FAA might fine Alaska Airlines

[question everything]

FAA might fine Alaska Airlines

$500,000 penalty proposed to sanction company for lapses in safety

JOHN GILLIE; The News Tribune
Last updated: January 10th, 2006 06:49 AM (PST)

For the third week in a row, safety issues are haunting SeaTac-based Alaska Airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday proposed fining the airline $500,000 for operating a Boeing 737 for nearly 500 flights without proper interior emergency lighting.

The FAA civil penalty proposal says an Alaska aircraft maintenance contractor, Goodrich Aviation Technical Services of Everett, failed to reinstall two emergency identifier lights on an Alaska 737-200 during routine maintenance in late 2004. Without the emergency lights, the aircraft didn’t comply with FAA emergency rules. Alaska wouldn’t be specific about what the lights do. The aircraft flew for 487 flights in late 2004 and early 2005 without the lights.

(snip)

Two weeks ago, a ramp worker at Sea-Tac Airport accidentally dented an Alaska MD-80 jetliner during baggage loading. The worker didn’t report the incident, and the aircraft, bound for Burbank, Calif., was forced to return for an emergency landing when the dent became a foot-long gash as the plane was pressurized. In another ground incident last week, a contract ramp worker accidentally put an aircraft tug into reverse while an Alaska Boeing 737 was loading. The tug, attached to the plane’s front landing gear, lurched backward about three feet, damaging the plane’s door and denting an engine cowling.

(snip)

All three recent incidents – plus one other last week at Los Angeles International Airport in which a plane’s nose cone was damaged – involved work formerly handled by Alaska’s own employees that has been outsourced to contractors. The airline outsourced its baggage handling and ramp work at Sea-Tac in May to Menzies after Alaska’s union workers rejected a cost-cutting contract. The company laid off 472 workers.

(snip)

John Gillie: 253-597-8663 [e-mail]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/5448742p-4918845c.html

[merwin]

1. "Alaska wouldn’t be specific about what the lights do"

My guess is they blinked. Or maybe stayed on. But I'm pretty sure that was the extent of their function :-)

[montanacowboy]

2. AND ADD TO ALL THAT THIS MORNING

IN SEATTLE PAPERS - A BAGGAGE PERSON TOSSED A DOG CRATE OVER HIS HEAD INTO THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT; THE 40 POUND BORDER COLLIE LANDED IN A 45 DEGREE ANGLE IN THE CRATE AND IF THE OWNER HAD NOT WITNESSED IT, HE WOULD HAVE FLOWN TO FLORIDA ON HIS HEAD

WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH ALASKA AIR LINES? FROM ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED AIRLINES TO LET'S DO IT ANY OLD WAY TO GET BY, CHEAPER AND BETTER

I WILL NEVER FLY ALASKA AGAIN

[roguevalley]

3. They were sold by the man who had the standards. That collie

thing would have been enough for me to get a pitch fork. When you cut corners, you get ripped.

[Dr.Phool]

4. From what I've read, they're owned by fundies now.

Faith-based aviation safety.

I've read that they stuff their seat comparments with fundie tracts.