I found a recent comment by Southwest Airlines President Colleen Barrett to be a “classic Southwest” example of how they maintain such good employee morale over there, when compared to the rest of the airline industry.

“We are in the customer-service business; we happen to offer air transportation.

We consider our employees to be our number one customer, our passengers our second and our shareholders our third.

If we give great customer service to our employees as leaders, they will in turn provide it to their customers, who are the passengers. And the rewards will be there for our shareholders.

Colleen Barrett
President
Southwest Airlines”

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading the book ‘Nuts! Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success’ by Kevin & Jackie Freiberg. It really gives great insight into the unique things Southwest does to set themselves apart as a true leader in this industry. Not only that, but it takes a fun and interesting look into the culture of Southwest, and I was either laughing or chuckling almost of the way through it.

~Capt’n chris

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WestJet and FAA Squabble Over Near Miss at LAX
Well if you follow airline news at all (and the author assumes you do, otherwise you wouldn’t be here) then you’ve probably heard about the recent rash (industrial strength ointment required) of close-calls involving near misses between airliners at LAX, America’s 3rd busiest airport.

This Airline CEO Could Probably Give a Rat’s Ass
It’s quickly becoming apparent that Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza either…

A: Doesn’t fully read his emails, or
B: Is truly the rude, arrogant corporate suit that he came across as of late.

…and last but not least!
Another Pick-A-Penny! Airlines ‘Pod’ Pisser!!!
It’s Pick-A-Penny! Airline’s new Customer Participation Program! You won’t believe how much $$$ you can save! You just have to be willing to help out a little!

Music Credits:
Amy Dalley - Lets Try Goodbye

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Well I’m just sittin’ here at the friendly neighborhood coffee joint which doesn’t need any more publicity then it already has; That’s TFNCJWDNAMPTIAH (…us pilot’s love abbreviations), when I’m browsing YouTube.Com and I find this little jewel… Hehe.

Minimum Requirements:
- A computer
- A chair
- An open mind

Recommended:
- Go full screen
- Turn your sound up ALL the way
- Put on a seat belt
- Take a deep breath

Enjoy
~Captn’ Chris

Filed under: Videos | |

Until this week, the revolutionary (a term based on my own personal experience) iPhone only gave you one choice for a cell phone carrier, AT&T.

That sucked.

So, this teenager from New Jersey just took apart his iPhone, made it work on T-Mobile, and then uploaded the video of it to YouTube.

And now we have another classic example of how the internet has provided a catalyst for regular ‘John Does’ to take control of the winds of societal direction back from the corporations.

Sweet Jesus…

Perhaps now that Apple sees it’s own customers ripping apart their phones in order to get them to work on other networks, they will get the message.

And finally, I will be in the market for one.
~Capt’n Chris

Filed under: Off Topic | |

Industrial Strength OintmentWell if you follow airline news at all (and the author assumes you do, otherwise you wouldn’t be here) then you’ve probably heard about the recent rash (industrial strength ointment required) of close-calls involving near misses between airliners at LAX, America’s 3rd busiest airport.

I just finished reading FAA, WestJet Bicker Over Who’s At Fault In LAX Incursion.

It describes how a WestJet 737 and a Northwest Airlines Airbus came within 37 feet of each other as the Airbus was using runway 24L for take off and the 737 was starting to cross the same runway.

More then a dozen times a month, I am the pilot in the same position the WestJet 737 was, holding between runways 24L and 24R. So, coming away from this article with a little more detail about this near miss has left me with a few reflections that I’d like to share with you in particular.

The WestJet pilot switched frequencies between the runways and called the ground controller- A no-no as far as standard procedure here in the states is concerned. Notice I didn’t say ‘regulatory procedure,’ I only said standard procedure. After the call by WestJet, “the ground controller assumed that the tower controller had instructed the flight to cross runway 24L and responded, “WJA900, Los Angeles tower, taxi [via taxiway] echo to the gate.”

The Sour Grape Here- This was as WestJet was still in between the runways. The ground controller should have verified their position before clearing them anywhere, and not just assumed anything when hundreds of lives were at stake.

FAA Quote #1: “It is our position that the actions of the WestJet pilot contributed to the incident by creating confusion in the air traffic controller’s mind”

FAA Quote #2: “But we couldn’t find a specific federal aviation regulation to that effect.”

What!?! What did he just say?

The Luster of this Turd

The problem(s) lie in the fact that there are no established, concrete procedures in place at LAX for this situation. Having been in this very spot several times, why the WestJet Pilot would switch to ground control so early is beyond me. However, I have to side with WestJet on it because of the lack overall of an established procedure, once more. Interestingly though, the procedure in Canada is rock solid on this - You have to wait to switch to ground control until after you’ve crossed all active runways. So, one would have to ask why then did this WestJet pilot stray so far from his/her own established norms?

~Capt’n Chris

Filed under: TidBits | |