Danke, do something

Ten years after a collision with Canada geese forced airline pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger to make his dramatic emergency landing on the Hudson River, pilots and airports report as many bird strikes as ever.
Civilian flights based in the USA reported 14,661 collisions with wildlife in 2018, a USA TODAY analysis of Federal Aviation Administration data shows. That's more than 40 a day, tying the previous year's record.
The strikes have been blamed in more than 106 civilian deaths worldwide over the past two decades, according to British and Canadian researchers. They cause about $1.2 billion a year in damage.
Why so many collisions? Analysts cite several factors: an increase in flights; changing migratory patterns; bigger, faster, quieter turbofan-powered aircraft, which give birds less time to get out of the way.


Bird strikes are about 98 percent of wildlife strikes reported to federal officials, but the database includes hundreds of contacts with other animals, usually at smaller airports.
The FAA received 40 reports last year of planes hitting coyotes, 35 involving turtles or tortoises and 24 deer.
In Florida, it's not unheard of for a plane on the runway to encounter an alligator.

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/birds-strike-airplanes-us-more-193143640.html

I hit a turkey vulture in Texas going ~400mph. Almost took my head off. So there, Danke did something.
 
A fire engulfed more than a dozen cars at Newark Airport in New Jersey on Thursday morning, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.
Aerial footage from ABC7 New York showed around 15 vehicles in flames at the rooftop car park, close to terminal C.
The fire department quickly brought it under control. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said no injuries have been reported, and airport operations are running as normal.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/newark-airport-least-dozen-vehicles-131500747.html

Because everything is normal in Newark when there are 15 cars ablaze ?
 
Looks like Danke did something...

(NEWSER) – If you were booked on Flight AA35 out of the UK's Manchester Airport on Thursday morning, you may have been annoyed at your last-minute rebooking. Reading the news Friday, however, should ease your mind that the right call was made. USA Today reports that the American Airlines flight to Philly was canceled not because of mechanical or weather issues, but because of a conundrum with the pilot: He appeared to be intoxicated. "Officers attended and a 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of performing an aviation function when over the prescribed limit of alcohol," a Greater Manchester Police rep tells the Manchester Evening News.

The pilot—one of three set to man the flight, per CBS Philadelphia—was apparently removed just minutes before the plane was due to take off: Departure was set for 11:05am, and cops got the call just before 11. The flight was nixed, and passengers were rebooked on "alternative flights," per the airline. "Safety is our highest priority and we apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans." The unidentified pilot is now out on bail.

http://www.newser.com/story/271041/american-air-flight-from-london-axed-after-pilots-arrest.html
 
[MENTION=6186]Danke[/MENTION] Another split tail flames out...

First female Viper demo team pilot relieved of command after two weeks

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/...per-demo-team-pilot-relieved-after-two-weeks/

Capt. Zoe Kotnik, the first female pilot to head the F-16 Viper demonstration team, was relieved of command Monday.

“Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing commander, relieved Capt. Zoe Kotnik from command Feb. 11 due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead and command the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper demonstration team,” said Col. Allen Herritage, director of public affairs at ACC, in a statement. “The Viper demonstration team is working to minimize impacts on scheduled performances and looks forward to inspiring crowds around the country during the upcoming season as soon as a new commander is selected.”

Herritage would not comment further on what led to Kotnik’s removal, citing privacy concerns.

The 20th, which is located at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, said in an email to Air Force Times that Kotnik declined to comment.

In a statement on Shaw’s Facebook page, O’Malley alluded to “mistakes” on Kotnik’s part, but expressed hope that she will continue to serve in the Air Force.

“We have thousands of airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect,” O’Malley said. “As good people, like Capt. Kotnik, make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny and to continue to be a part of this great service. They’ll be better for the experience, and in turn, we’ll be better as an Air Force.”

“In these types of situations, I never forget that we’re dealing with real human beings, that I care deeply about, and that we are charged to take care of,” O’Malley continued. “This will be a difficult time for Capt. Kotnik, but she’s surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way.”

Kotnik, an F-16C pilot whose call sign is “SiS,” was certified as the Viper team leader by ACC commander Gen. Mike Holmes on Jan. 29. She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011, earned her wings in 2013, and has more than 1,000 flying hours in military aircraft. She deployed to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea for a year, from February 2015 to February 2016. She also has flown air defense missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle.
 
