Flying Cheaper (full documentary)

Flying Cheaper (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

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10 ай бұрын

In 2011, FRONTLINE investigated a growing trend of airlines outsourcing their heavy aircraft maintenance from in-house to independent repair facilities. (Aired 2011)
This journalism is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: www.pbs.org/donate.
In the 2011 documentary “Flying Cheaper,” FRONTLINE examined the outsourcing of major airline repair work to U.S.-based contractors who kept costs low by using unlicensed mechanics and to foreign-based maintenance operations, from China to El Salvador. FRONTLINE correspondent Miles O’Brien investigated reports of undertrained mechanics, foreign workers who couldn’t read English language repair manuals, inadequate FAA oversight and the use of unauthorized airline parts.
“Flying Cheaper” was a co-production with the Investigative Reporting Workshop that was produced by Rick Young and Catherine Rentz. Miles O’Brien was the correspondent. Rick Young was the writer. Leslie Atkins was the editor. Raney Aronson-Rath was series senior producer. David Fanning was executive producer.
Explore additional reporting on "Flying Cheaper" on our website:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/do...
#Documentary #AirlineSafety #AirplaneMaintenance
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FRONTLINE is produced at GBH in Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Park Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen.
CHAPTERS:
Airplane Maintenance, Repairs and Safety - 01:04
An Independent Airplane Repair Facility in the U.S. - 04:51
How an Independent Airplane Repair Facility “Cleaned Up” Before an FAA Inspection - 12:43
What Happens to the Airline Industry’s Safety Margins? - 15:49
Credits - 18:01

Пікірлер: 517

@juansolo9583 10 ай бұрын

As an aircraft mechanic for a major U.S. airline, I can tell you the cheaper the airline, the cheaper the flight crew and maintenance for that aircraft. Airlines like Spirit who outsource and use only contract maintenance are only surviving right now because their fleet is so new, once their planes get older and more degraded, that’s when we will start seeing more issues and safety concerns for sure.

@stevecooper7883 10 ай бұрын

I didn't know Spirit bought new planes, I thought they did the same as Allegiant and just purchased older planes from other airlines

@VentureCapitalist202 10 ай бұрын

You are 10000000000 % correct.

@twoblacklabs904 8 ай бұрын

@@stevecooper7883… That’s the best thing that Spirit has going for it, the fact that their fleet is relatively new. But once these Airbus A-319’s and A-320’s get a volume of bounces (rough takeoffs or landing cycles), they’re going to need comprehensive airframe overhauls…and they’ll get the lowest bidder to perform it…😳

@BucsRaysBolts 8 ай бұрын

@@twoblacklabs904 They already began retiring their A319s earlier this year, so that will be someone else's problem

@XBarajasX 8 ай бұрын

The secret is to always keep the fleet new 🧏

@louisstennes3 10 ай бұрын

I flew in the Air Force over a 30 year career as an enlisted aircrew member (15 years on status) from props to jets and have the greatest admiration for the ground crews that maintained the "birds." Let me tell you the way to fix any maintenance problems. NO NOTICE inspections by the FAA to every maintenance facility. The gov't official never mentioned no notice inspections. Why? Because they don't want to know the answers. They can do no notice inspections overseas in contractor facilities that are maintaining US registered aircraft. Aircrews are "stand boarded" periodically and maintainers should have high standards too.

@Johnfulkan283 10 ай бұрын

American aviation is self regulatory environment. The producer, end-users, and regulator are almost the same entity.

@louisstennes3 10 ай бұрын

@@Johnfulkan283 The problem is, like many industries, it's a revolving door. A Boeing exec retires and goes to the FAA or is hired by a maintainer or consults. They are in an incestuous relationship. They are not going to jeopardize the relationship that "butters their bread."

@Johnfulkan283 10 ай бұрын

@@louisstennes3 oh yes, something big has to happens for that to change.

@necessaryJustice_4all 10 ай бұрын

Forgive me. “NO NOTICE” is what’s currently in place, and needs to be done away with, or establishing this would fix the maintenance issues? Thanks 🙏🏻

@louisstennes3 10 ай бұрын

@@necessaryJustice_4all I am sure you are correct but it was nothing like no notice inspections I ever experienced on active duty.

