Custodial Sentences for Accident Victims! That should work well ...
Interesting to note so-called aviation professionals baying for lengthy "custodial sentences" to be imposed upon passengers unfortunate enough to be caught up in a terrifying evacuation situation. Increasingly we see media witch-hunts and public vendettas in pursuit of "revenge" sentences against aircrew, marine crew, bus / train drivers, ATC staff etc who have the misfortune to be involved in an accident. I strongly believe that a decent society should resist this lust for revenge punishments unless true criminal activity (eg. drunkenness, drug-abuse) is a causal factor in the accident.
However, if instead we as an industry advocate an environment in which Captain Hitler of Pol Pot Airways campaigns to have his panicked PASSENGERS incarcerated for picking up a bag … well, what chance has common sense got where aircrew arrests / charges are concerned? Do you really want a vindictive society in which aircrew and passengers lobby to see each other jailed following tragic accidents? Think about what you are saying, and be very careful what you wish for.
Last edited by Shed-on-a-Pole; 30th Mar 2014 at 02:56.