[BITList] From another Forum

[John Feltham]

Cabin crew face trial after speaking up about icing on the wing
"Three US Airways flight attendants are facing a law suit filed by  
their pilot collegue demanding 2 million US$ in compensation for  
defamation, after they spoke up before departure on Jan 24th 2003,  
when they noticed ice accumulation on the wings of their airplane,  
which was to perform flight America West HP-851 from Calgary,AB  
(Canada) to Phoenix,AZ (USA). It took the common effort of all three  
flight attendants and three attempts, before the flight crew  
unwillingly agreed to de-ice the airplane. The airplane reached  
Phoenix on time and without incident.

The flight attendants reported the case to the FAA, which dropped  
proceedings against the pilots in 2006 stating, that they couldn't  
substantiate the allegations even though that doesn't mean, that they  
wouldn't believe the flight attendants. The first officer, put in  
charge by the captain to decide about de-icing, hired an attorney to  
represent him before the FAA, which cost him around 21000 US$. The  
first officer filed a law suit requesting 2 million US$ from the  
flight attendants in 2006.

US Airways let the flight attendants know, that they are on their own  
for that law suit, and wouldn't carry the bills for legal  
representation, even though they were on duty and following required  
crew cooperation procedures to ensure safety of flight.

Unknown to the flight attendants, Calgary Airport had filed an  
irregularity report as well, as ground staff had observed  
contamination of the wings and approached the flight crew asking,  
whether de-icing would be needed and received a blunt no.

The first officer admitted in a court deposition into the trial  
against the flight attendants, that there was frost on the wings of  
the aircraft indeed, but denied, that they were approached by the  
flight attendants until after having pushed back.


I wonder what implications this is going to have on future situations  
like this ?


ooroo

If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door.

Anon.



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