@jonwop 9 ай бұрын

As an airline pilot, I can tell you the tip of the spear is the FAA spokeswoman that was interviewed. The FAA is more concerned with their canned response than updating their regulations.

@Yourmission9 10 ай бұрын

Just what you want in an airline mechanic “they start off at 14.00 an hour”. So special, and I realize this video was originally published years ago, but I can’t imagine it’s any better

@AnIdiotwithaSubaru 10 ай бұрын

Even double that isnt enough for someone who is working on an airplane. The people that are skilled and smart enough to do that kind of work will know when they're not paid enough.

@camberiu 10 ай бұрын

The last deadly airline crash in the US happened almost 15 years ago. Obama had just been sworn into the White House. Uber and Instagram did not even exist yet, and the first Avatar movie was yet to be released. This is the longest gap on fatal accident in US history. Aircraft maintenance is FINE.

@aluisious 10 ай бұрын

I'm a maintenance engineer and I make $70 an hour. For $14 an hour I wouldn't let someone do more than polish a hammer. You've got to be kidding.

@reubenmorris487 10 ай бұрын

@@aluisious That $14/hr wouldn't be enough to live on...let alone pay back the loans from training. I wouldn't even fuel your plane for $14/hr.

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

@@aluisious sorry you are over payed if you were getting $70 an hr ,tell that to the baby that was just aborted Or you set in that plane ✈️ . The cost of that ticket Paying it forward is a lot harder then thought🤔

@IIllIIllIIllIIll 10 ай бұрын

Man, this guy is a scrappy journalist! Calling out executives publicly at the trade show, hanging out at dive bars, jumping into dumpsters for clues... Well done!

@gnagyusa 10 ай бұрын

Scary. I really appreciate the fact that the host is a (fellow) pilot. It's important to have someone investigate this who understands the subject.

@jacknakash2677 10 ай бұрын

Have the mechanics fly on their just completed plane and you'll know if it's been "pencil whipped" or not

@MiiPhiMuah 10 ай бұрын

Good idea!

@aluisious 10 ай бұрын

Some people don't care about themselves. Put their kids on it.

@tmmartinesq.6216 10 ай бұрын

@@aluisiousSome don't care about their kids, either. Good luck.

@jenniferbarnes4627 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for putting this together. You've given me a lot to think about.

@sleepspent_ 10 ай бұрын

great content! thanks for doing great work Frontline!

@JameeDuke-jd3iz 10 ай бұрын

I watch this program every week and I love it alot.

@Milagroscrs 10 ай бұрын

Wow this is insane! We have to hold Airlines accountable! Pencil sign off? Holy smokes 😮

@camberiu 10 ай бұрын

Accountable to what exactly? There hasn't been a single deadly crash in the US for 15 years, that the longest interval in recorded history. To put things in perspective, when the last fatal crash happened, Obama had just been sworn into the White House. Uber and Instagram did not even exist yet, and the first Avatar movie was yet to be released. US air travel has never been safer than it is today.

@jcymngo 10 ай бұрын

This is happening when they build the planes too!

@abdiganiaden 10 ай бұрын

Welcome to late stage capitalism where shareholders demand people getting paid freaking $14/hr to service billions in equipment. Also the fact that foreigners are increasingly hired means most Americans with skills don’t even want the job as it’s lower than cost of living.

@lesare6509 10 ай бұрын

My grandpa was a PSA mechanic in the 70s before it was Southwest, he was in San Diego, we got to go see the big area with the planes one time in 72, Grandpa was a airline mechanic in the service, He did that work for years & was very knowledgeable. He made over 70k a year in early 70s! But he was in charge of many guys & he was proud of them, so I know things were sure different back then! This is horrific, but it reminds me of my mother in law, who worked in the towers near the Bay Area, she saw all flight plans for airlines flying in and out of LAX, in Los Angeles, she told us NEVER fly into or out of LA. That there was near misses every few minutes!! She got the job from being trained in the Airforce. It was great money & benefits & pensions back then!

