As an engineer and Pilot I was convinced that the manufacturing and servicing of planes has highest standards in regards of quality control.

That may have been a big illusion. After seeing the documentary "A wing and a Prayer" on SBS I was deeply shocked! The movie can be found on the internet and is worth to be watched: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaWdEtANi-0

Now I ask myself how Qantas and Virgin Australia can verify if the fuselages of their new generation Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 have been built without faulty parts. I wonder how pilots may feel flying these planes before it hasn't been verified.

The other question is if CASA will try to check the claims to make sure that Australian passengers are safe, because the FAA and NSB in the USA seem to try to wipe the facts under the carpet.

Shareholder value again seems to be more important than safety and CEO's do not care to bend all rules to maximise profit.

Maybe I have meantime to change my preferences and fly Jetstar who's fleet shows Airbus models and Boeing 717's only.

ChrisH

Dear Chris,

Thanks for this thread.

My husband saw that SBS program and was absolutely horrified, same as you. In addition to the Boeing 737's NG he's also made a note to avoid airbus 380, that had reports of engine problems.

At that rate the airlines will loose many passengers unless they abandon the faulty planes.

I saw enough of the program to get the message. I’m flying from north Queensland to Perth in a few hours. It seems that there is a lot more to worry about than being delayed by volcanic ash!

Dear Ludwig,

Have a safe flight Ludwig.

Thinking of you.

What type of aircraft do you fly Chris? From your post I would guess it's little ones.

I'm an old navy fleet air arm pilot. Even then we had a light shining in a mirror to help us down. I take my hat off to the old timers who did it with a bloke waving at them with a couple of tennis racket like things.

The first thing that worries me today is how old some airliners are. Some of the ships that the navy considered worn out, & sank for dive wrecks, were younger than some aircraft still in commercial fleets.

Then we see how automated modern commercial stuff is. There's a bl00dy computer in there second guessing the pilot, & deciding if it will allow him to do what he wants to do. I can only suppose that has been done because so many pilots wanted to do the wrong thing. Really frightening. Hell, I won't even drive a fly by wire car, after the trouble Toyota had with those Camry computers, & as for stability control, I shudder at the thought of what it could do to you.

I don't think we have too many pilots left who would be capable of making that landing in the Hudson river that saved a plane load of passengers, when the computer aids stop working along with the engines. All to often the pilot appears to be a passenger, if any of the systems start playing up.

The roads may be becoming a bit of a pain, but I'll take the car thanks, but make it an old simple one.

I played a small roll in a long running aircraft dispute.
At its end a victory was won.
But solid friendships built then WARNED us all quietly but EXTREMELY firmly,do not travel on one fleet.
Servicing had been bad wheels had dropped of on the tarmac.
I am no longer a union official,but never for legal reasons tell what firm.
This is not anti flying,not anti boss not anti anything
Australian servicing standards are no longer the ones we grew up with.
I would still fly,but not on one fleet.