Failed contract negotiations at Logan airport may lead to a strike, and disruption in service. Even though they are upset over stalled negotiations regarding worker’s rights (they earn between $8 and $9 an hour, with few or no benefits, and that they have gone years without a raise), the strike was postponed due to Massachusetts Port Authority security concerns.
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- Air China | Air Safety | Airbus | fire
Hot Phone on Shanghai Flight
What: Air China Airbus A330-300 en route from Beijing to Shanghai
Where: Shanghai
When: May 25th 2011
Who: passenger
Why: While en route, passengers smelled smoke in the cabin. The source was pinned down to an overhood bin, and turned out to be a passenger’s camera battery which caught on fire. The flames were between seven and eight inches.The battery was isolated and the fire extinguished in the lavatory.
American Traveling Public Says ‘There Has to Be a Better Way’ to Conduct Air Travel Security Screening
Overwhelming Majority Support a Trusted Traveler Program That Could Help Spur $84.6 Billion in More Travel
Blue Ribbon Panel of Experts Convened By U.S. Travel Association to Make Recommendations in Coming Weeks
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2010 — As airports begin welcoming passengers during one of the busiest air travel periods of the year, a new survey reveals three in four air travelers believe “there has to be a better way” to conduct air travel security screening. Eight in 10 support a trusted traveler program that would provide alternative screening measures for American citizens who submit to a background check and meet other risk criteria. Respondents would take an average of two to three more trips per year if the hassle involved in flying could be reduced without compromising security. Those additional trips would add $84.6 billion in travel spending and support 888,000 additional jobs, according to research from the U.S. Travel Association.
“Americans are clamoring for a better way, and it should be a wake-up call for our leaders in Washington,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, which commissioned the survey. “An efficient air travel security screening system that streamlines the process for trusted travelers can strengthen our security and economy. Let’s get to work building the system Americans crave.”
A majority of those surveyed believe Congress should make air travel security a top priority in the new term that begins in January.
According to the Consensus Research Group, which conducted the survey, “Travelers’ frustration with the system is not limited to just one or two security measures. It is across the board and includes a range of issues.”
Among the survey findings:The U.S. Travel Association has convened a Blue Ribbon Panel for Frictionless Aviation Security comprised of industry and security experts and former government officials. The panel will recommend how to improve air travel security in a way that maximizes security and minimizes the burden on travelers. The panel is expected to issue its report in early 2011.
The survey was conducted online by Consensus Research Group on behalf of the U.S. Travel Association between November 29 and December 10. The survey includes a nationally representative sample of 1,000 business and leisure air travelers who have flown during the past two years, are aged 25 or older, and who reside in the U.S.
- Having to remove shoes before going through a metal detector received a higher negative response from those surveyed than newly implemented pat-down body searches by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel.
- Nearly 9 in 10 respondents believe it is possible to achieve an air travel screening system that is both secure and efficient, while virtually the same number believe if we can put a man on the moon, we can create a passenger security system that doesn’t frighten or inconvenience travelers.
- Three in four air travelers support recruiting more professional security personnel who are trained to use personal observation, dogs and sophisticated computer analyses that have proven to be effective screening techniques in the past.
One page summary of the survey:
Travelers Frustrated with National Air Security System Public Believes “There Has To Be a Better Way”
Three in four American travelers (75%) believe there has to be a better way to provide air travel security than the procedures used today.
• Two-thirds of air travelers (66%) believe air travel security is a complicated problem and will not accept heavy-handed procedures unless they are more effective and efficient – 72% of business travelers agree.
• Eight in ten (82%) agree that if we can put a man on the moon, we can create a passenger screening system that doesn’t frighten or inconvenience air travel passengers.
More travelers describe the current passenger screening process as “inconsistent,” “stressful,” or “embarrassing” than describe it as being “fair” or “effective.”
•
Top ten words air travelers use to describe today’s screening procedures:
o Inconsistent 64% o Stressful 58% o Embarrassing 41% o Intimidating 40% o Intrusive 39%
o Fair 30% o Ineffective 29% o Effective 23% o Rude 22% o Frightening 16%
More would travel by air if the screening process was improved – and the economy would benefit.
• Nearly two in every three air travelers (64%) said they would fly more if security procedures remained as effective but were less intrusive and less time-consuming.