@OregonCrow 10 ай бұрын

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

The Arm Forces are not the same Some areas that’s ok , but we’re it should have remained it went to the way side; that’s bad! We have people who want to push buttons only! and not really work, so a new set of people are going to take over. We the older generation are not needed our skills and knowledge are things of the passed. We have created a new generation.

@edrowinzky6264 10 ай бұрын

As inmigrant and working in a MRO facility I witnessed nepotism, illiteracy and I do not care attitude, I just want may pay check among my co-workers. This documentary is just the tip of the Iceberg...

@camberiu 10 ай бұрын

And yet there hasn't been a single deadly crash in the US for 15 years, that the longest interval in recorded history. To put things in perspective, when the last fatal crash happened, Obama had just been sworn into the White House. Uber and Instagram did not even exist yet, and the first Avatar movie was yet to be released. US air travel has never been safer than it is today.

@Nightsd01 10 ай бұрын

Could you mention which MRO it was for? They probably hired a ton of people so you could mention it without risk

@NickyD 7 ай бұрын

well planes havnt ad issues this show could be all BS and false info wouldnt be the first time

@eppademic 4 ай бұрын

@@NickyD this show is 100% legit, I've personally worked side by side with some of these technicians. ST Engineering is now paying 19.00 an hour. Supervisors constantly push for numbers and not so much quality. As a quality inspector there i would mark things that were out of spec only to have a supervisor tell me I'm being to picky about it, and to let it go telling me to stamp off on the work it fine. I've had several "notice of escapes" from customers that caught things we've let go or missed, so much to the point contracts have been close to getting voided and we've been blacklisted from bidding on new Boeing contracts for several years because of F.O.D.

@ragwindersingh1354 10 ай бұрын

Excellent work.

@edyann 10 ай бұрын

The last time I flew was in 1989. Never again. But the other day I watched a video about the Value Jet crash in Florida. I think that a plane with a cartoon image on its side and named 'Value....' I'd think twice about stepping in.

@aluisious 10 ай бұрын

Do you drive? I guarantee the maintenance on your car is worse, and driving is chaotic.

@edyann 10 ай бұрын

@@aluisious For someone who is DEATHLY afraid of heights- believe me: I'd rather die on solid ground. It's not that I'll die- it's THE WAY I'll die. And agree to disagree and bye.

@tmmartinesq.6216 10 ай бұрын

Airline Roulette.

@YG-zv3me 10 ай бұрын

The rule of thumb of “You get what you pay for” Will always persist!

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

dont agree. Have seen examples where people charge more bug give just same service.

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

btw android and iphone are good examples. Maybe iphne is better but it is not that better as is the price difference. Some said it is not convenient and went back to android. I also worked with mac for 9 months , do not want it at all. While mac computers are way more expensive.

@YG-zv3me 10 ай бұрын

@@Name-lt2tz if you don’t know how to check what are you getting and you get ripped off by a supplier that’s on you!

@YG-zv3me 10 ай бұрын

@@Name-lt2tz as for the iPhone and android, I completely disagree with that notion I have been using iPhone for seven years now after changing from android, and I can totally see where my money is going to, and I will never go back to android or any unsafe Chinese made phone. In addition, in my line of work I need to use a lot of GIS and use offshore trade and banking applications some of which are only available for iOS and none of which are safe enough in my cyber security experience with androids so again that argument is nonsensical for me.

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

@@YG-zv3me I do not see how banking application can be unsafe on android. In my banking application I am always asked for smart id, so I need to enter the pin code when loiging in, doing transactions, etc.. Ok unless they somehow track the password I am entering but can there really be such a security hole? Millions of users use this, it would be noticed and fixed already probably.

@jtstacey83 10 ай бұрын

I'm glad you posted this. I am from the region and applied to ST but never got a callback. I was in the Air Force and spent my entire time turning wrenches on aircraft. Namely hydraulic systems now after college I teach in public schools and always thought it strange that Uncle Sam was okay with me working on fighter jets but ST wouldn't give me the time of day.

