CJC3407

Those of us who work in aviation know about the DH8Q (labeled Q400 by the media) that crashed on approach into BUF a few months ago. Those of us in aviation (particularly pilots and controllers) know that regional pilots are usually low paid and relatively inexperienced (just like controllers these days). Well, the NTSB is having hearings on the crash. From FoxNews and CNN, the NTSB has discovered that Captain Renslow had failed five check rides (though he had passed the previous one) and had no training on icing conditions and procedures for recovering from a stall, aside from classroom training (no simulator training; i.e. you learn by doing). FO Shaw (who made only $20,000 a year) was heard on the CVR as complaining that she was congested and should have called in sick. Additionally, she had to catch a redeye flight in order to be able to fly the doomed flight into BUF.

Those of us who work in ATC can already see the comparisons. Low time pilots (or controllers), poor qualifications (if you cannot meet the standard, lower the standard; train to succeed), glossed over, poorly designed training (URET, ERAM, ICAO flight plans), pressure from management (presumably, I'm guessing here, but it seems likely, CNN and the NTSB has also speculated) to not get a second job and to show up for work regardless of your condition.