Southwest Presents Dilemma for FAA: Unauthorized Parts Used on 15% of Aircraft

[uva185]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167359024470771.html

"The Federal Aviation Administration's discovery of a significant maintenance lapse at Southwest Airlines Co. -- unauthorized parts used for up to three years on 82 planes -- presents a vexing policy question for the agency."

It seems it's just one thing after another with Southwest and maintenance issues. A fuselage that rips open in mid-flight, a $7.5 million fine by the FAA for massively cheating on regular maintenance, and now this.

Maintenance is definitely not the type of cost cutting that should be happening!!

[MarkinNM]

Originally Posted by uva185

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167359024470771.html

"The Federal Aviation Administration's discovery of a significant maintenance lapse at Southwest Airlines Co. -- unauthorized parts used for up to three years on 82 planes -- presents a vexing policy question for the agency."

It seems it's just one thing after another with Southwest and maintenance issues. A fuselage that rips open in mid-flight, a $7.5 million fine by the FAA for massively cheating on regular maintenance, and now this.

Maintenance is definitely not the type of cost cutting that should be happening!!

RUN THE SKY IS FALLING.....................

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Southwest now sends its planes to El Salvador for maintenance.... if that makes you feel better.

Nothing like keeping jobs in america...

Originally Posted by uva185

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167359024470771.html

"The Federal Aviation Administration's discovery of a significant maintenance lapse at Southwest Airlines Co. -- unauthorized parts used for up to three years on 82 planes -- presents a vexing policy question for the agency."

It seems it's just one thing after another with Southwest and maintenance issues. A fuselage that rips open in mid-flight, a $7.5 million fine by the FAA for massively cheating on regular maintenance, and now this.

Maintenance is definitely not the type of cost cutting that should be happening!!

[Lewisc]

SW was given until December to replace the parts. The unauthorized parts were done by a vendor in the United States, before SW started to send the planes to South America for maintenance.

It doesn't make me feel safe when an outsourced vendor, hired by an outsourced vendor, makes a decision to go with unauthorized parts.

[dburg30]

I personally think it's all about politics and money. These parts were 'not FAA approved'. That doesnt mean they wont work, that doesnt mean they wont work as good as the 'approved ones'. It doesnt mean they will or wont fail. It doesnt mean a damn thing except that somewhere, some politician got their palm greased to get their parts 'approved' meaning that airlines have to buy from them, for I'm sure a higher price then the same 'unapproved' part. Yea, I'm sure someone will jump in about the parts not being as safe or something like that, and you're allowed your opinions, but it'll be hard to change mine . Did they break the rules, yep sure appears so, should they pay a fine, well, if I get caught speeding, I'm going to pay so, yep. Do I feel any less safe flying because of this? Nope, sure dont

[jlewisinsyr]

Dburg30: I agree that its irresponsible to automatically assume the part is unsafe, but the regulation is in place for a reason and part of that is to ensure safety of parts used and to hold manufacturers responsible if parts fail.

Car parts go through much of the same testing, getting DOT approvals, etc. Sure their is a political side to it, but its also about general safety and quality requirements.

For me, there are many reasons I choose not to fly SW (besides the fact they don't service our airport), and this would just add to the list (although, note this part issue was a contractor issue more then SW).

[chicagodisneyfan]

Originally Posted by ExPirateShopGirl

Southwest now sends its planes to El Salvador for maintenance.... if that makes you feel better.

I think Jetblue and UsAir go to El Salvador for heavy maintenance too.
United does some work in China.

I think the only airline that does not outsource the majority of maintenance is American?

[Lewisc]

What that means is we don't have the slightest idea if the parts are safe. The FAA didn't approve them as safe. The airplane mfg didn't approve them as safe. Southwest didn't approve them as safe.

The decision was made by a vendor that was hired by the vendor that Southwest hired to perform maintenance.A vendor that was selected based on cost. A decision that was made based on the price of the replacement part. I don't know that for a fact but that's the most logical reason for not using a part supplied by Boeing.

I feel less safe knowing a maintenance company for a major airline sees fit to use whatever parts they get for cheap.

edited to add Although this may be a contractor issue southwest is responsible to make sure the work is done properly. A low price should suggest the possibility of "corners" being cut.

