March 2015 Chit Chat

I heard today that the co-pilot had a medical condition, depression, that was diagnosed but which he hid from his employers. They also said there was a doctor's note saying he was not fit to fly which the co-pilot also hid.

Depressed due to issues with his girlfriend, mental/depression issues, hiding his condition and he decides to take out 150 with him. Absolutely APPALLING.

There needs to be some sort of mandatory psych testing on and ongoing basis before ANY pilot is allowed to fly!

Yes this is really awful. I'm sure they will think of new law's and changing law's soon to make sure this doesn't repeat again that easy. You would never think a Pilot would do something like that.

There already is some sort of psych testing, but unless someone is out and out cuckoo, it can be hidden.

I wonder if they shouldn't have an air marshall in the cockpit on all flights.  In the past on at least US flights there was a third pilot that sat behind the pilot and co-pilot.  He basically was there to handle mechanics but I think a third official pilot or air marshall  would be an appropriate safety guard.  Would make it much harder for one person to follow through on some nefarious act in the cockpit.

I think trying to solve this problem by just instituting further phychological testing alone isn't going to be enough to ensure cockpit safety. People are very, very clever at covering up their emotional or mental issues if they really want to.  Certainly happened in this case.

Maybe if a pilot is unfit to fly his doctor should have to notify the airline as well as  the pilot (in writing). That way he couldn't hide his condition and the airline could take whatever action they thought necessary.

@melbert wrote:I'm here every day.  Just don't feel the need to enter into some of the banter that would set me off.  So, I'll stay silent on the topics that rile me.

You had me a bit worried girlfriend.  Glad to hear you're just exercising judical patience.

thank you.

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