United grounds some 747s with uncertain maintenance

[flashl]

Source: Chicago Tribune

United Airlines pulled aside seven Boeing 747s for reinspection on Thursday after discovering onboard technology that steers the giant aircraft clear of other planes in the air hadn't been maintained according to the Chicago-based airline's standards.

By early evening, one plane had been returned to service, said United spokeswoman Jean Medina. She said United hadn't canceled any flights as it retested the largest planes in its fleet and expected "minimal disruption" to its schedule.

The move comes as airlines face greater scrutiny of outsourced maintenance, as well as the record-keeping that ensures inspections are done in accordance with carrier and Federal Aviation Administration standards.

Chicago Tribune

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-fri-united-747-groundedmar21,1,4553299.story

[marmar]

1. Deregulation has been truly wonderful, hasn't it?

n/t

[barb162]

8. N.O.

It's time we get some good regulation and more people in the federal government to oversee industry in general. FAA, FDA, OSHA, EPA, etc. Oh and let's beef up/ tighten the regs and increase penalties to industry who flagrantly disobey regs.

[BlueCollar]

12. Are you ready to pay the fare increases? n/t

[Phred42]

2. They've been sending planes to South America for Maintenenace

for years. Outsourcing maintenance and the responsibility to make an extra nickel.

More Corporate Treason.

[barb162]

9. That's right. Do it cheap and lousy.

Who cares about passenger safety.

[GTurck]

3. These events..

come after the airlines started out sourcing their maintenance and fired their long time employees to save money. Some savings!!
Our oldest son and a friend's former husband both worked for United, one retired after a buyout was offered after 30 years as a maintenance supervisor. Our son is getting a buyout this year because he made the mistake of making a living wage as a baggage handler. That job is being outsourced as well to temp workers and those making minimum wage with very few benefits.
BEWARE!

[shireen]

4. this is very bad

It's easier to maintain security if planes are serviced in US facilities.

This outsourcing garbage is outrageous. Good competent qualified people are being cheated out of jobs because our country has higher costs of living compared to most other countries? Bullshit! The real problem here is greed, in the form of reported earnings and obscene upper management salaries. And yes, runaway healthcare costs. If all these companies simply paid their people fair wages that allows them a comfortable life, good job & healthcare security, the airline industry and so many other greed corporations would have much more stability in their profit revenues. It's such common sense, you gotta invest in people and infrastructure.

[flashl]

6. That won't work. If we gave US citizens living wages, how can we have 'economic growth'?

:sarcasm:

[shireen]

7. opps! silly me! what WAS i thinking ...

Seriously, it's all so sad. A phrase I've been using a lot lately at DU, "we're only as strong as our weakest link" seems to be popping up in my head in almost every issue/post I've been reading. Sigh!

[GTurck]

10. I whole heartedly agree

What are you thinking to suggest that we need to think of people and not corporations? LOL
I see a day where what we think is forever becomes just another memory. I liked flying - once - but no more. Too many hassles and delays, etc. Can't feel sorry for something so broken and so unwilling to acknowledge its brokenness.
Thanks for the comments and the agreement of the shocking mis-use of resources by our corporate kings.

[Clear Blue Sky]

5. Nice. On busy travel Easter weekend...

[BlueCollar]

11. As long as the public wants cheap fares

airlines will cut costs to stay in business. Sometimes that means skirting the edge when it comes to compliance.

Too bad, but as a consumer you get what you pay for.