Southwest Airlines on Friday morning issued a blunt memo to hundreds of the carrier’s mechanics.
The memo, which came Lonnie Warren, Southwest's senior director of tech ops production, declared what the low-fare carrier called a “state of operational emergency.”
The Chicago Business Journal obtained a copy of the memo, sent to 277 mechanics based in Houston and 167 mechanics in Orlando, Florida. The same memo also was distributed to 375 Southwest mechanics based in Phoenix and another 80 based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Some 2,400 mechanics work full time for Southwest. All Southwest mechanics belong to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
Warren wrote in the memo: “We have been experiencing an unusually high number of out-of-service aircraft over the last few days. Due to this number of out of service aircraft, our operation requires all of our scheduled aircraft maintenance technicians and inspectors. We have an obligation to our customers and to our fellow employees to safely and efficiently run our operation.”
Then Warren’s memo turned tougher. Warren said any mechanics “alleging illness” will require a doctor’s note on their first day back, and went on to say that “failure to comply may be considered insubordination and abuse of sick leave which could result in termination.”
Other clauses in Warren's memo used the same insubordination and termination verbiage in regards to vacation time and company-mandated overtime work.
A Southwest spokeswoman Friday had only this to say of the memo from Warren: "The memo addresses an increase in the average number of out of service aircraft this week. In order to take care of our customers, we need all hands on deck to address reported maintenance items, to promptly return aircraft to service and safely operate our flight schedule."

Some sources inside AMFA viewed Warren’s memo as an attempt to intimidate mechanics and “push them back into the shadows,” as one mechanic put it.
AMFA sources also denied on Friday that a possible covert work action by Southwest mechanics might have prompted Warren’s tough-talking memo.
The Warren memo comes amid reports from sources that as many as 50 Southwest aircraft have been out of service the past several days due to various mechanical issues. One source said a plane was sent to the hangar in Houston because of a malfunctioning tray table. There have been other reports of issues related to filters on planes.

More at: https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago...erational-emergency.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo
 
U.S. airlines are on track to add a new gender option for “non-binary” passengers.
The effort comes as two big trade groups – Airlines for America (A4A) in the USA and the global International Air Transport Association (IATA) – have recently approved a new international best-practices standard that suggests accommodation for travelers using “non-binary IDs.”
The suggested standard will create an option for “unspecified” or “undisclosed” for passengers booking tickets. That option would be in addition to the options for “male” or “female.”
“U.S. airlines value a culture of diversity and inclusion, both in the workplace and for our passengers, and we work hard each day to accommodate the needs of all travelers, while delivering a safe, secure and enjoyable flight experience,” A4A said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The suggested standard will become effective June 1. However, it will be up to individual airlines to make the option available to their booking platforms.
It appears that most big U.S. carriers will do so. The nation's five biggest -- American, Delta, United, Southwest and Alaska airlines -- have all told USA TODAY that they plan to implement the trade groups’ suggestion.
Delta, which is an IATA member but left A4A in 2015, confirmed that it will eventually offer the option.
“As part of Delta’s ongoing efforts to accommodate the needs of diverse customers throughout our business, we are planning to offer a non-binary gender option during the booking process,” the carrier said in a statement.
Other airlines expressed similar sentiments.
"As part of our commitment to inclusion, we want to ensure all of our customers feel comfortable and welcome no matter how they self-identify, which is why we will begin offering our customers the ability to select the gender with which they most closely identify during the booking process," United said in a statement to USA TODAY.
United expected its update to be made "in the coming weeks," adding "customers will be able to identify themselves as M(ale), F(emale), U(undisclosed), or X(unspecified), corresponding to what is indicated on their passports or ID. ... Customers who do not identify with a gender will have the option of selecting 'Mx.' as a title."
"We are excited to share this next step as we continue to break down barriers to promote inclusion," United's statement continued.
Southwest, the USA's biggest low-cost carrier, also said it planned to add such an option.
In a statement, the airline told USA TODAY "that while we don’t have a timeframe to share, Southwest is currently investigating solutions and the technical requirements needed to provide our Customers non-binary gender marker options during the booking process."

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/airlines-begin-adding-gender-option-174656212.html
 
American Airlines says one of its jets inbound to Las Vegas' airport was diverted to a nearby military base to refuel after experiencing weather-related delays in the area.



Airline spokesman Josh Freed said Flight 671 from Dallas landed safely Saturday at Nellis Air Force Base, which is on the outskirts of metro Last Vegas and about 13 miles northeast of McCarran International Airport.
Freed says he didn't immediately have details about the weather-related circumstances and said the jetliner was expected to depart Nellis soon to make the short hop to McCarran.




He says the jet was an Airbus A321 and had 194 people on board, including six crew members.

https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/us_w...cle_b88b4f68-8351-5a21-8fbb-1bcc6cf69ac2.html


Danke wanted to visit some old buddies?
 
