4 ms·

I was referring specifically to the Germanwings incident. That pilot shouldn't have been in the cockpit to begin with - his eyesight was failing, he had mental

by janoc 6y ago

I was referring specifically to the Germanwings incident. That pilot shouldn't have been in the cockpit to begin with - his eyesight was failing, he had mental problems (has been medically treated for suicidal tendencies), etc. This was not discovered nor identified, due to deficiencies in the system (doctors didn't have the duty to report this, he withheld the information from his employer, etc.) The issue with the door was only the last element of the chain. There were changes as the result of this incident - the cabin crew member has to be in the cockpit whenever one of the pilots steps out, there were changes to how the doors operate, etc.

confidantlake 6y ago
The change to require a cabin crew member in the cockpit is a good one. Not really sure what you can about the suicidal tendencies. If you make pilots report medical treatment for suicidal tendencies, they aren't going to seek treatment for suicidal tendencies.
- janoc 6y ago
  That should have been reported by the doctor. Lubitz (the pilot) was denied an American license for this before - and somehow it wasn't caught/discovered when he got the Lufthansa/Germanwings job. Or nobody has followed up on it. On the day of the crash he was not supposed to be on the plane at all - a paper from the doctors was found at his place after the crash declaring him unfit for duty. He kept it from his employer and it wasn't reported by the doctors neither (they didn't have the duty to do so), so the airline had no idea. Making a few of the holes in the cheese align nicely. Pilots have the obligation to report when they are unfit for duty already, (no matter what the reason, being treated for a psychiatric problem certainly applies, though). What was/is missing is the obligation of doctors to report such important issue to the employer when the crewman is unfit. It could be argued that it would be an invasion of privacy but there are precedents for this - e.g. failed medicals are routinely being reported to the authorities (not just for pilots - also for car drivers, gun holders, etc. where the corresponding licenses are then suspended), as are discoveries of e.g. child abuse.
vlovich123 6y ago
Any examinations of whether or not the job itself has properties that might cause the medical issues?

by janoc 6y ago

confidantlake 6y ago

The change to require a cabin crew member in the cockpit is a good one. Not really sure what you can about the suicidal tendencies. If you make pilots report medical treatment for suicidal tendencies, they aren't going to seek treatment for suicidal tendencies.

janoc 6y ago
That should have been reported by the doctor. Lubitz (the pilot) was denied an American license for this before - and somehow it wasn't caught/discovered when he got the Lufthansa/Germanwings job. Or nobody has followed up on it. On the day of the crash he was not supposed to be on the plane at all - a paper from the doctors was found at his place after the crash declaring him unfit for duty. He kept it from his employer and it wasn't reported by the doctors neither (they didn't have the duty to do so), so the airline had no idea. Making a few of the holes in the cheese align nicely. Pilots have the obligation to report when they are unfit for duty already, (no matter what the reason, being treated for a psychiatric problem certainly applies, though). What was/is missing is the obligation of doctors to report such important issue to the employer when the crewman is unfit. It could be argued that it would be an invasion of privacy but there are precedents for this - e.g. failed medicals are routinely being reported to the authorities (not just for pilots - also for car drivers, gun holders, etc. where the corresponding licenses are then suspended), as are discoveries of e.g. child abuse.

vlovich123 6y ago

Any examinations of whether or not the job itself has properties that might cause the medical issues?