@reubenmorris487 10 ай бұрын

Maybe you had TOO MUCH experience for ST. You probably knew more than the management and the people you would have been working for. Not being hired may have been a favor in disguise.

@cdewey5115 10 ай бұрын

They didn’t want employees who know the correct way of doing the job!

@ds0904 10 ай бұрын

You'd have cost too much (BTW I was in the AF too. Worked in the PA shop)

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

That’s why the company didn’t want you; you know to much!

@nassdj8493 10 ай бұрын

The reason is simple, you are overqualified and won't t accept the $hitty entry level pay of.... $14, but someone was flown from the Philipines will take it

@matthew-jy5jp 10 ай бұрын

Never miss an episode of frontline. Some of the best journalism on tv

@joephysics5469 10 ай бұрын

Journalism??? Be careful there son. I recently watched an old frontline report about Trump and the Russian collusion. They showed testimony by top Democrat officials and elected officials that has since been PROVEN to be complete lies including but not limited to the Steel dossier. No mention was given of the Republican side of the story that ended up being 100% true. Front line must never be trusted to be a source of truth. They are all about framing a story to suit their narrative no matter if it is true or not. I'm an independent liberal too.

@n.o.b.1907 8 ай бұрын

Not this one. I find it a bit superficial.

@John-zh1ud 10 ай бұрын

Doesn't matter what industry you work in the mentality of upper management tends to be the same: do it cheaper. And if you've worked anywhere long enough you know they do it by cutting corners and hiring less qualified people.

@John-zh1ud 10 ай бұрын

And interestingly the worst position of all is any form of lower and middle management because then it is your job to keep the machine/circus going.

@John-zh1ud 10 ай бұрын

Doesn't matter who you are and what your job title is, no discrimination here... they'll drive just about the whole business into the ground so one number on a financial statement rounds in a more favorable direction.

@paulgilliland2992 10 ай бұрын

$14/hr starting wage for an aviation mechanic is simply insane .

@aom808 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing. The public deserves to know more about this. This vid appears to be first published in 2011 but the current situation isn't better. (More shortage of mechanic in the US and more outsourced maintenance works have been done in the foreign countries) I wish one day the US gov will start caring and help bring back some maintenance jobs from overseas.

@alquinn8576 10 ай бұрын

and yet, just 1 fatality due to maintenance issues on US commercial aircraft in the last 12 years

@NickyD 7 ай бұрын

this show screams false info and people lying about where they actually ever wworked in @@alquinn8576

@RabidPrairieDog 10 ай бұрын

We offer three types of service: cheap, fast, and good. If you want cheap service fast, then it won't be good. If you want good service cheap, then it won't be fast. If you want fast service good, then it won't be cheap. You may pick two.

@Milagroscrs 10 ай бұрын

We all need to pay attention to what’s behind an airline, and be careful on those value flights, this surely opens my eyes 👀

@CC12398 10 ай бұрын

But what is scary is American airlines is doing this too

@OregonCrow 10 ай бұрын

Why did you comment twice? weirdo

@michaelbas5652 10 ай бұрын

United is not a value airline they're a legacy

@Cap10ndavis 10 ай бұрын

@@CC12398American is definitely not doing this! There hasn’t been an “American airlines flight” that has been in a catastrophic accident in decades due to “mechanical failure”. last accident that occurred besides 9/11 was pilot error decades ago that was catastrophic.

@CC12398 10 ай бұрын

@@Cap10ndavis he just mentioned American airlines now using an overseas company here in the US. Either way those original airlines are going to be much better. Although it does sound like they are all cutting corners. I don't want to jinx anything 😔

@frankhynd885 10 ай бұрын

I avoid flying as much as possible due to reports of Boeing aircraft not being designed and built properly and airlines subcontracting out maintenance to organizations which use illegal parts and employ uncertified mechanics who cannot read the maintenance manuals.