American Airlines says one of its jets inbound to Las Vegas' airport was diverted to a nearby military base to refuel after experiencing weather-related delays in the area.



Airline spokesman Josh Freed said Flight 671 from Dallas landed safely Saturday at Nellis Air Force Base, which is on the outskirts of metro Last Vegas and about 13 miles northeast of McCarran International Airport.
Freed says he didn't immediately have details about the weather-related circumstances and said the jetliner was expected to depart Nellis soon to make the short hop to McCarran.




He says the jet was an Airbus A321 and had 194 people on board, including six crew members.

https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/us_w...cle_b88b4f68-8351-5a21-8fbb-1bcc6cf69ac2.html


Danke wanted to visit some old buddies?

Danke was probably in on this ploy . They do this when they want to swap out some passengers with alien bots .
 


We parked all of our 747-400s. Had 44 of them at one time. What a cockpit. Huge and sitting so high up, walked up stairs to get to it. Four engines, four independent hydraulic systems, generators etc.

Now I sit in a relatively crowded cockpit on the two engine 777 with four pilots during takeoff and landings. The crew rest area sucks, but the same lovely AARP fight attendants...just less of them complaining how they are understaffed. Earlier today while you were all still in bed and I was flying home over the North Pole, I asked for a fresh cup of coffee to return to the cockpit after my rest break, the old hag was pulling apart the paper cups stuck together...her fingers inside the cup that she ended up pouring my cup with coffee that was over an hour old. I went to the aft galley after pouring out the coffee and rinsing out the cup in the Lav for a fresh pot of brew. So yes again, Danke was proactive and did something.

Why fly another airline to visit your grandma, when you can come fly United and fly with your grandma?

PS. During my break, I was dreaming, and during my dream I was a cargo pilot. No passengers, nor dealing with passenger terminals. No customer representative agents to deal with, and best of all, no flight attendants. I was walking around the aircraft and sitting in the cockpit in my PJs.

Then I woke up from my dream to the nightmare and had to wait with a full bladder for a constipated passengers to leave the lav so I could vacated my cave...
 
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We parked all of our 747-400s. Had 44 of them at one time. What a cockpit. Huge and sitting so high up, walked up stairs to get to it. Four engines, four independent hydraulic systems, generators etc.

Now I sit in a relatively crowded cockpit on the two engine 777 with four pilots during takeoff and landings. The crew rest area sucks, but the same lovely AARP fight attendants...just less of them complaining how they are understaffed. Earlier today while you were all still in bed and I was flying home over the North Pole, I asked for a fresh cup of coffee to return to the cockpit after my rest break, the old hag was pulling apart the paper cups stuck together...her fingers inside the cup that she ended up pouring my cup with coffee that was over an hour old. I went to the aft galley after pouring out the coffee and rinsing out the cup in the Lav for a fresh pot of brew. So yes again, Danke was proactive and did something.

Why fly another airline to visit your grandma, when you can come fly United and fly with your grandma?
Hooray! Danke escaped from the female ET's saucer!
 
We parked all of our 747-400s. Had 44 of them at one time. What a cockpit. Huge and sitting so high up, walked up stairs to get to it. Four engines, four independent hydraulic systems, generators etc.

I have yet to meet an ATP that does not sing the praises of the 747.

Now I sit in a relatively crowded cockpit on the two engine 777 with four pilots during takeoff and landings. The crew rest area sucks, but the same lovely AARP fight attendants...just less of them complaining how they are understaffed. Earlier today while you were all still in bed and I was flying home over the North Pole, I asked for a fresh cup of coffee to return to the cockpit after my rest break, the old hag was pulling apart the paper cups stuck together...her fingers inside the cup that she ended up pouring my cup with coffee that was over an hour old. I went to the aft galley after pouring out the coffee and rinsing out the cup in the Lav for a fresh pot of brew. So yes again, Danke was proactive and did something.

Flying over the pole, what is the ETOPS range on the 777? Where are your alternates?

I'm sorry to hear all that, I have to say the trend is just the other direction on vessels. Habitability regulations have increased creature comforts on most new vessels.

Why fly another airline to visit your grandma, when you can come fly United and fly with your grandma?

Especially if you have one of those grandmas that bitch and wheeze and complain about everything.

PS. During my break, I was dreaming, and during my dream I was a cargo pilot. No passengers, nor dealing with passenger terminals. No customer representative agents to deal with, and best of all, no flight attendants. I was walking around the aircraft and sitting in the cockpit in my PJs.

Then I woke up from my dream to the nightmare and had to wait with a full bladder for a constipated passengers to leave the lav so I could vacated my cave...

Why not?

I carried pax for while and hated every second of it.

How much less does it pay?
 
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