ezefllying

I found that comment by the flight attendant -- admittedly as reported by a passenger, but still very believable -- especially unfortunate. Just as flight attendants have been trained to stand up to potentially disruptive passengers (and sometimes go overboard doing so), FAs need to keep in mind that they have an obligation to intervene when a colleague, especially in a security-sensitive position, behaves inappropriately.

I think most of this is a feeling of powerlessness -- "company" says she's good to fly; she's the boss of the flight; FAs don't have much pull; etc. From an FA's perspective, attempting to challenge a captain could seem deeply risky or even mutinous. I'm sure some would, but a less confident or experienced FA might think it wasn't his/her place to speak up. I hope, in the wake of this incident, the airline or union reiterates this.

readywhenyouare

Yes it happened on Feb 11. Obviously this captain isn't running on all six cylinders. Hopefully the ink has already dried on the dismissal papers and FAA revocation of certificate.

enviroian

How much you want to bet lawsuits will start flowing in at UA citing "emotional distress"?

NeoOfTheCRS

I am surprised no one mentioned the JetBlue Pilot Meltdown which happened just 5 years ago. A much more dramatic situation where they were already in the air.

LarryJ

I would caution regarding speculation over what was happening behind the scenes.

One of the articles included a flight status display showing the flight departed--with the replacement Captain--slightly more than two hours late (2:06?). Considering that Austin is not a pilot base, the decision to replace the Captain must have been made very early in the process.

Doc Savage

The lady's career likely just went down the toilet. We should be thankful for our own mental stability and feel empathy for her.

Hope none of you ever has to go through so much stress it sends you over the edge.

Safe travels,

Doc

(ETA: This was a response in a merged thread where there were some harsh statements.)

readywhenyouare

That cuts both ways. Lots of former military people had trouble with the concept of CRM. They were used to calling the shots themselves in the military. You must work as a crew at an airline. We are much safer these days than the era of "Sky Gods" that we saw in the early days.

featheroleather

Good points. Before the video started (which probably triggered someone filming the meltdown), she allegedly made disparraging remarks over the PA calling Clinton & Trump A holes & insulted an interracial couple sitting in F.

I read an FB account of what happened from one of the fa's working the flight.(I am a FA) Apparently the Capt got her van time mixed up & thats why she showed up late to the plane in civvies, asked the crew over the PA if they wanted her to change or just go as is & leave on time. The FO was doing his duties in the pit & didn't hear the pa's & a pass riding pilot went up front & got on the horn to ops. A replacement pilot was flown up from IAH, resulting in a 2 hr delay.

spin88

thanks for the further detail. I had wondered where FO was, but this explains it. Again, I see nothing that UA did wrong here. Again, I feel sorry for the pilot and hope she gets the help she needs.

spainflyer

Other than tell passengers its ok to fly because "She's been cleared to fly."

pinniped

In the Germanwings situation, the co-pilot got locked out of the cockpit.

I'm glad this happened on the ground, and yes I would have deplaned as soon as it was clear that the pilot was not of right mind. I'm shocked that the FAs were so willing to fly with her.

uchuuace

First off, glad everyone is safe and nobody was hurt. Echo the statements made in that I hope the pilot gets the help they need to get better, but probably shouldn't be flying again after this. Very sad situation, indeed...

So, out of morbid curiosity, what do you all think the compensation United offers in a case like this? 30,000 miles? Travel cert? Really just curious what something like this would entail.

spainflyer

And do you get more if you stayed on the plane than if you demanded to get off?

Grouchy

According to this lady in the video (skip to 2:00) UA offered a 50$ voucher to every pax for their time and trouble.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/201...-bizarre-rant/

readywhenyouare

Wow. That isn't very much. DL gave everyone (regardless of status) a $100 voucher at the gate for a very delayed CVG-MCO flight I was on. And that didn't involve any rant from the crew.