Glue Ball
I was not suggesting there were no problems. As you point out its all a matter of public record, and its horrible.
What intrigues me is how you can be so authorative on the basis of reports read, of accidents, some of which are about 20 years old, and with an obvious lack of knowledge of what is presently occuring internally. For you to make comments about the Korean nature, attitude and culture, without firsthand knowledge, is arogance in the extreme.
Rest assured, there are a lot of very able and dedicated people working overtime to rectify the ills of the past.
KAL's maintenance is top level. It is very rare to take an aircraft away from home base with anything in the book. MEL's are rarely used, they fix the sucker.
The FOQA program is probably as comprehensive as any in the world. All exceedences get a good going over with a full analysis and rectification action where necessary.
The simulator training has all been taken over by Flight Safety Boeing, with their guys also doing the sim checks.
All crews have undergone additional sim training, particularily in risk management, over the past couple of years.
An extensive English Language program is in place, with English level 5 a requirement for promotion.
These and many other programs are in the mill and have been for some time. Considerable progress has occured and improvements are continuing. But its a long slow process.
Full Forward. The FAA downgrading, is of the KMOCT (Korean Ministry of Transport and Construction) the CAA/FAA equivalent. It is not a downgrading of either KAL or Asiana. However the penalties of that downgrading will be worn by those airlines.
GG
[ 19 August 2001: Message edited by: Grange Guzzler ]