JetBlue Latest and Greatest
04-09-2019, 10:57 AM
#7821
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: A220 CA
Posts: 607
I have a feeling the 190 is going to stick around a while longer than forecasted...
Does anyone know if they are re-painting the 190s? I swear I saw a 190 the other day with the new “highrise” tailfin and what looked like a fresh coat of paint. Why paint them if you are going to replace them anyway? Unless it is one of the 30 we own and plan to keep longer?
Does anyone know if they are re-painting the 190s? I swear I saw a 190 the other day with the new “highrise” tailfin and what looked like a fresh coat of paint. Why paint them if you are going to replace them anyway? Unless it is one of the 30 we own and plan to keep longer?
04-09-2019, 11:07 AM
#7822
The REAL Bluedriver
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Position: Airbus Capt
Posts: 6,918
Flown both for several years. Couldn't take the E190 on my back any longer, and was over the 4-leg days never leaving the state of NY. You heard that right. Better pay, better trips, better work day/week. But my hand is never far from my O2 mask.
04-09-2019, 11:13 AM
#7823
Covfefe
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,001
Also there are blood tests I'd recommend getting annually, so you have proof of your levels if you get hit with a fume event. Levels vary in each individual, and if you ever go out on medical because of fumes, it'd be very difficult to directly link fumes with the ailments it causes (headaches, memory loss, cardiac issues, neurologic issues, etc., as those things can happen with age as well) without having baseline levels on file. If you have baselines numbers, then have highly elevated levels with subsequent issues after a fume event, it's a lot more definitive.
Here's a post from bluepilots about the tests:
Went for my medical on monday here in Pittsburgh, and had a great discussion about fumes with my AME. He he was a part of the USAir DC-9 fumes investigation in the 80s. Similar events and similar results as what we are dealing with today.
He met and worked with ALPA, the FAA, and the USAir CEO at the time. From his work, and his end of things as a medical professional, they couldn't find anything other than sick pilots and flight attendants. Then it fizzled into nothing. No more meetings. No followups to his inquiries. Nothing.
He was surprised (but not surprised) by the lack of information that is being released to us, considering this has been going on for decades.
With that, he gave me a blood work prescription. Just got back from the lab this morning and will post the results when I get them.
He ordered a full chemical exposure lab test (five items) and it looks like it'll cost me $25.61. I know nothing of this stuff, so I'll just type what was printed in the summary:
CBC W/DIFF
CMP
VENIPUNCTURE
CHOLINESTERASE;SERUM
CHOLINESTERASE;RBC
He met and worked with ALPA, the FAA, and the USAir CEO at the time. From his work, and his end of things as a medical professional, they couldn't find anything other than sick pilots and flight attendants. Then it fizzled into nothing. No more meetings. No followups to his inquiries. Nothing.
He was surprised (but not surprised) by the lack of information that is being released to us, considering this has been going on for decades.
With that, he gave me a blood work prescription. Just got back from the lab this morning and will post the results when I get them.
He ordered a full chemical exposure lab test (five items) and it looks like it'll cost me $25.61. I know nothing of this stuff, so I'll just type what was printed in the summary:
CBC W/DIFF
CMP
VENIPUNCTURE
CHOLINESTERASE;SERUM
CHOLINESTERASE;RBC
To answer your question though, some people do stay on the 190 to avoid fumes. But the pay, schedules, workload, etc., is worth it for some despite the risk if the O2 mask can partially mitigate it when needed.
04-09-2019, 11:20 AM
#7824
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 315
There's an O2 mask right next to bus pilots (although it can apparently enter the body through the skin).
Also there are blood tests I'd recommend getting annually, so you have proof of your levels if you get hit with a fume event. Levels vary in each individual, and if you ever go out on medical because of fumes, it'd be very difficult to directly link fumes with the ailments it causes (headaches, memory loss, cardiac issues, neurologic issues, etc., as those things can happen with age as well) without having baseline levels on file. If you have baselines numbers, then have highly elevated levels with subsequent issues after a fume event, it's a lot more definitive.
Here's a post from bluepilots about the tests:
The last 2 are the tests that detect TCP exposure.