@Cap10ndavis 10 ай бұрын

You have a significant chance at getting in bad car accident than a plane accident. The flight training these days is amazing and the previous accidents have made flying even saver today! Stuff in this video have been fixed and no longer happen, the FAA have stepped up to insure this. You shouldn’t be nearly as worried, just remember most previous airline accidents were caused by pilot error rather than mechanical error.

@user-pd9ju5dk5s 10 ай бұрын

⁠@@Cap10ndavisHe’s not wrong. I was an engineer in aerospace industry for years. Companies do do a lot of subcontracting and not just for maintenance

@MSP_aviation 10 ай бұрын

@frankhynd885 I appreciate your environmentalism but the simple truth is that aviation is the safest form of transportation today. Yes, there were times where there was a scary amount of illegal parts and poor maintenance practices but these problems have been identified and largely solved, especially in America. To be fair, the reports of Boeing cutting corners in the design of the 737 Max were scary but they are now being held at a higher standard not only improving the safety of the 737 Max but also all Boeing planes. I respect your choice not to fly but a choice of not flying should almost never be about safety.

@frankhynd885 10 ай бұрын

@@MSP_aviation - Thanks for your email with this comforting information on US aircraft and maintenance safety.

@ashantedula5696 10 ай бұрын

Alot of the terms illegal parts that can't be tracked has alot to do if the part number and serial number is readable or not. The part is good but illegal. A part that has the part number placard scratched off is probably at least 50%. A part that is unservicable that goes on an airplane will immediately fault a system eventually. Unless it's a safety system that will be found on the next time controlled check. I will say planes out of heavy check tend to have gremlins for awhile until line maintenance gets them straight .

@zovirax2012 10 ай бұрын

Interesting documentary ❤

@BlackPantherStudios 10 ай бұрын

Great video 📷📸

@augustortiz 10 ай бұрын

This is exactly why I'm scared shitless of flying recently. Airline companies don't give a shit about passengers, all they care about is short-term profits.

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

so I do not fly :)

@MrTeff999 10 ай бұрын

A rather extreme view. Of course profits are required for any company to stay in business. But having airplanes fall out of the sky is both bad for business and bad for a job security.

@tmmartinesq.6216 10 ай бұрын

@MrTeff999 Ticking time bomb.

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

@@MrTeff999 profits wouold be there if people would understand that it is not safe to fly with cheaper companies. Now if safe company makes it expensive , people choose cheap company without understanding the safety difference. Plus other people do not care about safety anyway, when looking at car example - one cars are safer , others are not. Or motorcycles are much less safe, but people still use them

@idunnoanymore2870 10 ай бұрын

It’s all risk management!!!! Until it isn’t!

@khelbeyarnoldjr5440 10 ай бұрын

No wonder why the owners have private jets

@Gio-ue8ps 10 ай бұрын

Lol. Exactly

@BobbyGeneric145 10 ай бұрын

I can tell you absolutely in the united states you are fine using a mainline carrier. When heavy mx is outsourced, the aircraft is still inspected by the airline mechanics.

@Nightsd01 10 ай бұрын

Not doubting what you are saying, but is the inspection enough to guarantee safety?

@user-de5mi3gk3g 10 ай бұрын

Thanks

@chepis7893 10 ай бұрын

As a truck driver this happens very often a lot of techs “mechanics” nowadays don’t know nothing or they be taking it easy I fix everything in my trk myself.

@reddog-ex4dx 10 ай бұрын

1. I've been wondering for a long time why so many aircraft were having so many incidents where the planes had a mechanical issue in flight and had to land because of it. Well, now I have my answer. 2. When I got my A&P license in 1982 we were taught that the only ones who could touch an airplane were licensed A&P's. That was in the FAR's. (I don't remember which one.) What is this that I'm hearing about some unlicensed "mechanics" doing maintenance on airplanes? 3. I remember how you could tell when an airline was about to go under was when you started hearing about cut backs in maintenance. An example of this is Alaska Airlines and that DC-9 that crashed off the coast of California because the jack screw that controlled the elevator was lubed with the wrong grease. It was lubed with the wrong grease because of cut backs from upper management. 4. How many experienced "mechanics" can you hire for $14.00 an hour? One can't even live on that! 5. The FAA is not in the business of safety. It is in the business of making sure the airlines make money no matter how much blood is spilled. Just look at the MAX-8. They have a long history of this behavior.

