We here in the US have a rather ugly anniversary on our hands today. One year ago, the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, killing 13 and injuring many more and this evening is the subject of a special [called Road to Ruin] on CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/
What is rather scary about this structural failure is that this bridge is just one of many, way too many in every state that are barely usuable. Some bridges are so bad in fact that they either have holes in their roadways or for that matter are missing major pieces of metal in the beams that help hold the road or rail that cross on these said same bridges. In effect, the accident in the Twin Cities is a harbinger of things to come, unless something is done and soon.
Dear readers, one of the main reasons given as to why the needed repairs or replacements cannot be done at this time or is being deferred is the lack of money. Now granted, fewer folks are driving, buying less gas and paying less in gas taxes. Some of the taxes in turn are used to maintain the Highway Trust Fund which is earmarked for what? Highway repair of course. But before the current gas crisis, before 9/11...these issues were still facing us, en masse.
It may have been the thinking on the part of the powers that be that the time will always be there to do the repairs. Perhaps they are even thinking that 'if the Roman Aqueducts lasted til this day, then heck our little 4 lane bridge should be good til the next century'. Not so and even scarier..unlikely.
Just to give you an idea of how bad things are, let me relate a conversation I overheard one evening several years ago while crossing on the BMT subway line's Manhattan Bridge sector. There were a couple maintenance supervisors talking to the engineer of our train and it was just casually said that the I-beams which were holding up the tracks and the roads next to them had gaping holes in them, but it was still safe to travel on. Yes...this was said in such a blase fashion....which is even scarier. It was almost as though that if this were to fall apart, crash and people end up going to their final reward in the East River that it would be [SIC] '...just the cost of business...'
Now not all of our infrastructure is in this bad a shape, but if 1 in 4 of our bridges is in such disrepair that they need to be replaced and soon, that should be our wakeup call to get this dome and soon. Otherwise, we will not have learned one goshdarn thing from the accident in Minneapolis one year ago. Lives lost due to ignorance and deferred maintenance....not something that any right thinking person or government for that matter should want to have on their conscience.
Showing posts with label CNN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CNN. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
As goes US Airways, so goes United, Delta, American and friends...Gravediggers get your shovels
Ordinarily in this space, I would be posting the latest scam or scams that are currently being run by the previously mentioned hotel reservation sites. HOWEVER, there was some breaking news this evening which makes this somewhat trivial, in that while getting taken by a hotel may cost you money, what was announced today by US Airways may cost you and those flying with you your lives.
The reason for this alarm is the following article, which I will post the link for and the Associated Press piece in its entirety:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/Pilots_Fuel.html
As for the text:
US Airways pilots: We're pressured to cut fuel By JOAN LOWY and CHRIS KAHN Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON — The pilots union for US Airways said Wednesday the airline is pressuring pilots to use less fuel than they feel is safe in order to save money.
US Airways Captain James Ray, a spokesman for the US Airline Pilots Association, which represents the airline's 5,200 pilots, said eight senior pilots and the union have filed complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The union also paid for a full-page ad in Wednesday's USA Today addressed to "our valued passengers." The ad accuses the airline of "a program of intimidation to pressure your captain to reduce fuel loads."
Ray said soaring jet fuel prices have sent all the airlines scrambling to find ways to cut the weight of airliners because the heavier the plane, the more fuel the plane burns. US Airways, based in Tempe, Ariz., has recently removed movie players, redesigned its meal carts and replaced glassware with plastic to cut weight.
Jet fuel has surpassed labor as the airline industry's greatest expense.
But US Airways recently crossed the line when it ordered eight pilots who requested "an extra 10 to 15 minutes worth of fuel" to attend training sessions, or "check rides," that could put their pilot licenses in jeopardy, Ray said. The pilots were supposed to report for their training sessions Wednesday, he said.
"We feel they're trying to set an example," Ray said. "Captains shouldn't be intimidated into thinking, 'If I say I need this fuel, they may send me for a check ride.' ... Cutting peanuts off the plane, that's one thing. But cutting a captain's fuel level below his comfort, that's another thing."
