Posted on 10/27/2009 8:49:18 PM PDT by presidio9
The licenses of the two Northwest Airlines pilots involved in last week's "overflying" incident were revoked today by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a day after Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., called for a ban on using laptop computers in airline cockpits.
The San Diego-to-Minneapolis flight overshot its destination by 150 miles because the pilots were apparently online in the cockpit (though they initially told investigators that they were distracted by a "conversation") and missed the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. They didn't realize their mistake until they had reached Eau Claire, Wis., at which point they turned around and flew back to Minneapolis.
Air traffic controllers and airline officials tried repeatedly to reach the pilots without success.
On Monday, Franken publicly called for a ban on using laptops in cockpits.
"We don't tolerate texting while driving, and we're certainly not standing for it while flying," Franken thundered in a statement. "It would be unthinkable to allow a driver to use a laptop. A driver responsible for the lives of dozens, if not hundreds, of passengers needs to be that much more focused on the job."
The FAA announced the license revocations today, citing violations of a number of federal regulations, including failing to comply with air traffic control instructions and clearances and operating "carelessly and recklessly."
The pilots have 10 days to appeal the revocations to the National Transportation Safety Board.
(Franken's pronouncement settled an office bet over which of Minnesota's two senators would be the first to publicly decry the incident. But although Franken won this round, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., took up her own cudgels today against motivational speaker James Arthur Ray, who conducted a sweat lodge ceremony earlier this month in Arizona in which three people -- including a Prior Lake woman -- died.)
Please stop by the FReepathon thread and give it a bump. If you haven’t donated yet, please give it some thought.
Thank you!
Franken is a chowderhead. just like the pilots
I think current regulations effectively ban the use of a laptop during flight in the cockpit. No new law is needed..these guys just lost their jobs, licenses and careers. They were pretty dumb. The Stews seem to always be discussing this type of things in the galley also..but haven’t seen any laptops running there.
Memo to Al Franken: use of laptops in cockpits is already banned.
Giggle.
(Dang, I just threw up on my boots.)
Is this Al first big legislative maneuver?
Way to go Minnesota! This guy is a genius! /S
John W calls for Franken ban.
**John W calls for Franken ban.**
I’d be happy with a Franken BRAIN BAN...for starters.
Stuart Smalley, trying to be relevant.
In situations like this, it is important to resist the urge to call someone like Franken an idiot. Both of you did, of course, but you would have been right to do so. That being said, I can’t help wondering why Senator Franken assumes pilots need a laptop to take a nap in the cockpit.
There is no such thing as a Franken brain......
**Way to go Minnesota! **
They also elected JESSE “THE BODY” VENTURA for Governor... Franken was NOT a STRETCH of the Imagination.
But there IS HOPE... someone there elected Michele Bachmann
You have the Dem mood correct.
Laptops bad. Laptops good.
These people are nuts. There are laws on the books for reckless endangerment
Watching the reaction to that would’ve been hilarious.
I’m so embarrassed that this man-child “”represents”” Minnesota.
I had never heard of Minnesota Public Affairs News Service before, and I figured it was a lot like Pravda. On reading the article for a second time I’m wondering if it’s actually mocking the Senator.
**There is no such thing as a Franken brain......**
Point.. game set match
I am sure other pilots will look at this incident and think twice about repeating this behavior given the consequences involved.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.