Fight Between Pilot, Mechanic Halts Flights
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Fight Between Pilot, Mechanic Halts Flights
From Avweb (CRM at work?)
Up to 500 passengers were stranded on American Samoa, some for more than a week, after a pilot reportedly flattened a mechanic and the airline they were contracted to, South Pacific Express, suspended flights. According to the e-Travel Blackboard an altercation between the two on Dec. 21 ended with the mechanic laid out. The pilot, a first officer, was immediately fired. The mechanic and the airline’s chief pilot were "recalled" by the owner of the aircraft, Freedom Air, which forced the airline to suspend service. That left 500 holiday visitors to the tropical island without a way home. The pax were rebooked on other airlines but their flights were already packed with holiday travelers. By Dec. 28, there were still about 100 South Pacific Express pax waiting for flights. According to Radio New Zealand International South Pacific Express has announced a new flight crew will be sent to Samoa today to resume regular service.
Up to 500 passengers were stranded on American Samoa, some for more than a week, after a pilot reportedly flattened a mechanic and the airline they were contracted to, South Pacific Express, suspended flights. According to the e-Travel Blackboard an altercation between the two on Dec. 21 ended with the mechanic laid out. The pilot, a first officer, was immediately fired. The mechanic and the airline’s chief pilot were "recalled" by the owner of the aircraft, Freedom Air, which forced the airline to suspend service. That left 500 holiday visitors to the tropical island without a way home. The pax were rebooked on other airlines but their flights were already packed with holiday travelers. By Dec. 28, there were still about 100 South Pacific Express pax waiting for flights. According to Radio New Zealand International South Pacific Express has announced a new flight crew will be sent to Samoa today to resume regular service.
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Roll with the punches
I say, This altercation not recorded by a hidden camera or on U-tube by any chance!
happy new year and Safe flying to all from Sybil,Polly and Manuel!
BF
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That left 500 holiday visitors to the tropical island without a way home
Some people have all of the luck..
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Which Freedom Air
South Paciffic Express operates one Shorts 360. I assume Freedom Air is the operator in Guam operating one Shorts 330, two Shorts 360-100 and one 360-300. There is a Freedom Air in New Zealand operating 12 A320s. I wonder were the 500 pax intending to fly the Shorts or Airbus home? It would take a while to get them all home on Shorts.
Does anyone know more about which Freedom is the operator?
Does anyone know more about which Freedom is the operator?
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The New Zealand based Freedom Air is suspending all operations as of March 30, 2008 according to their website.
The story below says that it was the Guam based Freedom Air involved in this story.
South Pacific Express resumes flights between Samoa and American Samoa
Posted at 22:31 on 02 January, 2008 UTC
The Pago Pago based airline South Pacific Express Inc or SPEX has resumed flights between American Samoa and Samoa.
The airline grounded services on December 21st after an alleged altercation between a co pilot and the chief mechanic.
The cancellation of flights stranded up to 500 passengers at the busiest travel period of the year.
Many passengers cancelled their travel plans after they couldn’t find seats on Polynesian and Inter Island Air.
Guam based Freedom Air owns the Short 360 aircraft which SPEX flies and also provides pilots and mechanics.
The chief mechanic and chief pilot were recalled to Guam and the co pilot has been forced to resign.
The co pilot is to face criminal charges for allegedly assaulting the chief mechanic.
The story below says that it was the Guam based Freedom Air involved in this story.
Originally Posted by Hawaii Public Radio
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa: The Pago Pago based airline South Pacific Express has resumed flights between American Samoa and Samoa. The airline grounded services December 21st after an alleged altercation between a co pilot and the airline’s chief mechanic.
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr...d=17&Itemid=76
http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr...d=17&Itemid=76
Originally Posted by Radio New Zealand International
South Pacific Express resumes flights between Samoa and American Samoa
Posted at 22:31 on 02 January, 2008 UTC
The Pago Pago based airline South Pacific Express Inc or SPEX has resumed flights between American Samoa and Samoa.
The airline grounded services on December 21st after an alleged altercation between a co pilot and the chief mechanic.
The cancellation of flights stranded up to 500 passengers at the busiest travel period of the year.
Many passengers cancelled their travel plans after they couldn’t find seats on Polynesian and Inter Island Air.
Guam based Freedom Air owns the Short 360 aircraft which SPEX flies and also provides pilots and mechanics.
The chief mechanic and chief pilot were recalled to Guam and the co pilot has been forced to resign.
The co pilot is to face criminal charges for allegedly assaulting the chief mechanic.
Hang on before we jump to conclusions, maybe the Coey just had a particularly savage serve of garlic prawns the evening before....not normally a sacking offence.
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Classy stuff
Love to know what the provocation was to justify such poor behaviour.
The 'pace' of any activity is the Pacific is shall we say 'laid back'
And it is easy to get frustrated at the glacial speed things get done out there!!
More details please!!
The 'pace' of any activity is the Pacific is shall we say 'laid back'
And it is easy to get frustrated at the glacial speed things get done out there!!
More details please!!
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Rocky VII
Brill 
I thought you normally Suspend all those involved in the fracas,Do an investigation, and then sack if it is Justifiable,
Well not every country is Britain is it (I forget some times)
Back to my Sheeps now
I thought you normally Suspend all those involved in the fracas,Do an investigation, and then sack if it is Justifiable,
Well not every country is Britain is it (I forget some times)
Back to my Sheeps now
