Last week the FAA shut down all American Airlines MD-80's. This action by the FAA forced American to strand over 300,000 passengers, some in wheelchairs, young children, etc. The FAA charged possible serious non-compliance of restrictions regarding bundling of electrical wires.
After American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines inspected almost 500 planes, not one showed a fraying of the electrical wiring.
But to shut down the number one airline in the world for an issue that did not involve safety, by failing to follow vague guidelines, is ridiculous. By the way, in the last five years there has only been one report of wiring that showed fraying. We do have a safe airline travel system. We have to thank the 46,000 employees of the FAA, the pilots and the mechanics for keeping the skies safe. The last major incident in the USA involving a death on the MD-80 was in the year 2000. Last year approximately 750 million travelers flew across America with no loss of life. Let's be safe, but let's not be stupid either. We realize some of you may disagree with our opinion, that's good. We would love to hear your opinion - if you're from the FAA, don't write!
Are these guys from the FAA nuts? We could understand if one, two, ten, or fifty of the planes had fraying problems, none did. Remember, the FAA initially gave the airlines 18 months to comply. If American did not comply, fine them. But don't be the bully on the block because Congress smacked your hands.
Imagine if you're driving down the highway and the police pulled you over because you forgot to get your car inspected. Does it make your car a major safety hazard? Imagine you're driving down the highway in a 55 mile per hour zone and you're going 57 miles per hour. Does that make you a more dangerous driver, especially when other drivers are passing you by at 65 and 70 miles per hour? Yes, you may get a fine, a ticket and told to get your act together, but they can't shut you down and leave your car parked in the middle of the highway. What's sad is that the FAA has a very important job. When there is something wrong we expect them to be our policeman on the beat to protect and serve.
In September 2006, the FAA sent a directive to all the airlines that had MD-80 aircraft. Their concern was possible fraying of electrical wiring. If this problem was so serious to the safety of the American traveling public, why did they give the airlines 18 months to fix it? The MD-80 has over 80 directives regarding air worthiness. The 737, which has five models, has over 500 directives. The September 2006 directive wanted all airlines to make sure they taped the electrical wiring no more than an inch apart. Several American Airlines planes were found with gaps that were over an inch and a quarter. Because the planes did not meet FAA directives the FAA told American they had to ground them. American has approximately 300 MD-80 aircraft, which forced the airline to cancel flights and strand over 300,000 passengers. Some were stranded for two or three days. Some were in wheelchairs. Some travelers had young children. Yet American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines inspected approximately 500 airplanes - not one, not one single plane, had any fraying of wiring.
The shutdown of American Airlines and the stranding of over 300,000 travelers, some in wheelchairs, some very young children, was uncalled for.
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After American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines inspected almost 500 planes, not one showed a fraying of the electrical wiring.
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