US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said the decision to bring in the eight pilots for extra training was not meant to be punitive. "That's totally not true," he said.
During the past few years, the carrier has required its planes to carry enough fuel to pad their flight times by 60 to 90 minutes, Durrant said.
"These eight pilots have routinely been above the 60 to 90 minute range. It just behooves us as a company to talk to these guys, figure out what they're seeing that we're not," Durrant said.
FAA regulations require aircraft to carry enough fuel to reach their destination and an alternate destination, plus 45 minutes worth of fuel, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said. Also, pilots have the final authority on whether their flight should have extra fuel.
Brown said she is unaware of any specific complaints filed by US Airways pilots or their union, but FAA has been monitoring reports of "minimum fuel loads" at some airports.
"We don't see any evidence right now that there are violations of the regulation," Brown said.
US Airways has studied how much fuel its planes really need to carry, Durrant said. "The heavier an aircraft is, the more fuel it burns, and one of the heaviest portions of an aircraft can be fuel," he said.
US Airways is also buying more fuel efficient aircraft and cutting inefficient routes from its network. Still, an average roundtrip flight costs about $299 worth of fuel per passenger, company officials said.
___
Associated Press writer Chris Kahn reported from Phoenix.
Yes, it is true. This company is more than willing to put people's lives at risk just to save a few bucks. Granted the news for this broke during a telecast of Larry King on CNN, whose program has been known to dabble in the world of the sensational over the past few weeks. But when one hears the voice of the former inspector general of the FAA, Mary Schiavo openly mention that this move by US Airways is not just insane but is deadly because it will put passengers in danger, the radar goes off. One sits and listens. After all, she did not get the nickname of 'Maximum Mary' for nothing...this was one person who made sure the boys who play with the aluminum tube toys played by the rules.
If you are scared by seeing this and had wanted to fly on US Airways, a word of advice. Don't. That's right...don't do it. Anyone or any company that is this stupid, this willing to take steps this reprehensible, this irresponsible in order to cut fuel costs does not need your money. Unless of course they are going to also include a fee for the recovery of bodies after the first accident occurs. The only ones who are sure to really make money off of this will be US Airways and the local funeral directors if let's say a plane 'due to a lack of power resources' ends up ditching a flight from, let's say Charlotte to Los Angeles in a cornfield not too far from Emporia, Kansas because some jackass in Charlotte was told to only feed the jet with 40-50% less fuel.
And if these jerks, these suits get away with the BS, you can bet any amount of money that the other brothers in crime, I mean the airline business will follow suit. As bad as the threat from terrorists is and will be for some time, this is even worse. Executives, well those here on these shores are supposedly the best on the planet and would never, ever in their most demented fantasies want to put passengers and crew at risk to save a few clams. That is, until now.
As a public service, if you have not had or do not have access to the US Airways site, here is their contact information:
US Airways
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Corporate headquarters location:
111 W. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-693-0800
7 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday
Rip them a new one...tell them where they can shove their idea to put people at risk.
A note to anyone who works for US Airways who objects to this post: If you have a problem with this, tell it to the Marines or sue me. I triple dog-dare you to do so...I need the publicity.
The reason for this alarm is the following article, which I will post the link for and the Associated Press piece in its entirety:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/Pilots_Fuel.html
As for the text:
US Airways pilots: We're pressured to cut fuel By JOAN LOWY and CHRIS KAHN Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON — The pilots union for US Airways said Wednesday the airline is pressuring pilots to use less fuel than they feel is safe in order to save money.
US Airways Captain James Ray, a spokesman for the US Airline Pilots Association, which represents the airline's 5,200 pilots, said eight senior pilots and the union have filed complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The union also paid for a full-page ad in Wednesday's USA Today addressed to "our valued passengers." The ad accuses the airline of "a program of intimidation to pressure your captain to reduce fuel loads."