To answer your question though, some people do stay on the 190 to avoid fumes. But the pay, schedules, workload, etc., is worth it for some despite the risk if the O2 mask can partially mitigate it when needed.
Also there are blood tests I'd recommend getting annually, so you have proof of your levels if you get hit with a fume event. Levels vary in each individual, and if you ever go out on medical because of fumes, it'd be very difficult to directly link fumes with the ailments it causes (headaches, memory loss, cardiac issues, neurologic issues, etc., as those things can happen with age as well) without having baseline levels on file. If you have baselines numbers, then have highly elevated levels with subsequent issues after a fume event, it's a lot more definitive.
Here's a post from bluepilots about the tests:
The last 2 are the tests that detect TCP exposure.
To answer your question though, some people do stay on the 190 to avoid fumes. But the pay, schedules, workload, etc., is worth it for some despite the risk if the O2 mask can partially mitigate it when needed.
04-09-2019, 11:22 AM
#7825
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 315
I thought this could possibly be a cumulative exposure thing? Like you are breathing it in over time and not even knowing it. If that is the case then you may have elevated levels of TCP without having ever smelled the wet socks or magic marker. Thus, having your hand near the mask is not a help.
04-09-2019, 11:30 AM
#7826
The REAL Bluedriver
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Position: Airbus Capt
Posts: 6,918
I thought this could possibly be a cumulative exposure thing? Like you are breathing it in over time and not even knowing it. If that is the case then you may have elevated levels of TCP without having ever smelled the wet socks or magic marker. Thus, having your hand near the mask is not a help.
04-09-2019, 11:31 AM
#7827
Covfefe
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,001
You have those tests done at a lab and of course they give you the results. They are your records. Your doctor (or google) may give you normal levels.
That guy followed up and posted this:
Another guy posted his results and his doctor had slightly different ranges that he considered "normal."
Apparently if you have an event and put your tie in a ziplock bag it can be tested as well, but I'm not sure how to do that.
That guy followed up and posted this:
Got my results back today. The "reference ranges" are as defined by the LabCorp test results:
Cholinesterase, RBC - 7397... Reference range 5300-10000
Cholinesterase, Plasma - 2745... Reference range 1000-3500
I'm pretty much right in the middle. I've only had one fume event. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, it occurred a couple of years ago at the gate in MCO when I turned on the APU bleed.
Cholinesterase, RBC - 7397... Reference range 5300-10000
Cholinesterase, Plasma - 2745... Reference range 1000-3500
I'm pretty much right in the middle. I've only had one fume event. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, it occurred a couple of years ago at the gate in MCO when I turned on the APU bleed.
Apparently if you have an event and put your tie in a ziplock bag it can be tested as well, but I'm not sure how to do that.
04-09-2019, 11:52 AM
#7829
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 315
You have those tests done at a lab and of course they give you the results. They are your records. Your doctor (or google) may give you normal levels.
That guy followed up and posted this:
Another guy posted his results and his doctor had slightly different ranges that he considered "normal."
Apparently if you have an event and put your tie in a ziplock bag it can be tested as well, but I'm not sure how to do that.
That guy followed up and posted this:
Another guy posted his results and his doctor had slightly different ranges that he considered "normal."
Apparently if you have an event and put your tie in a ziplock bag it can be tested as well, but I'm not sure how to do that.
04-09-2019, 12:02 PM
#7830
Covfefe
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,001
I don't think you are understanding what a baseline test is. Those results are from a baseline test he's now getting every year. He hasn't had a fume event in years. So his "normal" levels are now established. There is some research that shows the stuff leaves your body in a a few days, or a week or two (if I remember correctly, and based on the quantity and other factors). But the damage/reaction your body has may or may not go away...that's where each individual reacts differently, and the cumulative measure isn't necessarily based on a specific amount of TCP in your system, but from damage each exposure, whether large or small, causes. So he wouldn't have permanently elevated levels. The reason behind getting a baseline test is not to see what your levels are, but to have something to compare it to right after you have an event. Then you can compare your recently exposed levels to non-exposed levels, which more easily links symptoms to the event, as opposed to other factors in life (old age, other health issues, etc.).
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