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Passenger safety compromised at TAP

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Passenger safety compromised at TAP

Old 24th Dec 2008, 07:05
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Passenger safety compromised at TAP


Passenger Safety Compromised at Portugal’s National Airline


TAP, Portugal’s national flag carrier has broken the golden rule of aviation by allowing commercial pressure to become paramount ahead of safety.
AEI has documented evidence relating to an incredible series of unsafe incidents which has lead to non-airworthy planes continuing to transport unwitting passengers.

Complicit in this safety scandal are several TAP pilots and externally contracted maintenance organisations. The evidence is undeniable and clearly highlights:
  • Falsifying of maintenance records
  • Aircraft System faults erased from aircraft Logbooks Maintenance
  • Inspections performed and signed off by unqualified individuals
All to ensure that the flight schedule was met during an industrial dispute rather than announce cancellations.

Fred Bruggeman AEI General Secretary said “the evidence is shocking and must call into question TAP’s approach to safety management particularly as TAP knowingly exposed unwitting passengers to unnecessary additional dangers.

AEI have been warning for some time about safety standards becoming compromised as commercial pressure and weak regulatory oversight increase their stranglehold on the aviation industry.

"What we are witnessing here is the direct result of insufficient regulatory oversight at both national and European level. National Aviation Authorities are not complying with the regulations as they should; this has been clearly documented in the EASA Standardisation Reports whilst the European Commission all too often succumbs to industry lobbying. This leaves a void as far as enforcement of the regulations is concerned and industry takes full advantage of the fare paying passenger by cutting corners and lowering safety levels” Fred continued.

AEI has long maintained that “self regulation” or “regulation light” as some call it, has no place in the aviation industry as too much is at stake. AEI have also criticised pilots for continuing to fly unsafe aircraft. The evidence published on the AEI website is clear for all to see. Pilots do place passenger’s lives in danger by taking unnecessary risks.

AEI demands that a full investigation be initiated immediately by the Portuguese National Authority and Department of Transport.

“It isn’t just about the regulators though” added Mr Bruggeman, “industry groups such as the European Cockpit Association and the Association of European Airlines have a lot to answer for by consistently failing to condemn the reckless and irresponsible behaviour of their members”.
Despite the continuous denials new evidence emerges everyday. Professional pilots are not being very professional looking in the other direction on this one.

Wouldn't it be better to work side by side against the common enemy, COMMERCIALISM, rather than allow industry to continuously get away with it due to our squabblings?

Engineers and pilots should be ensuring that safety remains paramount at all times and not just when convenient. A different approach from ECA would be welcomed on this matter.
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 12:28
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As a TAP pilot, I can garantee that is not how things are done. Being my employer, you can think that I''m defending my colours, but I can assure that no one erases anythink from the Tech log book, and every single malfuncion is reported ASAP.
I already had a delay on an aircraft because of one cockpit table not stowed properly, and the aircrafts always fly the the MEL...

Can you please reveal the source of that text?

Many thanks!
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 12:34
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The original text sounds "more than a little" politically motivated, as it is questioning the operation during an industrial dispute.
It strikes me as rather short sighted to drag the name of your employer through the mud and then expect them to sit amicably around the negotiating table with you.
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 13:25
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OK let`s see things here... TAP`s safety record is not the best around, but it`s not the worst either... overall it`s good

Those things seem dificult to me!

Falsyfing maintenance records... lye

erasing faults from logbooks... it`s almost impossible to do so, since I believe TAP still uses the old logbooks, ie, non-electronic logbooks.

inspections performed and signed off by unqualified personnel... not so difficult to believe! That`s the only one I believe that might have happened.

Cheers
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 14:15
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Just to clarify. This wasn't intended as a yes he does or oh no they don't thread.

I am sure you are all mature enough to understand that an organisation doesn't issue such press releases without being 100% sure of the facts.

When this finally goes properly public, with evidence being made public,
I suppose "you were warned" is an apt comment.

The preferred route would still be a change in attitude from ECA. However time is getting short
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 15:02
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This is a press release, or a pending press release?

SC,

From what you say, this appears to be a trial balloon for a pending press release.

Is this true?

R
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 15:24
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As laudable as AEI's attempts to bolster the position of licensed engineers are, this political piece of nonsense is neither newsworthy nor accurate. The statement;

has broken the golden rule of aviation by allowing commercial pressure to become paramount ahead of safety.
...is simply laughable. Like it or not, everything has a price, and safety is just one of those things. Since when did being profitable become "Commercial Pressure"? No airline will survive with a poor or questionable safety record, but that doesn't mean safety isn't a costed factor. There is nothing in these claims that hasn't been seen and done before, so why TAM should suddenly come under the AEI's spotlight is a far more interesting question.
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 16:32
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As an actual employee of TAP, flying more than 22 years with a company that always gave me, as a Captain, the "last word" on GO/NO GO decisions, without the slightest sign of persecution or pressure. A company that always did teach me the rules of "safety first", one of the first ever to install EFDARS and other flight safety follow up instruments, CRM, LOSA, Quality Audits, etc. The culture of flight safety inside TAP is as strong as its image among our people and one of the reasons we still want to keep it as our Flag Carrier. I can only understand this anonymous quote of a pretence breach of safety by someone that is misinformed and with premeditated harmful intentions, and that is a case for Justice and Courts. My personal experience with TAP compels me to consider those declarations as an absolute non-sense. One thing I know: We may well be not one of the most productive airlines, but one thing that we are all proud of is, Safety!
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 16:40
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I don't know about the source of the thread related stuff, but I don't hestitate to put my family and myself in a TAP airplane.