Ray said soaring jet fuel prices have sent all the airlines scrambling to find ways to cut the weight of airliners because the heavier the plane, the more fuel the plane burns. US Airways, based in Tempe, Ariz., has recently removed movie players, redesigned its meal carts and replaced glassware with plastic to cut weight.
Jet fuel has surpassed labor as the airline industry's greatest expense.
But US Airways recently crossed the line when it ordered eight pilots who requested "an extra 10 to 15 minutes worth of fuel" to attend training sessions, or "check rides," that could put their pilot licenses in jeopardy, Ray said. The pilots were supposed to report for their training sessions Wednesday, he said.
"We feel they're trying to set an example," Ray said. "Captains shouldn't be intimidated into thinking, 'If I say I need this fuel, they may send me for a check ride.' ... Cutting peanuts off the plane, that's one thing. But cutting a captain's fuel level below his comfort, that's another thing."
US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said the decision to bring in the eight pilots for extra training was not meant to be punitive. "That's totally not true," he said.
During the past few years, the carrier has required its planes to carry enough fuel to pad their flight times by 60 to 90 minutes, Durrant said.
"These eight pilots have routinely been above the 60 to 90 minute range. It just behooves us as a company to talk to these guys, figure out what they're seeing that we're not," Durrant said.
FAA regulations require aircraft to carry enough fuel to reach their destination and an alternate destination, plus 45 minutes worth of fuel, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said. Also, pilots have the final authority on whether their flight should have extra fuel.
Brown said she is unaware of any specific complaints filed by US Airways pilots or their union, but FAA has been monitoring reports of "minimum fuel loads" at some airports.
"We don't see any evidence right now that there are violations of the regulation," Brown said.
US Airways has studied how much fuel its planes really need to carry, Durrant said. "The heavier an aircraft is, the more fuel it burns, and one of the heaviest portions of an aircraft can be fuel," he said.
US Airways is also buying more fuel efficient aircraft and cutting inefficient routes from its network. Still, an average roundtrip flight costs about $299 worth of fuel per passenger, company officials said.
___
Associated Press writer Chris Kahn reported from Phoenix.
Yes, it is true. This company is more than willing to put people's lives at risk just to save a few bucks. Granted the news for this broke during a telecast of Larry King on CNN, whose program has been known to dabble in the world of the sensational over the past few weeks. But when one hears the voice of the former inspector general of the FAA, Mary Schiavo openly mention that this move by US Airways is not just insane but is deadly because it will put passengers in danger, the radar goes off. One sits and listens. After all, she did not get the nickname of 'Maximum Mary' for nothing...this was one person who made sure the boys who play with the aluminum tube toys played by the rules.
If you are scared by seeing this and had wanted to fly on US Airways, a word of advice. Don't. That's right...don't do it. Anyone or any company that is this stupid, this willing to take steps this reprehensible, this irresponsible in order to cut fuel costs does not need your money. Unless of course they are going to also include a fee for the recovery of bodies after the first accident occurs. The only ones who are sure to really make money off of this will be US Airways and the local funeral directors if let's say a plane 'due to a lack of power resources' ends up ditching a flight from, let's say Charlotte to Los Angeles in a cornfield not too far from Emporia, Kansas because some jackass in Charlotte was told to only feed the jet with 40-50% less fuel.
And if these jerks, these suits get away with the BS, you can bet any amount of money that the other brothers in crime, I mean the airline business will follow suit. As bad as the threat from terrorists is and will be for some time, this is even worse. Executives, well those here on these shores are supposedly the best on the planet and would never, ever in their most demented fantasies want to put passengers and crew at risk to save a few clams. That is, until now.
As a public service, if you have not had or do not have access to the US Airways site, here is their contact information:
US Airways
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Corporate headquarters location:
111 W. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: 480-693-0800
7 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday
Rip them a new one...tell them where they can shove their idea to put people at risk.
A note to anyone who works for US Airways who objects to this post: If you have a problem with this, tell it to the Marines or sue me. I triple dog-dare you to do so...I need the publicity.
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