Boyd Torches LaHood on today's blog entry
09-27-2010, 06:59 AM
#1
Can't abide NAI
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Douglas Aerospace post production Flight Test & Work Around Engineering bulletin dissembler
Posts: 12,037
Boyd Torches LaHood on today's blog entry
Boyd's giving Turkey Neck heck this week:
My favorite is this new definition for an "empty suit:" = direct competition for what's hanging on the racks at Mens' Wearhouse.
DOT: Finally Full Washington Disclosure: Truth Really isn't Acceptable
It's no secret that a lot of what goes on inside the Beltway could make the Corelone Family look virtuous. Honesty, values, and transparency on Capitol Hill are not appreciated - they get in the way of business as usual. Now, it's official policy, at least at the DOT.
Last month United Airlines reported to the DOT regarding a couple of flights that, probably due to the DOT's incompetent management of ATC upgrades, were delayed over three hours. The airline believed this was required by Secretary LaHood's "Tarmac" rules.
The DOT promptly fined United. Not for violating the rule, but for not violating it. See, the DOT determined that, although the flights were delayed over three hours, United treated the passengers properly and in accordance with the rule. But the DOT nailed United for $6,000 for "wasting" the DOT's precious time in investigating the incidents, and determining that United had complied with their stupid rules.
La Hood and his Merry Band of top DOT henchmen are an embarrassment to America. He's direct competition for what's hanging on the racks at Mens' Wearhouse. At a time when the FAA needs to be funded properly, when the air traffic control system is putting lives at risk (a 100-foot near miss at MSP last week is the latest example), and at a time when aviation needs leadership, these Bozos are showboating the public with grand pronouncements about how valuable their time is.
But, in fairness, LaHood ought to know about wasting time. He's been an expert at it for the last two years.
It's no secret that a lot of what goes on inside the Beltway could make the Corelone Family look virtuous. Honesty, values, and transparency on Capitol Hill are not appreciated - they get in the way of business as usual. Now, it's official policy, at least at the DOT.
Last month United Airlines reported to the DOT regarding a couple of flights that, probably due to the DOT's incompetent management of ATC upgrades, were delayed over three hours. The airline believed this was required by Secretary LaHood's "Tarmac" rules.
The DOT promptly fined United. Not for violating the rule, but for not violating it. See, the DOT determined that, although the flights were delayed over three hours, United treated the passengers properly and in accordance with the rule. But the DOT nailed United for $6,000 for "wasting" the DOT's precious time in investigating the incidents, and determining that United had complied with their stupid rules.
La Hood and his Merry Band of top DOT henchmen are an embarrassment to America. He's direct competition for what's hanging on the racks at Mens' Wearhouse. At a time when the FAA needs to be funded properly, when the air traffic control system is putting lives at risk (a 100-foot near miss at MSP last week is the latest example), and at a time when aviation needs leadership, these Bozos are showboating the public with grand pronouncements about how valuable their time is.
But, in fairness, LaHood ought to know about wasting time. He's been an expert at it for the last two years.
09-27-2010, 09:19 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: 737 CAPT
Posts: 1,900
I agree this fine was absolutely stupid.
With these new tarmac delay rules in effect, what is wrong with an airline submitting information that says:
XX = # of 3+ hour delays
XX = # of flights that could not get to a gate to deplane
XX = # of flights delayed but within the DOT guidelines for pax handling
UAL was between a rock and a hard place. If they reported all flights and none were subject to the rule, they would be fined for wasting the time. If they didn't report the flights and some passenger complained, the DOT would have fined UA for not reporting it and requiring an investigation to verify UA complied with the tarmac rule.
By submitting all the detailed information, I would think the DOT would be glad to see the airlines are conforming with the rule and how they did it.
With these new tarmac delay rules in effect, what is wrong with an airline submitting information that says:
XX = # of 3+ hour delays
XX = # of flights that could not get to a gate to deplane
XX = # of flights delayed but within the DOT guidelines for pax handling
UAL was between a rock and a hard place. If they reported all flights and none were subject to the rule, they would be fined for wasting the time. If they didn't report the flights and some passenger complained, the DOT would have fined UA for not reporting it and requiring an investigation to verify UA complied with the tarmac rule.
By submitting all the detailed information, I would think the DOT would be glad to see the airlines are conforming with the rule and how they did it.
