Letter to Secretary LaHood/Gulfstream EAS-MT
 

The Honorable Ray LaHood
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I have recently become aware of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to award Essential Air Service (EAS) routes to Gulfstream International Airlines (GIA) to serve cities in Eastern Montana. As you know, GIA also serves several small communities in the Northeast under the EAS program. What follows is language from the DOT Order granting GIA an EAS route into Eastern Montana:
The carrier-selection decision is straightforward. GulfStream has years of experience providing scheduled air service and continues to increase its participation in the EAS program. While GulfStream requires about $200,000 in additional subsidy, that increment is spread over seven communities, or less than $30,000 per community. . . . Given the rather small difference in subsidy on a per-community basis, we will defer to the communities’ views in this case.
Carrier Fitness 49 U.S.C. 41737(b) requires that we find an air carrier fit, willing, and able to provide reliable service before we may subsidize it to provide essential air service. Gulfstream is subject to the Department's continuing fitness requirements, and no information has come to our attention that would cause us to question the carrier's fitness at this time. We have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, and it has raised no concerns that would negatively affect our fitness finding. We therefore conclude that the carrier remains fit to conduct the operations proposed here.
As a former captain for Gulfstream International Airlines, I believe that this matter was not given proper due diligence by DOT or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Last November, GIA filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. As of this letter, GIA is still operating under the jurisdiction of a federal bankruptcy court. Such filing casts doubt on GIA’s financial fitness, in contrast to the DOT Order. In addition, in 2009, GIA was fined $1.3 million by the FAA for multiple safety violations, including for altering flight, duty, and rest times for pilots. At the time, this was the largest fine ever for a regional carrier. It is important to note that Gulfstream did not attempt to challenge these charges in federal court. GIA eventually settled with the FAA on an actual fine of $500,000, payable over five years. This is despite the fact that a team of FAA investigators recommended the company’s operating certificate be revoked in 2008 due to multiple and systemic safety violations.
Secretary LaHood, the evidence compiled by the team of FAA investigators – most of which I have acquired through FOIA – only tells part of the story. While I was still employed as a captain by GIA, I wasn’t simply asked to violate Federal safety regulations to cut costs – I was ordered to on several occasions. Several other pilots confirmed to me that they endured similar experiences. Most of these pilots refused to be interviewed by the FAA investigators – mainly out of fear of the negative impact this information could have on their careers. Several company mechanics personally told me of the pressure put on them by management to sign off work – including required inspections – that was never completed, with full knowledge and blessing of GIA’s management.
In addition to the reasons for the $1.3 million proposed fine, I have obtained additional information through FOIA that shows that operating engine time records on several of the company’s fleet of Beechcraft 1900’s were also altered. The majority of these altered records favor the company’s bottom line: the actual times recorded on the engines have been artificially reduced, which saves the company money in maintenance costs and inspections. This also makes the life-limited parts in the engines untraceable. Importantly, the FAA obtained records showing the altered engine times after it completed its investigation into my whistleblower complaint. Yet, FAA officials apparently declined to base the $1.3 million fine on these critical safety violations.
Secretary LaHood, the responsibility of an airline pilot cannot be understated. The lives of dozens, if not hundreds, of passengers are trusted in the hands of one or two individuals who are willing to accept that responsibility. When a pilot feels his job – even a career – might be at risk if he does not follow the orders of company management to knowingly violate a safety regulation to cut costs, the entire system obviously becomes degraded. In my experience as a pilot at Gulfstream International Airlines, this happens far more than it should.
I realize these are serious charges, but I have personally experienced what I, as well as many others, understand to be is a toxic culture at this airline. I still speak to pilots who currently fly for GIA, and they tell me that, if anything, the culture is worse now than it was when I was terminated. If, by firing me, the company’s management was trying to intimidate other employees to remain silent when it comes to safety-of-flight issues, they appear to have succeeded. Please take this information seriously, and conduct a full investigation of this company before awarding Gulfstream International Airlines any further tax subsidies.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing safety matter.

Sincerely,

Capt. Kenny Edwards
Former Regional Airline Captain
Gulfstream International Airlines


Capt. Patrick Hart
Former Regional Airline Captain
Gulfstream International Airlines

Dan Brisco
Former Lead Mechanic
Gulfstream International Airlines

Mary Hebig
Former Crew Scheduler
Gulfstream International Airlines

That ought to get somebody's attention. Thanks for taking the time to make a stand, and putting your name on it.

Tony

If that comment was directed to me, I didn't write the letter. I do, however, agree with your comments.

I agree with some of the above . And i am sure there are many accurate points , But man Kenny Edwards needs to give it up and find a new purpose in life other than attempting to harm a small airline that is almost gone anyways.

This guy has been trying way past the point of foolishness ,

And I promise everyone reading these forums has had a flight where dispatch or scheduling asked them to do something that wasnt quite legal. Gee wiz welcome to the regionals

And I guess the regionals will continue to do stuff that isn't "quite legal" until someone stands up to them, right?

When human lives are on the line, I try to limit my efforts to 15 minutes or less.

(Sarcasm)

A well thought out and intelligent comment. :rolleyes:

(also sarcasm)

Its about time someone speaks out about this place....I flew here twice in my career and it was always something...Geez why can't they die already! Its way past their time.

Hopefully this was also distributed to the major news organizations as well. If the USAToday saw this, they would be chomping at the bits to run another anti-airline story.

very nice write up