Dr. Curtis interview about FAA rules on passenger electronics

An April 19, 2012 bird strike near JFK brings up issues about FAA rules on the use of electronic devices by passengers, and why those rules may have to change.

The issue was the FAA response to a video posted by a passenger that showed the birds striking the aircraft. For details on that story, including the video shot by the passenger, check out the AirSafeNews.com article on this event.

You can also listen to the interview Dr. Curtis gave to WTOP radio about this event.

Interview on the Radio America Show 'The Gregg Knapp Experience' - 14 April 2008

This interview from the Radio America show The Gregg Knapp Experience focused on issues that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discussed in their hearings that started on April 3rd, 2008. Topics covered included the threats that were alleged to have been directed at whistleblowers in the FAA who wanted to report problems with the oversight process.

You can download the episode directly at http://www.airsafe.com/podcasts/show47_knapp.mp3.
You can also find other AirSafe.com podcasts at podcast.airsafe.org

Other Resources
Notes from shows on related subjects

Interview on the BBC Show 'The World Today' - 7 April 2008

This interview from the BBC show The World Today focused on issues that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discussed in their hearings that started on April 3rd, 2008. Topics covered included the role of whistleblowers in the FAA and whether the FAA is doing their job of protecting those who fly.

You can download the episode directly at http://www.airsafe.com/podcasts/show46_bbc.mp3.
You can also find other AirSafe.com podcasts at podcast.airsafe.org

Other Resources
Notes from shows on related subjects

Interview on the Ankarlo Morning Show on KTAR Radio in Phoenix - 3 April 2008

This discussion with KTAR host Darrell Ankarlo focused on issues that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would likely discuss in their hearings that started on April 3rd, 2008. The key issue of concern in the hearing was the relationship between the FAA and the airlines, specifically whether the recent problems with the FAA's oversight of Southwest Airlines were a symptom of a broader problem within the agency.

You can download the episode directly at http://www.airsafe.com/podcasts/show44_ktar.mp3.
You can also find other AirSafe.com podcasts at podcast.airsafe.org

Other Resources
Notes from shows on related subjects

The FAA Inspection Process and Southwest Airlines

In this Conversation, Dr. Todd Curtis discusses a proposed $10.2 million dollar fine against Southwest Airlines and how problems with FAA safety inspection process allowed the airline to continue to fly airplanes that were not in compliance with a mandatory safety inspection. Dr. Curtis also discusses the role the FAA played in allowing Southwest to fly out of compliance aircraft, and how subsequent actions by the FAA may ensure that all airline operators may be following the rules but may also inconvenience passengers and undermines their confidence in the FAA.

You can download several versions of this episode:
Audio: MP3 | Video: iPod/MP4 | WMV | Google Video | YouTube

If you visit faa.airsafe.org, you will find links to the podcast, as well as a transcript and links to additional resources.

You can also find other AirSafe.com podcasts at podcast.airsafe.org

Interview with Kate Hanni of the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights

Kate Hanni is one of the founders of the Coalition for Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights. On December 29, 2006, she was a passenger on one of the more than 120 American Airlines flights that were diverted to alternate airports due to weather. Passengers on dozens of those flights were forced to wait on board their aircraft for more than three hours. On Kate Hanni’s flight, the wait was over eight hours, an ordeal that included overstressed toilets, a lack of fresh water and fresh air, and an even greater lack of compassion from the airline.

Kate did far more than just complain about her flight, she and other stranded passengers formed their nonprofit group with the goal of having legislation passed to ensure that this kind of event would not happen again. Her work and the work of her group have been frequently profiled by major news organizations. She’s also testified to the U.S. Congress and to state legislatures around the country.

This interview from February 5, 2008 covers several of the areas of interest of the group, including changing the airline industry's rules on how delayed passengers should be treated. Also discussed was the role that the AirSafe.com can play in bringing about these changes.

Resources
Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights
http://flyersrights.org/

Passenger Complaint Resources
http://airlinecomplaints.airsafe.org

For more information about the show, or about how to subscribe using iTunes, visit the podcast page at AirSafe.com.
You can also download the episode directly at http://www.airsafe.com/podcasts/show38_paxrights.mp3.