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Monthly Archives: June 2009
Proposed Bill Could Mean Carry-On Restrictions.
You might have thought that it was just the airlines that were trying to get you with the carry-on rules, but it may end up being the government too. U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski, a Democrat from Illinois, has introduced a bill into congress that would limit the size of carry-on bags. Flight attendants appear to be supporting the bill, meanwhile airlines are a bit cautious on the issue – it’s another law for them to enforce.
However, Lipinski says that the bill would not be enforced by carriers, but instead by the Transportation Security Administration. The new rules would not allow for bags that exceed the following dimensions: 20″ by 18″ by 10″. TSA would use templates on the screening devices to ensure that the bags were the proper size.
“You’ve got people lugging huge bags aboard taking up more than their fair share of space, and whoever gets on last as a result is forced to check a bag,” said Nathaniel Zimmer, a spokesman for Lipinski. “The bigger the bag, the higher the likelihood of some sort of injury.”
Interestingly enough, the size limitations is a good median between what U.S. airlines already use under their carry-on rules. Delta limits customers to a smaller carry-on size, while others, like AirTran, allow larger bags on-board.
To me, it’s just a bad idea. I understand that this bill could “help”, but it hinders more than it helps. The biggest concern is security. TSA already has a tough time managing what’s in people’s bags, and now they have to measure them? Additionally, what about the carriers? Some airlines can’t handle that size due to the overhead bin sizes on various aircraft. The airline policy reflects the aircraft in the airline’s fleet. This appears as an attempt to nudge in a regulation to the airline industry – a regulation that the carriers do not need, nor do they want. The airline-managed system is fine. Despite what the representative says, I don’t see this as a large enough hazard to put government limits on baggage size for carry-ons.
United Cutting 600 Flight Attendants.
United Airlines announced on Monday that they plan to cut 600 additional flight attendant jobs, effective August 31. Among the U.S.’s largest carriers, United appears to be doing the worst, as they continue their spiral as demand continues to be in a slump. The move means that United will be reducing their workforce by 16 percent.
United is not the only carrier caught up in the cutting. American Airlines has big cuts that will become effective sometime in October (I want to say Oct. 1). US Airways announced that they’re accepting voluntary layoffs, but unfortunately it looks as though there will always be a good few that will have to be cut, whether they like it or not.
If capacity is being cut, you would have to think that the work force would have to be reduced as well, and that’s exactly what’s happening. It’s tough luck for the aviation industry, as many of the positions involved usually use specifically trained individuals. Once the economy gets back on its feet, and air travel starts to get big again, I’m sure many of those furloughed will be called back in no time.
Posted in Airlines
Tagged American Airlines, Flight Attendants, United Airlines, US Airways
The Age Debate for Pilots.
Following the death of Craig Lenell, the 60-year-old pilot that died Thursday while piloting a Continental Boeing 777 from Brussels to Newark, the public has generated concern over the age limit for pilots. Backed by the speculation-friendly media, the public has brought the age case back; an issue that Congress ruled over not long ago in 2007, as they raised the retirement age from 60 to 65. I have had several friends and family members ask me about the retirement age debate, so I will explain my point of view.
Medical Certification
I’ll start by bringing up the medical standards described by FAR Part 67. For pilots, there are three classes of medical certificates, all issued by an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner (AME). First Class is designated for airline transport pilots, and this is the class that we’re concerned with at the moment. Note: Graph that was previously available innacurately showed the breakdown of months.
The First Class medical certificate FAR Part 67.101-67.115, for all you out there that own the handbook, lists requirements for the following areas: eye, ear / nose / throat / equilibrium, mental, neurologic, cardiovascular (which I’ll focus on), general medical condition, and discretionary issuance.
Under the cardiovascular standards, there must be no established medical history or clinical diagnoses of any of the following: myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease that has required treatment / if untreated has been symptomatic or clinically significant, cardiac valve replacement, permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation or heart replacement. Those applying for First Class medical certificates “must demonstrate an absence of myocardial infarction and other clinically significant abnormality on electrocardiographic examination.” In plain English, the cardiovascular area of the examination is fairly stringent. Considering that this checkup is done every 6 months for airline transport pilots, I’d say that the FAA keeps a close eye on pilots and signs of aging.
Age vs. Experience
Airline captains onboard flights have proven themselves to be experienced, and I’m leaning more towards the big airlines, not as much for the regionals (although I must say that regional captains are experienced pilots too). Allow me to bring up US Airways flight 1549 – yes, the plane that landed on the Hudson that Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger flew with First Officer Jeffrey Skiles. Captain Sullenberger is a pilot that I think most people would like to have as their pilot. Why? Well, he’s experienced and he’s proven himself to be a great pilot. How old is he? He’s 58 years old. Pilots gain experience as time moves forward, but reaching the median between age and experience is something the public must be aware of.
Conclusion
The FAA has a good hold on distribution of medical certificates to pilots. I’ve been through the third class check-up, but I know that the first class holds pilots to much higher standards in contrast to the third class. I firmly believe that medical examiners are acutely looking at pilots and their performance during these exams, and they are making good judgements on pilots.
Older pilots are more experienced – there is no argument there. However there is a point in a pilot’s career when experience gets overlapped by age, but I do not believe that is usually above the age of 65. I hate to sound like I’m taking both sides of the argument, but I think a median age (like 62) would be a better retirement age.
What do you think about the pilot retirement age? Is it good as-is at the age of 65, or should it be lowered? Your comments are always welcome.
Tagged Continental Airlines, Craig Lenell, FAA, Medical, Pilots, Sullenberger, Sully, Travel