• Travelers would take an average of two to three more trips a year (2.48/year) if the hassle could be reduced without compromising security effectiveness. These additional trips could add $84.6 billion in spending and 888,000 more jobs.
• 80% agree there should be alternative screening measures for American citizens who submit to a background check and meet other risk criteria. In fact, half (50%) of those who have traveled recently “strongly agree” with this.
• Three in four air travelers (74%) support recruiting more professional security personnel who are trained to use personal observation, dogs and sophisticated computer analyses.
• A majority of air travelers support common-sense measures such as creating a special security lane for frequent travelers (60%) and a special screening lane for families, infrequent travelers and people who need boarding assistance (58%).
American travelers believe fixing air travel security should be a top priority in the 112th Congress.
• A majority of air travelers (54%) believe Congress should make air travel security a top priority in the new term that begins in January.Rudder Failure Fails to Alert Crew
What: Air Canada Airbus A319-100 en route from Montreal,QC to Toronto,ON
Where: Montreal
When: Apr 14th 2009
Who: 117 on board
Why: As the plane was about to lift off, the rudder moved and the aircraft pivoted to the left. The crew completed the flight. Afterwards, maintenance in Toronto was informed and they replaced the yaw damper actuator and the #1 flight augmentation computer.George’s Point of View
I question whether the crew should have continued on with this flight on board this plane before the maintenance repairs were completed. It is obvious that everyone survived and that is a good thing. But I wonder if the convenience of not stopping is worth either 1. the actual risk; 2. the perceived risk 3. passenger confidence.
As far as confidence in an airline goes, as for me, ask me any day and I’ll tell you, I’d prefer to be a little late to being a little dead. I think most passengers would agree.
If not stopping to perform repairs is Air Canada’s policy, then someone needs to rethink this policy, because the issue is not consumer confidence vs the bottom line. It is safety vs foolhardy cutting of corners.
Babies In Carriers
Patricia Friend of the Association of Flight Attendants told the New York Times “Every single thing on that airplane down to the coffee pots are required to be properly restrained except children under the age of 2.”
Babies are safer in carriers. That’s a fact. So why are we delaying?
Below, see where the NTSB is discussing this issue on December 9th in an open forum: (See below) This issue should concern us all.
NTSB PUBLISHES AGENDA FOR CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY IN THE AIR AND IN AUTOMOBILES FORUM SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 9TH
The National Transportation Safety Board has published its agenda for the Child Passenger Safety in the Air and in Automobiles forum, which will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2010. The one-day forum will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman and all five Board Members will participate.
Three panels of invited experts from non-profits, academia, federal agencies, industry, and professional associations will address subjects including safety risks to children when flying in airplanes or riding in automobiles; best practices for protecting children when traveling; child seat, seat belt, and vehicle design improvements; and identification of effective interventions for increasing use of child seats and seat belts.
Child seats and other products approved for securing children in the air and on the roads will be displayed. Certified child passenger safety technicians may earn continuing education units for attendance at this event.
Organizations and individuals can submit materials for the NTSB’s public docket for this forum. Submissions should directly address one or more of the forum’s three topic areas (identified by the panel titles on the agenda) and should be submitted electronically as an attached document to childsafety@ntsb.gov. The deadline for receipt is December 23, 2010. A description of the forum and complete agenda are available at http://www.ntsb.gov/children.
The forum is open to all and free to attend (there is no registration). It will be held at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center, located at 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.
The event will also be webcast live on the NTSB’s website. Webcast details will be posted on the website when available. Webcast archives remain posted for three months after the event. After three months, the NTSB FOIA office can provide copies.
Directions to the NTSB Board Room: Front door located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L’Enfant Plaza. From Metrorail, exit L’Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D Streets escalator, walk through the shopping mall, at CVS store (on the left), take escalator (on the right) down one level. The Board Room will be to your left.
Emergency On Board
When you read about an on board medical emergency such as the Continental Airlines medical emergency, it does make one think about the potential for on board emergency rooms. Not only is the technology (two-way air-to-ground RDT equipment) available, it is becoming cost effective, especially considering the expense of a 525-passenger Airbus A380 making an emergency landing can cost up to $200,000. Imagine if an online emergency room could care for a critically ill individual until the flight actually reached it’s destination. Or even if the equipment were only used DURING an emergency landing–it would result in a greater survival rate when a medical emergency occurs. It bears thinking about.