Community Chat

[HollyDays]

If someone has mental illness then they should not fly a plane a be response for the lives of others. I understand they are afraid to report it because they know it will cost them their job, so what do you think the solution should be?

[SydneyH]

A massive lawsuit is coming their way, he was treated before he was hired AND after and was never removed from rotation. Unbelievable.

[Plaid Pants2]

If the pilot comes forward and says that he, or she needs help, I think that his or her job should be held for them, while they seek treatment.

[Free2be]

He could have provided simulation training for new pilots. People who have feelings of suicidal ideation should not be flying planes with passengers. Not even if they recover because it is possible, even likely, the feelings will at some point return if/when depression sets back in.

The stakes are too high to be lenient.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

Of course they should lose their job as a pilot, but they could be re-trained to work elsewhere in the company where safety isn't an issue.

[dooBdoo]

Hi, HollyDays!

I know it's a sticky wicket, but so far my opinion is that the pilots' physicians and therapists should be designated as "mandated reporters" and pilots whose abilities are in question should be reassigned to other positions away from the cockpit.

It's so complicated, because doing this has the potential of causing pilots to avoid getting medical diagnoses or treatments, but when we place the lives of so many in their hands... well, even though there's no perfect solution we need to take steps to try and provide more protections.

[lulu2]

We have a neighbor who is a pilot. He suffers from depression and has been deemed unfit to fly. He's been collecting his full salary and benefits since 1/14. He plans to ride it out until 1/16, when he will retire.

[brii]

On 3/30/2015 Free2be said:

He could have provided simulation training for new pilots. People who have feelings of suicidal ideation should not be flying planes with passengers. Not even if they recover because it is possible, even likely, the feelings will at some point return if/when depression sets back in.

The stakes are too high to be lenient.

I completely agree.

[dooBdoo]

On 3/30/2015 brii said:

On 3/30/2015 Free2be said:

He could have provided simulation training for new pilots. People who have feelings of suicidal ideation should not be flying planes with passengers. Not even if they recover because it is possible, even likely, the feelings will at some point return if/when depression sets back in.

The stakes are too high to be lenient.

I completely agree.

I agree, too.

[Lion]

On 3/30/2015 lulu2 said:

We have a neighbor who is a pilot. He suffers from depression and has been deemed unfit to fly. He's been collecting his full salary and benefits since 1/14. He plans to ride it out until 1/16, when he will retire.

I think that's a very important point.

Pilots might be more likely to self-report and less fearful if they weren't afraid of losing their income and benefits.