@debbiehorn8263 10 ай бұрын

Since this report has come out I hope that Peggy Gilligan has left the FAA. Her smugness and prepared answers mean to me that she's crossed over to the dark side.

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

If you really want to know what is going on at this Industry, work at that air line ! Have real maintenance people who can work on airplane engines not just people who report on things . (Real maintenance workers)

@LMays-cu2hp 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing our Aviation Industry.

@johnl.7754 10 ай бұрын

Federal regulations is the only way for outsourcing (domestic or international) will stop since almost all passengers would not investigate how maintenance is done. Most Passengers only care about other things (cost, stops,…)

@murphyrichard6485 10 ай бұрын

Love watching frontline !! Almost booked a flight - now I’m I just going to drive

@brettito 10 ай бұрын

Flying is still statistically safer than driving. Just so you are aware.

@HIOAZA1523 10 ай бұрын

Another great doc😢

@youtubeaddict-1868 9 ай бұрын

While I appreciate Frontline for providing this valuable information, what they really need to report on is the runway incursions and mid air near misses that have been increasing at an alarming rate. We are on the brink of a major air disaster, probably in the near future.

@tolumnia 9 ай бұрын

Here's the report: Overworked ATC and understaffed ATC. FAA needs to have a paid training program to bring in more people.

@NickyD 7 ай бұрын

never had a issue in 23 years since 2001 thats been happeing since the 70s near misses nothing new

@markwilson2992 10 ай бұрын

As retired FAA, I can say Peggy is of a type. Everything's good. Nothing to see here. Until there is something to see. And then they're gone.

@snazzycookie 10 ай бұрын

I don't know much about planes, but I think failing to install a navigation box and fixing damaged landing gear are not good things

@user-et8sn3hy8r 10 ай бұрын

Never flying united again. Thxs for the reporting.

@jad1079 10 ай бұрын

Well that was disturbing. Hopefully things have changed for the better in the 10+ years since this video was made.

@freedom6919741 10 ай бұрын

Scary stuff right there.

@B1900pilot 10 ай бұрын

In my experience, almost without exception, the problems I’ve encountered in aircraft both military and civilian were a result of a maintenance error. Our aviation maintenance technicians are no different than pilots and cannot be 100% flawless.

@Milagroscrs 10 ай бұрын

Excellent!

@lancesay 10 ай бұрын

love this line, by linda goodrich, "becasue there hasn't been a consequence big enough to change our attitude on this." I love peggy, the FAA safety lady... apparently from the way she talks, it seemed she really don't care because she is there just to pick up her pay check or she is being lobby with kickbacks.

@dan_youtube 10 ай бұрын

Flying cheap? Did anyone check the ticket prices? They are more expensive than ever!

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

Peoples lives don’t count only the money counts!

@aluisious 10 ай бұрын

The people who run big businesses have brains that literally don't recognize anyone out of their immediate social group as real people. To them we're just conceptual. An airplane crashing is just a thing that happens sometimes, no need to get worried over it unless you might miss your bonus.

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

We are losing our way from human Existence

@NipponStiqqyPaint 10 ай бұрын

🤖🗯️

@tmmartinesq.6216 10 ай бұрын

@ellencutter5661 Losing? Bro, we already lost it. (Humanity.)

@alquinn8576 10 ай бұрын

3:40 "I don't think we've yet seen all of the manifestations of this change" -- however, in the 12 years since this documentary was put together, there has been just one fatality on one flight due to maintenance issues on US commercial passenger aircraft (not counting seaplanes): Southwest Flight 1380 in 2018, which had an engine-out due to a low-cycle fatigue crack in the dovetail of fan blade No. 13. At what point can we conclude the fears raised in this piece did not materialize?

@benjaminmcclatchey9814 10 ай бұрын

14.00 per hour. Are they asking the airlines if they want fries with that repair.

