Boeing 7xx, and others with their heads in the sand, what does egg on your face feel like? I offered you to PM me to deny each & every allegation. You haven't. If your are honest, you can't. Or, start a new thread to open your debate to the wider public. That is, support your comments please. In the mean time, read the latest on your Great Air India!!!
Sr AI official in the dock for safety violations
Manju V, TNN,
Oct 21, 2010, 12.08am IST
MUMBAI: Forcing unwell pilots to operate flights, rostering a familial crew for a flight in violation of international anti-hijacking norms, coercing pilots to fly international without a valid passport; these, if the airline's pilots are to be believed, are some of the air safety and security violations occurring with impunity in Air India in the last three months.
These glaring violations were brought up in a letter by Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), the recognized union of about 350 Air India pilots. The October 13 letter titled, "Misuse of official powers and unlawful acts committed by Capt Rohit Bhasin, additional general manager-operations (scheduling in charge)," was sent to a host of top officials including Air India chairman and managing director, Arvind Jadhav, the directorate-general of civil aviation, the regional labour commissioner and the chief vigilance officer.
"When pilots express their inability to operate flights due to illness, Capt Bhasin issues verbal threats warning pilots of a number of consequences they may have to face if they avail of sick leave,'' says IPG president Jeetendra Awhad in the letter. Flying when unwell is an air safety violation under clause 42-4, part 5 of Indian Aircraft Rules. There have been individual complaints as well against Bhasin who took charge of scheduling about three months ago. Last week, a commander filed a non-cognizable complaint (NC) at Vakola police station. "The complainant was threatened with dire consequences by Bhasin over a petty matter and so he filed an NC,'' said Anil Kharade, senior police inspector.
Despite complaints from several pilots as well as substantial, in-your-face proof, Air India came out in support of Bhasin and issued a blanket denial of all the allegations. "Captain Bhasin has not intimated any pilot who has reported sick. In Air India, all rules and regulations are followed and no pilot has been penalized for availing of sick leave. The airline does not force any medically unfit pilot to fly,'' the airline spokesperson said in reply to a TOI questionnaire. Countered an airline source: "The complaint letter against Bhasin was sent only last week. The airline, without bothering to investigate these serious charges, has denied everything."
Another allegation was made that Capt Bhasin has been rostering himself with his son on flights frequently. Capt M Ranganathan, an air-safety expert said that the practice violates International Civil Aviation Organisation's Document 8973 and 9811, which lists the post 9/11 mandatory security proce dures. "The cockpit door has to be in "Locked-down" condition and under no circumstance; it is to be opened in flight when there is a threat. But when relatives fly as crew, the cockpit door becomes a weak link in the security chain,'' says Capt Ranganathan. "If a pilot leaves the cockpit, the hijacker can emotionally blackmail the one sitting inside to unlock the cockpit door. He can then be commandeered for a 9/11 type of act,'' he said, explaining why the ICAO document prohibits close relatives from being rostered together. Air India denied that Bhasin and his son had been flying together, saying the last instance was in December 2009. "The airline is lying. If they check the scheduling roster, they will see that Bhasin and his son operated many Delhi-New York- Delhi non-stop flights recently. For instance, on July 8, July 10, August 7, August 9,'' said a pilot.
Also, pilots whose passports have been sent for obtaining a visa, are often rostered to fly international in clear violation of Passports Act 1967, said the letter. Air India denied this. "Whistle-blowing is not something that pilots generally do as it could have grave consequences. But when our safety is at stake, we are left with no choice,'' said a source.
Read more: Sr AI official in the dock for safety violations - The Times of India
Sr AI official in the dock for safety violations - The Times of India
King on a Wing....Careful showing the Emperor in his New Clothes a mirror! Thanks for your support and honesty.