More Than Points

Here’s a disturbing article from the LA Times which digs into how pilot fatigue is a big problem with airlines.

Some interesting quotes:

"Seven of the last nine airline crashes in the United States have involved regional carriers, and pilot fatigue was likely a factor in at least four of those incidents, according to federal safety investigators."

"Critics say the situation has been exacerbated by the airline industry’s long slump, putting pressure on airlines to cut costs by forcing pilots to work longer hours."

"A 2008 study by NASA found that about 80% of regional pilots said they had nodded off during a flight."

"One recent bulletin reviewed by The Times noted an upward trend of pilots taking off without knowing their aircraft’s weight and balance figures – numbers crucial to the way stabilizers are adjusted on a plane’s tail. Improperly set controls have caused crashes."

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This article does not make me a happy flyer.