@Richard.Cabeza 10 ай бұрын

Why is PBS showing a documentary from 2011?

@ellencutter5661 10 ай бұрын

Why was ST only one Investigated I’m sure there are others

@SA-zv4wr 8 ай бұрын

That United exec gives the best answer to that chauvinistic PBS reporter. `We have to get pass this view that any work done in the US is de facto better'.

@jbllc6873 10 ай бұрын

Does frontline post anything from this decade, or just ancient reruns?

@mmm-mmm 10 ай бұрын

"more efficient" is corp speak for 'cheaper'. i'm surprised they still have pilots on planes...

@jcymngo 10 ай бұрын

They are working on it. Getting rid of pilots. Guaranteed

@gandalfgreyhame3425 10 ай бұрын

Original Air date: February 9, 2010

@jonbikaku6133 10 ай бұрын

I reallly hope some actions are taken on this soon. Cant we as third party individuals start a class action against this? Technically anyone who has ever flown or would want to should be able to sue right?

@jshumphress13 10 ай бұрын

You'd have to show some sort of actual injury or harm to sue (not just that is could theoretically happen in the future).

@bobbylincoln6949 10 ай бұрын

I worked in an MRO in Puerto Rico. It was bad a lot of good people who wanted to do a good job. But didn't have the experience or the protocols.

@rosemariehomeyerbente1832 10 ай бұрын

Holy hell!

@derricksearles610 10 ай бұрын

Truly scary

@angelitabecerra 10 ай бұрын

20m is a full documentary?

@mogleesh-22 10 ай бұрын

*Where is REPORT on Manipur, India* ❓🤔

@MrJoeagomez 10 ай бұрын

14 dollars an hour !! That’s the same wage as a teenager working at McDonalds GTFOH !!🤬

@madjack8893 10 ай бұрын

This was 12 years ago, it’s easily 20 an hour by now lol

@chandrashekarr9390 10 ай бұрын

Why would an airline risk it with such shady MROs. Their reputation will be ultimately at stake.

@andyc9902 9 ай бұрын

Ri8

@etx007blue2 10 ай бұрын

FAA has been purchased by the airline industry.

@judesmith4941 10 ай бұрын

SCOTUS has judged oversight is over reach. Regan started deregulation and SCOTUS is removing all remains. The people think we are 'protected' because for a time we were.

@Already100 10 ай бұрын

Not purchased just paid off very well😂😅🎉

@gerardmoran9560 10 ай бұрын

I was surprised to see a Delta jet there. Delta has the largest MRO facility in North America (ATL). Delta does its own work and work for numerous airlines and militaries. They have an engine shop and perform "D checks"- basically disassembling the aircraft and putting it back together (50,000 man-hours). The only time I saw outside mechanics work on a Delta jet was when a problem occurred at an "out station". Any outside work was reviewed by Delta maintenance once it got back to a Delta station. I believe Delta is the only airline that actually makes money on maintenance. They offer tours to the public at their MRO facility in ATL.

@leimeisei909 10 ай бұрын

This is from 12 years ago. Much has changed.

@gerardmoran9560 10 ай бұрын

@@leimeisei909 Let's hope for the better.

@JasonHartmanEmpoweredInvestor 10 ай бұрын

Scary ‼️‼️‼️😳

@jimbarrofficial 10 ай бұрын

Perfectly illustrates the lack of care and trust of the American worker. These corporations could train and hire these folks, contribute to the economy, and create great jobs in the process. Instead, you have the pattern of outsource, offshore, and automate continuing to put eager Americans out of any opportunity in the future. And someone's getting wealthy from all this, rest assured.

