Sad thing is that Richard Quest was one of the better guests. He was the only one to realize that this was an extreme outlier and that any kneejerk reaction would do nothing to enhance safety. So tired of the entire CNN lineup though- one stupid question/comment after another without a clue.

 

In my mind, Les Abend is the best one interviewed so far. Next are the former NTSB and FBI guys. The hosts, moderators, anchors, whatever you call 'em, seem way too occupied with hearing their own chatter and fawning over the pontifications of so-called experts like Quest and Schiavo instead of listening to real professionals like Abend. He, and others like him, have worked in the commercial aviation system for many years, have current real-world knowledge and experience in how it works (often in the same model of aircraft involved), and could make truly insightful comments if allowed. I guess they're not colorful enough. Back to the entertainers, folks, right after this...

Quest is a bit too bombastic and dogmatic for my taste, and I don't really think he's the aviation "expert" he purports to be. Maybe it's just the way he comes across.

Schiavo's credentials look good on paper, but some of things she says makes me wonder just how deep her aviation knowledge goes. I've never been impressed with her. I think she may be there more to keep the PC police happy and less to add anything useful to the conversation.

Another gripe I have with the "news" coverage is their mindless giving away of entirely too much information that should remain need-to-know. The exact details on how the cockpit security door works (with pictures!) is a blatant example. I'm almost surprised they didn't give out the door codes as well.

Unfortunately, all the networks are pretty much the same on this score. A little news, a lot of bloviating, go to commercial, repeat. Ad nauseam.

Please submit 2¢ for this totally unbiased appraisal.

 

You're wrong on the point of "disorders".

You may be mistaking eccentricity for pathology. Since pilots don't spend 50 hours/week in a building full of white-collar people with hierarchies and agendas they're not routinely "caged" on a daily basis by saturation in the establishment. They're free to form their own belief systems based on whatever wingnut websites they may like to frequent. Generally harmless but they sure can make you think "What The...??"

Many of them remind me of truck drivers I know...plenty of access to info, but no real discrimination as to the quality of the info.

This mainly applies to civilian-track pilots who've never done anything else but fly. Military and civilian career-changers have worked in organizations and typically have their gyros caged.

 

If I had to listen to people whining about how mommy didn't love me or how people just don't get me all day long, I'd off myself too.

 

Sure, Cooper and Dick Quest are just chock full of good ideas.

2008_04_quest2.jpgSo, CNN personality Richard Quest was arrested early Friday morning for drug possession when police found in Central Park well after the park's 1 a.m. curfew. Sure, the initial reports said Quest told police he was carrying methamphetamime in his pocket, but leave it to the NY Post to add the really detailed details.
Not only did Quest have drugs, he also had a "rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals, and a sex toy in his boot." That was so not in the NY Times' account. The Post also reported, "It wasn't immediately clear what the rope was for" and that "the officer at the scene was able to ID the drug because of 'his prior experience as a police officer in drug arrests, observation of packaging which is characteristic of this type of drug, and defendant's statements that... "I've got some meth in my pocket."'" Ha!
Quest, who was in jail most of yesterday, was charged with loitering and drug possession (but not lewdness because he wasn't exposed). His lawyer claimed Quest was "returning to his hotel with friends" and had no idea there was a curfew for the park. Quest will attend six months of drug counseling and if he stays out of trouble, the charges will be dismissed and his case sealed.

 

Not praising Quest- just liked that he was the lone voice that said sweeping Psych exams wouldnt do anything to enhance safety and that cameras in the flight deck are not always accurate. It does sound like he had a great night in Central Park though.