Tragedy on the NEC

[FHRob]

There is a very good reason there are two people in the cockpit of our commercial aircraft in spite of some idiots suggesting we should do otherwise. Perhaps someone will have the sense to re-think this one man operation here.

Regarding commercial aircraft, there's been articles talking about planes with no pilots. It's bad enough the airlines don't want to pay for experienced pilots, now they don't want anybody up front.

Rob

[FHRob]

The BBC over here is reporting that the train was doing 106mph before the brakes were applied and came off the rails at 102mph.

According to recent NTSB reports, the event recorder indicated the above mentioned speeds just before the device stopped recording. The engineer (train driver on your side of the pond) has already posted a statement indicating he does not remember any details of the accident. He has already submitted a blood sample and surrendered his cell phone. Now the question is, did he have some type of seizure? Another question that is still unanswered, something was fired at a SEPTA train just 4 minutes before this accident, was something done to disorientate the engineer of this train, causing an accident?

I'm wondering if his attorney told him to say he doesn't remember anything?

Rob

[FHRob]

Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia was on MSNBC yesterday, saying the accident could've been avoided, since the train was going twice the speed limit.

Doesn't he know what happens when you "assume?" It's still possible the train experienced a mechanical problem. Remember the engine is new, and it's within the realm of possibility there was a mechanical or computer glitch.

Just saying here, not making a judgment. We need to wait for the NTSB report before pointing any fingers.

Rob

[buzz456]

There is a very good reason there are two people in the cockpit of our commercial aircraft in spite of some idiots suggesting we should do otherwise. Perhaps someone will have the sense to re-think this one man operation here.

Regarding commercial aircraft, there's been articles talking about planes with no pilots. It's bad enough the airlines don't want to pay for experienced pilots, now they don't want anybody up front.

Rob

They whoever they are may be talking about it, however it would serve them well to ask the flying public what they think about it before they go too far down that road. You aren't getting me in a drone aircraft. I have too many hours and know all of the things that can go wrong go wrong go wrong, reboot.......

[FHRob]

There is a very good reason there are two people in the cockpit of our commercial aircraft in spite of some idiots suggesting we should do otherwise. Perhaps someone will have the sense to re-think this one man operation here.

Regarding commercial aircraft, there's been articles talking about planes with no pilots. It's bad enough the airlines don't want to pay for experienced pilots, now they don't want anybody up front.

Rob

They whoever they are may be talking about it, however it would serve them well to ask the flying public what they think about it before they go too far down that road. You aren't getting me in a drone aircraft. I have too many hours and know all of the things that can go wrong go wrong go wrong, reboot.......

FYI, there was an article in the NY Times about two weeks ago regarding aircraft flying without pilots. The "they" you talk about would of course be the companies who employ/pay pilots.

Rob

[buzz456]

Figures it was in that newspaper.

[FHRob]

Figures it was in that newspaper.

It was in the science section, and they weren't advocating, just reporting. In fact, the article made it clear we're a long way from commercial passenger airlines being flown as drones.

As for FedEx, a company known to be anti-labor, who knows?

Rob

[buzz456]

FedEx anti labor?? What? They have the highest paid pilots of any company. I know some of them. They love the company.

[FHRob]

FedEx anti labor?? What? They have the highest paid pilots of any company. I know some of them. They love the company.

I knew you were going to say that, don't ask me how.

I'm going to retract what I said regarding the pilots, being they make - according to FedEx - $142K a year. The union says that includes overtime, so who knows the truth. But they are anti-labor regarding the delivery and warehouse people. In fact, many of the drivers are independent contractors, although I don't see how this can be.

[drivertime61]

Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia was on MSNBC yesterday, saying the accident could've been avoided, since the train was going twice the speed limit.

Doesn't he know what happens when you "assume?" It's still possible the train experienced a mechanical problem. Remember the engine is new, and it's within the realm of possibility there was a mechanical or computer glitch.

Just saying here, not making a judgment. We need to wait for the NTSB report before pointing any fingers.

Rob

Mayor Nutter publicly ate those words this noon at yet another news-less news conference. Not worth regurgitating what he said here, but he retracted as only a slick politician can do it. He pretty much had to take it back, as he had been directly observed by an MSNBC reporter being dressed down by the on-scene NTSB head man off camera after yesterday's wanton commentary. Mayor Nutter today was awash in superlatives praising the work of the NTSB.

[FHRob]

Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia was on MSNBC yesterday, saying the accident could've been avoided, since the train was going twice the speed limit.

Doesn't he know what happens when you "assume?" It's still possible the train experienced a mechanical problem. Remember the engine is new, and it's within the realm of possibility there was a mechanical or computer glitch.

Just saying here, not making a judgment. We need to wait for the NTSB report before pointing any fingers.

Rob

Mayor Nutter publicly ate those words this noon at yet another . Not worth regurgitating what he said here, but he retracted as only a slick politician can do it. He pretty much had to take it back, as he had been directly observed by an MSNBC reporter being dressed down by the on-scene NTSB head man off camera after yesterday's wanton commentary. Mayor Nutter today was awash in superlatives praising the work of the NTSB.

Thanks for the update.

LOL - "news-less news conference." I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head.

The NTSB guy who updated the press yesterday did an excellent job fielding the really dopey questions, and answering the well researched questions. It was good to hear a question regarding whether the train had a dead-man control, and the explanation in plain English saying no, but there is an equivalent to that, and explaining how the equivalent works.

I think the initial press conferences with the NTSB always seem like a guilty until proven innocent situation.

And BTW, the NTSB does indeed do an excellent job. Unfortunately, they have no regulatory power, and can only make suggestions.

Rob

[buzz456]

FedEx anti labor?? What? They have the highest paid pilots of any company. I know some of them. They love the company.

I knew you were going to say that, don't ask me how.

I'm going to retract what I said regarding the pilots, being they make - according to FedEx - $142K a year. The union says that includes overtime, so who knows the truth. But they are anti-labor regarding the delivery and warehouse people. In fact, many of the drivers are independent contractors, although I don't see how this can be.

The four pilots I know make way way more than that.

[FHRob]

FedEx anti labor?? What? They have the highest paid pilots of any company. I know some of them. They love the company.

I knew you were going to say that, don't ask me how.

I'm going to retract what I said regarding the pilots, being they make - according to FedEx - $142K a year. The union says that includes overtime, so who knows the truth. But they are anti-labor regarding the delivery and warehouse people. In fact, many of the drivers are independent contractors, although I don't see how this can be.

The four pilots I know make way way more than that.

OK, then I do indeed stand corrected. Not everybody can fly a jet.

Do people actually tell you what they earn, or do you do their taxes?

[buzz456]

All kinds of people have told me what they make. Do you find that odd?

[Rich_S]

FedEx anti labor?? What? They have the highest paid pilots of any company. I know some of them. They love the company.

In fact, many of the drivers are independent contractors, although I don't see how this can be.

Hold onto the bar, major thread drift.... But seriously, I work with a guy that use to work for FedEx and he was a independent contractor. He owned the delivery van and was paid a percentage for each package he picked up and delivered. I think he told me you purchase the delivery vans from FedEx but I don't remember all of the details. I can tell you after a few years he realized it was not the job for him.