The CEO of United Airlines seeks to reassure passengers about the safety of the airline.
The CEO of United Airlines says that the carrier has reviewed its staff safety training in response to a series of events recently when portions of aluminum skin have fallen off flights and caused another jet to lose a wheel. According to CEO Scott Kirby, the airline is already preparing to add a day of training for pilots beginning in May and is modifying the curriculum for mechanics who are hired recently. Kirby made an effort to reassure passengers that safety is the airline’s first concern in a message sent to customers on Monday.
Regretfully, our airline has had a number of mishaps in recent weeks that serve as a reminder of how important safety is,” he stated. “While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that we are aware of these incidents and our focus is on them.”
Even with well-publicized problems, flying is still safe.
Kirby that the airline is analyzing all of the recent incidents and using the information to determine what security protocols and training need to be “enhanced.” He said arrangements were already in place, such as an extra day of training for pilots, although he did not elaborate.
While a few recent accidents, such cracks in multi-layer windshields, usually go unnoticed, the sheer volume of incidents involving an airline on social media has resulted in clicks and news coverage.
After a panel tore a Boeing 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines from 16,000 feet above Oregon in January, inspectors claim the panel was missing its fasteners, which may have contributed to United’s increased anxiety regarding aviation security.
John Cox, a safety consultant and former airline pilot, stated, “I don’t see a major safety issue at United.” “The media is scrutinizing occurrences more closely and exaggerating them. Everything involving a united aircraft is reported.”
Cox stated that the occurrences “are unfortunate and they are getting a lot of attention, but I don’t see them indicating a flaw in the commercial aviation system.”
How to Determine Whether Your Upcoming Flight Will Be on a Boeing 737 Max 9.
In United’s most recent incident, a 1998-built Boeing 737-800 had a portion of its external aluminum shell fall off it on Friday.
A combined flight from Dallas to San Francisco also experienced a hydraulic leak last week, while a second flight to San Francisco had to return to Australia two hours after takeoff because of an unanticipated “maintenance issue.”
This month began with a United flight returning to Houston due to an engine fire, and a United Boeing 777 tire coming off on takeoff in San Francisco.
Errors have occurred in joint aircraft while they were stationary. Investigators were notified by pilots on a plane last month that the rudder pedals on the aircraft malfunctioned upon landing in Newark, New Jersey.
This month, a plane making a landing in Houston skidded onto a taxiway and became lodged in the grass. Employees had to use temporary stairs to assist passengers in getting off the aircraft.
Federal investigators are conducting investigations into several of the occurrences, none of which had any reported injuries.
