Machdiamond

The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit has published the final report on this incident.
One of the FA held a Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine and Instrument Rating . Very cool. She took the First Officer seat for the remainder of the flight.

http://www.aaiu.ie/upload/general/11139-0.pdf

st7860

"Prior to descent, the Commander asked the Incharge Flight Attendant to go the Passenger Information List (PIL) to see if there were any flight crew on board who might be available to assist on the Flight deck for the remainder of the flight. In the event no line pilots were on board, but one of the Cabin attendants held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence, with a Multi-engine Rating, and a non-current Instrument Rating. The Commander requested that the Flight Attendant occupy the right-hand (First Officers) seat for the remainder of the flight to assist as necessary. The Flight Attendant provided usefull assistance to the Commander, who remarked in a statement to the Investigation that she was ‘not out of place’ while occupying the right-hand seat. "

halfmileman

I can see the pilots burning up right now with all the FAs saying, "See, we should get paid the same as an F/O" and "It's not that hard to fly." Seriously, good on the FA for stepping up. ^

Ken hAAmer

No way! The FAs should be paid more than the cockpit crew.

Can you see a pilot doing FA duties? Successfully, I mean.

halfmileman

Hi Ken,

How are things? Their respective pay rates are certainly debatable - but I'm positive there are some pilots stewing over this one! It gives the FAs a lot to poke fun at them with.

There is animosity that stems from a grievance the FAs filed over discrimination, equating their role to that of a flight engineer (or second officer). I can't recall if that was ever resolved, but it sure did p.o. a lot of the pilots.

hmm

threepoint

It shouldn't. The CPL skills the FA had were obtained by years of training and study completely separate from her training as an attendant. Your average FA wouldn't have the faintest idea what all the shiny buttons are.
I'm sure she did an admirable job (and hope she cheekily logged the hours). But a non-pilot FA has no justification for equating any part of their job with any part of a pilot's.

Any pilots stewing should lighten up. I'm sure any captain in the same situation would benefit from a knowledgeable staff member in the right seat, even to help with checklists and radio calls. I know I would.

pr0digy25

Read the whole report. Sounds like everything went well, despite the incapacitation.

Given the possible negative outcomes, to the Captain and the crew (FO excluded).. a well deserved thumbs-up. ^

Tangoer

It's not so much what the pilots know but the timing of when to apply it. The rules and regs and procedures for flying transport category jet in controlled airspace must be vast. Not to mention knowing when manipulate the controls, edit the flight computer, make radio calls, interpret ATC's messages. The list is endless.

Tessie03

I hope this fellow gets well soon. Mental health issues are devastating to everyone in the circle - family, co-workers, friends.

All the best for this man

Machdiamond

Well, you know, everybody has his job to do and I have as much respect for either one.
If a FA gets paid more than a pilot, that's perfectly fine with me. I wouldn't want all the crap they have to face every day for a million dollar.
I am also fully aware of the ridiculous financial sacrifices pilots have to go through before landing their sore b*tt in the front office of a main line aircraft.
At the end of the day, we are all trying our best and we should feel fortunate to be served by people who worked hard to get there.

photojojo

Did we ever hear what the diagnosis was for the FO? Reading through the incident report it sounds like it was a stress induced breakdown.

Agincourt

^ to the FA!

threepoint

And also a thumbs-up to the captain who demonstrated outstanding CRM skills and wasn't too proud to ask for help from a fellow crew member - licensed or not.

Stranger

Story even picked up by cnn at this point.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe....ap/index.html

pr0digy25

As usual... careful fact-checking the original PDF would indicate it was the Captain who was 58, not the co-pilot. Par for the course CNN.