About myself:

Commander in a well known airline, not TAP!

Merry x-mas
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 17:28
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sorry probably should have sourced it, its on the newswires such as this.

http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=93957932

I can only understand this anonymous quote of a pretence breach of safety by someone that is misinformed and with premeditated harmful intentions, and that is a case for Justice and Courts.
Well if unfounded your probably correct but what then are the consequences should the flip side of your comments be true, i.e. the claims are factual and 100% spot on?
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 18:10
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Well if unfounded your probably correct but what then are the consequences should the flip side of your comments be true, i.e. the claims are factual and 100% spot on?
Well, first of all, in decent, democratic and in a law enforced societies, one does not make any type of accusations, without proof. First you get proof, then you accuse.
And if by chance, those accusations turn to be true, then I think culprits must pay the price and face consequences.
Since my conscience is clean, and once my own experience in the company tells me that those accusations are completely non-sense I have the right to feel offended by them as a professional and as a proud TAP employee.
I hope you understand that.
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Old 24th Dec 2008, 18:28
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@aguadalte

of course I understand your position
. However your position of denying it takes place is just as offensive to those who witness these actions.

The way forward would be for ECA to climb down from that pedestal and start seriously discussing how we should deal with this.

So far they are not prepared to do so. I personally would prefer to see a behind closed doors solution but fear it won't happen.
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 11:40
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Interesting how someone worried about "Safety Concerns" echoes news clearly driven by a political agenda... Interesting.

I wonder if all these irregularities are found on "TAP Portugal" airline maintenace logbooks, etc, or if they extend to the long list of costumers "TAP Maintenance & Engineering" as a company has... I wonder. Costumers which audit and verify quality standars on a regular basis. I could leave you the list of TAP M&E costumers but I'm sure you have checked their website for that.

Instead, let me just ask you if, by any chance, you know who's responsible for the maintenance on those "Republique Française" Airbus sitting on the tarmac at CDG? Yes. TAP M&E. Funny how the french trust their aircraft and the life of Mr. Sarkosy to these bandits... Funny.

Four words: ridiculous politically driven news.
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 13:05
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@locblew I think you are missing the point but merry xmas anyway.

For the value of audits read up on Nationwide.
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 14:29
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Greetings on this festive season!

I do not believe for one minute that TAP Portugal is comprimising safety.

TAP's M&E section is one of the most recognised around, and it reflects in its customer books, surely if something was wrong, we would have known by now!
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 14:52
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I don't remember any mention of TAP maintenance. As far as I am aware the press release is in the main about pilots and contracted maintenance partners?
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 16:07
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Well the press release obviously can't be true then can it. Strange that an organisation would risk everything telling porkies.

But then again those saying it doesn't happen aren't risking anything are they
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 18:46
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But then again those saying it doesn't happen aren't risking anything are they
Maybe if and when you bring proof, I'll be risking that people in this forum call me a liar. As I said before: first bring proof, and only then accuse! Thats the only honest approach to such important issues like the attack to a company and to her professionals. And if you're only the messenger (that, I could accept in a forum dedicated to rumors) why are you so keen to defend such an offensive declaration?
You're not risking anything also, are you? You're so keen to spread the word...what are your really intentions? Don't tell me...Safety Concerns...yeah

Its a petty this forums are so anonymous...they allow anybody to come here and start a rumor without facing consequences...you're really the one in advantage here.
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 20:32
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@aguadalta. First of all let me say I respect your input here and its nothing personal.

However....I haven't started any rumours I have just posted a press release that I have taken in good faith and support the contents.

Now being called a liar on an anonymous forum cannot compare with an organisation like AEI losing face because their information isn't factual. I assume you accept that.

I also support the action and attempts they are making to keep this internal and find a solution. (it's not just TAP although this time it is apparently)

I have what may or may not be considered an advantage as I have been following their actions and have in fact reported similar events in another airline. My interpretation of the situation is that all avenues have now been exhausted and you the pilots are still in denial about this. I cannot vouch for TAP but I can state that similar and worse is unfortunately an everyday event.

So who is being honest here? I believe AEI have been more than honest and should they now choose to begin open warfare (I don't know that) but the tone seems to indicate such an approach, then I support them.

I will state again, I have no axe to grind and I would prefer a different solution but the fact remains you haven't been listening. Therefore if it goes public it goes public and I would suggest it will harm your profession greatly.

And by the way, the Press Release mentions names so I still firmly believe they have the evidence.
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Old 25th Dec 2008, 21:26
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I'm always a tad suspicious of adjective-laden press releases e.g. "knowingly exposed unwitting passengers to unnecessary additional dangers." Verbiage vs substance comes to mind.

In the full release on the AEI site there's a reference that reads "The evidence published on the AEI website is clear for all to see." Perhaps it's hidden somewhere but I couldn't find it.

What I do find is lots of negative references to ECA, not just there but in Safety_Concerns's postings on other threads. Without doubting SC's sincerity, it all does seem to add up to "agenda".

As far as TAP's concerned, think I'll stick with hetfield's take.
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