FAA proposed levying multimillion-dollar fines

[Tim]

WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday proposed levying multimillion-dollar fines against United Airlines and US Airways for safety violations, including flying a plane after mechanics stuffed shop towels into an engine.

The agency said it has proposed a $5.4 million fine against US Airways of Tempe, Arizona, for operating eight planes on a total of 1,647 flights from October 2008 to January 2009 in violation of safety directives or the company's own maintenance rules.

The agency also said it is proposing a $3.8 million fine against United of Chicago for operating one of its Boeing 737 aircraft on more than 200 flights with shop towels covering openings near where oil collects in the bottom of the engine instead of using protective caps required by the carrier's maintenance procedures.

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[The Old Fogducker]

"Holy catfish Andy ... those guys mean business!"

Some pretty big name airlines in that story, and some pretty stupid decisions described.

Don't worry about the integrity of our Canadian passengers and airspace though, SMS will solve those type of problems and nip them in the bud. If for some reason SMS fails to remedy the issue, the Enforcement Branch will continue to investigate matters as they have in the past. There wouldn't be a soul on staff who would dare consider making a decision based upon economic factors over safety concerns once SMS is truly up and running.

Once SMS is well and truly woven into the fabric of a company, especially 703 and 704 operations where profit margins are so wide, the culture of these companies will morph into a far more "touchy-feely" social engineering experiment contrived by the same people who brought you midnight candlelight vigils for world peace.

The Old Fogducker

[beaverbob]

Oh Fog ducker, You really got me on the funny bone with that one.
Bob

[wabano]

Hey! What's a million bucks between friends... Obama from Mombasa
will soon turn the USA into Zimbabwe pronto!!!
Piece of cake for a guy born in Kenya from a Mau Mau cannibal!

[b1ngnx33]

What's wrong with shop towels in an engine?

Everyone does it.

Maybe I heard wrong...

[Panama Jack]

Wonder if that $100 billion dollar note is even worth the paper it is written on? Perhaps the Chinese will be buying them up as an economic alternative to the funny-money they burn during funeral ceremonies?