Comments on: Pilot loses job for low-altitude fly-by — fair or not? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:33:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Kai Watanabe http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20424 Kai Watanabe Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:06:18 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20424 Ok. As an employee at Boeing Field in Seattle, I must weigh in on this issue of the CX flyby. First of all, contrary to what was printed in the original post, Boeing Field is a commerical airfield. And yes, as others have stated, there were pax onboard the plane; as a matter of fact, the president of CX was one of the numerous VIPS on that flight. The fact remains that this was a stupid stunt--whether or not it was inspired, or endorsed by the key personnel onboard, and the pic did not have pre-authorization to perform the flyby. Also, for those of you who were not able to witness this stunt first hand as I did, you must realize that the pilot flew a mere 20 feet above the runway! A routine flyby would not have been authorized below 50ft. The pilot is fortunate he was merely terminated from CX, without his license and certification being revoked. Stupid is, as stupid does. Ok. As an employee at Boeing Field in Seattle, I must weigh in on this issue of the CX flyby. First of all, contrary to what was printed in the original post, Boeing Field is a commerical airfield. And yes, as others have stated, there were pax onboard the plane; as a matter of fact, the president of CX was one of the numerous VIPS on that flight. The fact remains that this was a stupid stunt–whether or not it was inspired, or endorsed by the key personnel onboard, and the pic did not have pre-authorization to perform the flyby. Also, for those of you who were not able to witness this stunt first hand as I did, you must realize that the pilot flew a mere 20 feet above the runway! A routine flyby would not have been authorized below 50ft. The pilot is fortunate he was merely terminated from CX, without his license and certification being revoked. Stupid is, as stupid does.

]]> By: From the Mind of J http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20310 From the Mind of J Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:17:04 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20310 If it was all the pilot's decision, give him the boot. It's just not something you do. If it was a suggestion by a VIP, then he better appeal and win, and if he does not, he should go to news agencies with an expose. If the company thought the stunt made them look bad, the cover-up will be absolutely devastating. If it was all the pilot’s decision, give him the boot. It’s just not something you do.

If it was a suggestion by a VIP, then he better appeal and win, and if he does not, he should go to news agencies with an expose. If the company thought the stunt made them look bad, the cover-up will be absolutely devastating.

]]> By: Julia Rosien http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20302 Julia Rosien Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:24:37 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20302 Well, after the YouTube video hit the blog-o-sphere, someone needed to go - and the pilot is the obvious fall guy. The CEO on the plane likely egged the pilot on, but the pilot still had a choice. But, I agree with Scott - this was all about damage control. Too bad the guy didn't just lose his job - he can probably kiss his career goodbye too. Too bad Matt Cawby caught the whole thing on video: http://www.gogirlfriend.com/travel-news/matt-cawby-plane-spotter-update-7490 Well, after the YouTube video hit the blog-o-sphere, someone needed to go - and the pilot is the obvious fall guy.

The CEO on the plane likely egged the pilot on, but the pilot still had a choice.

But, I agree with Scott - this was all about damage control. Too bad the guy didn’t just lose his job - he can probably kiss his career goodbye too.

Too bad Matt Cawby caught the whole thing on video:
http://www.gogirlfriend.com/travel-news/matt-cawby-plane-spotter-update-7490

]]> By: Scott http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20287 Scott Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:21:27 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20287 I think the execs wanted to have a fun flight and suggested this to the pilot or he sensed their uplifted spirits and felt this would be appropriate. Which it probably was with just the execs (not regular pax) on the plane. However, once this leaked, it was a matter of reputation and safety and Cathay had no choice really. They had to do damage control. I think the execs wanted to have a fun flight and suggested this to the pilot or he sensed their uplifted spirits and felt this would be appropriate. Which it probably was with just the execs (not regular pax) on the plane.

However, once this leaked, it was a matter of reputation and safety and Cathay had no choice really. They had to do damage control.

]]> By: aaron http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20286 aaron Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:15:58 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20286 If I owned a company and just took possesion of a multimillion dollar asset, I wouldn't want anybody taking risks with it. I agree 100% with Tom. I don't want a pilot with that little judgment flying my flight. If I owned a company and just took possesion of a multimillion dollar asset, I wouldn’t want anybody taking risks with it. I agree 100% with Tom. I don’t want a pilot with that little judgment flying my flight.

]]> By: S A http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20285 S A Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:20:22 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20285 With VIPs on board, I wouldn't be surprised if the pilot was put up to doing this by one of them. Now I guess he's the fall guy. With VIPs on board, I wouldn’t be surprised if the pilot was put up to doing this by one of them. Now I guess he’s the fall guy.

]]> By: foo http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20284 foo Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:17:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20284 Jail. Because flogging isn't available. 1> There were pax involved. 2> There were people on the ground. 3> There is no way this was a "one time impulse." -F Jail. Because flogging isn’t available.

1> There were pax involved.

2> There were people on the ground.

3> There is no way this was a “one time impulse.”

-F

]]> By: Andy http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20283 Andy Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:49:05 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20283 It looks more like there was reputation at risk -- the VIPs didn't complain when it happened but only when it was public... It looks more like there was reputation at risk — the VIPs didn’t complain when it happened but only when it was public…

]]> By: Oliver http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20279 Oliver Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:16:52 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20279 An aircraft isn't a pilot's personal toy. An aircraft isn’t a pilot’s personal toy.

]]> By: Tom http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20278 Tom Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:47 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20278 Any pilot that shows this much poor judgment is not a pilot I want to fly with. Any pilot that shows this much poor judgment is not a pilot I want to fly with.

]]> By: Eric http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20277 Eric Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:29:20 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/28/pilot-loses-job-for-low-altitude-fly-by-fair-or-not/#comment-20277 Actually, there were CX VIPs on board. He only lost his job when this 'video' showed up on youtube. I think it's warranted. There were pax at risk. Actually, there were CX VIPs on board. He only lost his job when this ‘video’ showed up on youtube. I think it’s warranted. There were pax at risk.

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