Originally Posted by dburg30

I personally think it's all about politics and money. These parts were 'not FAA approved'. That doesnt mean they wont work, that doesnt mean they wont work as good as the 'approved ones'. It doesnt mean they will or wont fail. It doesnt mean a damn thing except that somewhere, some politician got their palm greased to get their parts 'approved' meaning that airlines have to buy from them, for I'm sure a higher price then the same 'unapproved' part. Yea, I'm sure someone will jump in about the parts not being as safe or something like that, and you're allowed your opinions, but it'll be hard to change mine . Did they break the rules, yep sure appears so, should they pay a fine, well, if I get caught speeding, I'm going to pay so, yep. Do I feel any less safe flying because of this? Nope, sure dont

[MarkinNM]

Originally Posted by dburg30

I personally think it's all about politics and money. These parts were 'not FAA approved'. That doesnt mean they wont work, that doesnt mean they wont work as good as the 'approved ones'. It doesnt mean they will or wont fail. It doesnt mean a damn thing except that somewhere, some politician got their palm greased to get their parts 'approved' meaning that airlines have to buy from them, for I'm sure a higher price then the same 'unapproved' part. Yea, I'm sure someone will jump in about the parts not being as safe or something like that, and you're allowed your opinions, but it'll be hard to change mine . Did they break the rules, yep sure appears so, should they pay a fine, well, if I get caught speeding, I'm going to pay so, yep. Do I feel any less safe flying because of this? Nope, sure dont

WELL SAID!!! And prob not too far from the truth.......

Originally Posted by chicagodisneyfan

I think Jetblue and UsAir go to El Salvador for heavy maintenance too.
United does some work in China.

I think the only airline that does not outsource the majority of maintenance is American?

Wow thanks for pointing this out......................

[disneygrandma]

What about flights that are booked for the end of Nov and beginning of Dec? These flights were chosen for their departure times, connecting airport, etc. Will SW be grounding planes? Will flights be changed? Anyone have any insight on this due to this latest report?

First our worry of swine flu, and now this.

[seashoreCM]

OT: But Southwest was apparently judged to be "too big to fail" in that they were allowed to fly those planes with the unauthorized parts pending parts replacement while a smaller airline might have been grounded.

Otherwise many of us (DIS'ers) would have been inconvenienced.

Originally Posted by uva185

It seems it's just one thing after another with Southwest and maintenance issues. A fuselage that rips open in mid-flight, a $7.5 million fine by the FAA for massively cheating on regular maintenance, and now this. !!

Except that one too many thing and Southwest would be grounded.

Anyone remember Aloha Airlines and a fuselage that ripped open in flight?

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

[Telcogirl]

Originally Posted by ExPirateShopGirl

Southwest now sends its planes to El Salvador for maintenance.... if that makes you feel better.

Nothing like keeping jobs in america...

I am a huge Southwest loyalist. BUT, I think that an airline that only flies domestically should not be sending their planes to Central America for maintenance.

[ExPirateShopGirl]

All of American's heavy maintenance is performed in the United States at one of three facilities. In fact, American performs heavy maintenance for several airlines at its facilities.

Jet Blue has one of the youngest fleets in the world. Most of its planes are still subject to manufacturer-managed line maintenance at its facilities in NY. I would have no issue with flying Jetblue.

Originally Posted by chicagodisneyfan

I think Jetblue and UsAir go to El Salvador for heavy maintenance too.
United does some work in China.

I think the only airline that does not outsource the majority of maintenance is American?

[uva185]

Originally Posted by chicagodisneyfan

I think Jetblue and UsAir go to El Salvador for heavy maintenance too.
United does some work in China.

I think the only airline that does not outsource the majority of maintenance is American?

Delta also does the majority of its maintenance at their facility in Atlanta. In fact they also do maintenance for other airlines and government aircraft. I toured the facility back in June and it is quite a massive and impressive facility!

[chicagodisneyfan]

Originally Posted by uva185

Delta also does the majority of its maintenance at their facility in Atlanta. In fact they also do maintenance for other airlines and government aircraft. I toured the facility back in June and it is quite a massive and impressive facility!

Not according to the US Transportation Department!

The United States Transportation Department has found that nine major airlines in the United States outsourced over 70% of their major aircraft maintenance in 2007, compared to 34% in 2003.

The nine US-based airlines examined by the Transportation Department were AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.