Zeke
you would be referring to this type of article.
"Pilots accused of fudging safety checks
David Potter, industrial reporter
08mar03
VIRGIN Blue pilots have been observed completing pre-flight inspections in less than 60 seconds – a procedure the airline admitted yesterday took at least five to 10 minutes to fully complete.
Allegations also surfaced yesterday that a number of Virgin pilots had signed off on the pre-flight section of the flight log before carrying out the inspections.
Virgin Blue commercial operations manager David Huttner said both claims were "baseless", but a Civil Aviation Safety Authority source has confirmed that during a surveillance operation last month a number of pilots rushed through their inspections in less than a minute.
Mr Huttner said yesterday he had been informed by pilots the inspection took five to 10 minutes. The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association estimates it takes 10 to 20 minutes.
However, Mr Huttner confirmed one pilot had been stood down "without prejudice" as a result of the CASA investigation into the airline's safety practices, but had later been reinstated.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson had previously confirmed that after two days of secretly observing Virgin safety practices last month, a number of inspections had not been done properly.
Mr Gibson said pilots on some flights had been rushing checks and cutting corners.
The hasty inspection process was part of the reason why Virgin Blue was issued with a formal safety alert last week.
The issue has been raised again after a dispute between the engineers' association and Virgin Blue over the airline's safety practices.
Under new procedures at Virgin Blue, engineers are required to examine aircraft only at the beginning of the day. Pilots make visual checks between flights.
During a hearing in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission on the threat of strike action over the dispute, the engineers' association raised six "incidents" – the most serious of which was an allegation that a pilot missed evidence of a possible bird strike, which was later picked up by a maintenance engineer.
An engine on the plane was found to be damaged and subsequently replaced.
As a result of the commission hearing engineers will now continue to check every domestic flight before take-off, while discussions between the two parties take place.
Allegations also were made by the engineers' association to CASA in a letter from president Michael O'Rance late last month that a number of pilots had pre-signed their pre-flight check forms.
Mr Gibson said the allegations referred to in the letter had not been investigated by CASA. He said since the formal notice to Virgin Blue the airline was "living up to its safety responsibilities".
He said the airline would continue to be monitored."
Unfortunately this like many other incidents across all working groups reflects poorly on those that are trying to do the right thing, it's always a few lazy sods that tarnish the silver ware.
I appologise to those who are doing it right.