies of ours, and I am being kind by saying "marginal".

This comes as no surprise, and I have no doubt they (Brazil) are / were trying for a cover up.

If they pull it off against these pilots then just tax Embraer aircraft sold to US airlines at a rate of 250% and that should pretty much get the pilots released.

After all, why would I want to spend money in Brazil on one of their aircraft, only to have their ATC send a Boeing 737 into it, then have my pilots detained while Brazil tries to cover up their ATC error with outlandish accusations?

Anyone who believes what Brazilian officials are saying probably also thinks KLM's captain Van Zanten was just sitting still at the end of the runway when the Pan Am 747 ran into him on the takeoff roll!

This is total nonsense on Brazil's part, and just proves how good the FAA looks (yes, I said that) in comparison to other countries.

1Seat 1Engine

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlates...232039,00.html

Velocipede

Unfortunately, Brazil isn't the only country whose politicos knee-jerk to filing criminal charges against pilots for aircraft accidents. Japan and Korea come to mind for the same action. This is the real issue. Aircraft accidents should not be treated as such unless they result from direct criminal actions (like 9-11).

That said, what do you expect from politicians who are uneducated in aviation and aviation safety issues? If they can successfully prosecute individuals, that negates any liability the Brazilian ATC system and the Embrarer Company would have in the accident.