Comments on: In-flight engine failures plague American Airlines http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/aa-in-flight-engine-problems/ The last honest travel site Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Frank http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/aa-in-flight-engine-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-13261 Frank Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:59:16 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=15191#comment-13261 During my 16 years at AA safety was ALWAYS the first concern and that period continued the operating credo which was created at the inception of that fine company. Does anyone really think that an airline company would institute policy/procedure which would circumvent such a policy for the sake of a small percentage of operating cost? Consider first that the APA is in the middle of negotiations for their contract and have traditionally shown a willingness to disparage their company in an way that they can. Then consider that AA is the largest air carrier in the world and they number of shutdowns is related to the greater number of segments. Lastly consider that the quality of parts may be changing, although these, like the maintenance frequency and procedures are mandated and monitored by the FAA. Bottom line, the car ride to the airport is still the most dangerous part of the trip and American Airlines is the pre-eminent airline in the world for quality, routes, price and service. During my 16 years at AA safety was ALWAYS the first concern and that period continued the operating credo which was created at the inception of that fine company. Does anyone really think that an airline company would institute policy/procedure which would circumvent such a policy for the sake of a small percentage of operating cost? Consider first that the APA is in the middle of negotiations for their contract and have traditionally shown a willingness to disparage their company in an way that they can. Then consider that AA is the largest air carrier in the world and they number of shutdowns is related to the greater number of segments. Lastly consider that the quality of parts may be changing, although these, like the maintenance frequency and procedures are mandated and monitored by the FAA.

Bottom line, the car ride to the airport is still the most dangerous part of the trip and American Airlines is the pre-eminent airline in the world for quality, routes, price and service.

]]> By: Frank http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/aa-in-flight-engine-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-12868 Frank Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:51:18 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=15191#comment-12868 My dad was a career aviation mechanic from B-17s through today's commercial aircraft. Over 20 of his 33 year career with AA was in their jet shop at LAX responsible for repairing jumbo jet engines. Dad's greatest fear was that when times got tough financially that the least "obvious" cutback to passengers would be maintenance. He feared that cutting service or other issues more directly affecting the flying public's perception of AA would be a less desirable option for AA...at least in the short term! Even this alarming rate of engine shutdowns isn’t as visible unless the public becomes aware of them. Hopefully AA gets this message loud & clear to not cutback on maintenance. The right thing for AA's survival is to reliably maintain their aircraft before they attract the world's attention with a catastrophic loss of lives in a crash!!! Having a career as a pilot (not with AA), I have always subscribed to the philosophy that for the most part an aircraft will fly safely with a semi-competent pilot but NEVER with anything other than the best maintenance. Partially out of loyalty, AA remains my 1st choice for travel because of how rigidly dad said they maintained their aircraft. However with so many engine problems it appears that AA is living my dad's worst nightmare...a cutback in maintenance! Maybe it's time to re-evaluate my loyalty to AA for my safety & for the safety of my family? My dad was a career aviation mechanic from B-17s through today’s commercial aircraft. Over 20 of his 33 year career with AA was in their jet shop at LAX responsible for repairing jumbo jet engines.

Dad’s greatest fear was that when times got tough financially that the least “obvious” cutback to passengers would be maintenance. He feared that cutting service or other issues more directly affecting the flying public’s perception of AA would be a less desirable option for AA…at least in the short term!

Even this alarming rate of engine shutdowns isn’t as visible unless the public becomes aware of them. Hopefully AA gets this message loud & clear to not cutback on maintenance. The right thing for AA’s survival is to reliably maintain their aircraft before they attract the world’s attention with a catastrophic loss of lives in a crash!!!

Having a career as a pilot (not with AA), I have always subscribed to the philosophy that for the most part an aircraft will fly safely with a semi-competent pilot but NEVER with anything other than the best maintenance.

Partially out of loyalty, AA remains my 1st choice for travel because of how rigidly dad said they maintained their aircraft. However with so many engine problems it appears that AA is living my dad’s worst nightmare…a cutback in maintenance!

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate my loyalty to AA for my safety & for the safety of my family?

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