@Name-lt2tz 10 ай бұрын

because everybody wants cheap flights. And everybody does not know the difference from more expensive flgith to cheaper flight. This has to be somehow show to the public. When buying tickets for example they should see the safety statistics of airline , who are maintaiing aircraft, who are the pilots, how much experience do they have, how much incidents have they caused. Every info should be visible for the flight you are buying, Then you could compare with oehrs and if you see the other is safer, you could consider ppaying more. And if company gets more money , it can afford to hire more expensive employees

@bobbobertson7568 10 ай бұрын

Everything is true here, and I don't like the idea of flying with 25 year old pilots on regional jets, or outsourced maintenance may "sound" sketchy. But fact is the US hasn't had a major airline crash since this Buffalo one they talked about in 2009. Flying is as safe as ever. And as the one chap pointed out there's no proof US is the gold standard in maintenance. Many of the major disasters were the result of shoddy maintenance done here in the US (think the O'hare crash in the 70s).

@theuniverse2268 10 ай бұрын

As always the concern is not the people thinking the US is the gold standard. This is propaganda from the CEO. The issue is supervision and enforcement of safety standards. How can you ensure that a Turkish worker in Turkey is actually trained to fix a plane? The certificate might be even fake too... And then the excuses you heard is that some major airline would go bankrupt? Well hell just about time capitalism kicks in and makes space for new ideas.. And also WHAT THE FUCK. Major airplane crash is the measure? There are civilian airplanes crashing daily. Do we need to wait til a major one happens? Ignoring the warning signs? I doubt the soberity of these people

@Cap10ndavis 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! Someone who understands! Flying is safer than it ever was, people see this video thinking this is still happening. Most of these issues have been fixed and the FAA has stepped up to insure that. There’s a reason this video was made because it finally got addressed and it was no secret no more. If they weren’t we’d sure see more fatal accidents by now. You can’t keep doing what was happening in this video without accidents popping up. Flying is safe.

@Nightsd01 10 ай бұрын

@@Cap10ndavis Have there been any changes to ensure these "paper" overhauls stop happening? Or the undocumented parts? Even if these shady practices have not caused an accident so far, it doesn't mean they won't in the future

@ianendangan7462 10 ай бұрын

Is it because US workers Union? We have the Lufthansa Technic and i dont remember planes serviced by them crash.

@nicholaseaster58 10 ай бұрын

Flying in cheap labor to Alabama lol

@normac.1953 10 ай бұрын

😬 this is very concerning...

@sportsMike87 10 ай бұрын

Think this is an old video. If you look at the plane footage

@freedom6919741 10 ай бұрын

14 bucks an hour ? I would think the guy who works on my airplane would make more than a hamburger flipper and McDonald’s.

@johnl.7754 10 ай бұрын

Filmed in 2011

@Hedgeflexlfz 10 ай бұрын

Pilots made that low as well until just a few years ago

@jcymngo 10 ай бұрын

People at McDo make significantly less than that.

@antonioimbert2084 10 ай бұрын

Why the hell doesn't the FAA shutter ST since there has been repeated irresponsible conduct

@johnlivesay5110 10 ай бұрын

The more & more I hear of the air transportation industry the more and more does my reluctance grow over the safety of the airlines and that money is more important that human lives. And I am very reluctant to ever want to ever get on another airline again. OH HOW TRUE WERE THE WORDS OF WISDOM THAT WERE PRINTED IN THE SACRED TEXT, THAT STATED THAT, " "THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL."

@cepaasch 10 ай бұрын

Even when the maintenance is being accomplished offshore, it still has to be done in accordance with US FAA guidelines as well as the airline that is contracting the heavy check. If you are the mechanic that pencil whips something, you are the problem!!!

@TomCook1993 10 ай бұрын

I have to agree with the MRO guy. Work in the US isn’t defacto superior to foreign work. In fact I’d say American labor is subpar.

@okinawanah3463 10 ай бұрын

not when it comes to China or Mexico quality of standards

@n.o.b.1907 8 ай бұрын

@@okinawanah3463says you.

@Imissmusicvideos 10 ай бұрын

Always like when Miles OBrien is reporting. I watched this story when it first aired in 2011. A few things to consider when looking at this from a 2023 perspective now. U.S. passenger airlines have never been safer. The last fatal crash involving a U.S. airline was the Colgan Air flight in 2009. That's amazing even when considering passenger air service shutdown due to Covid in 2020. The last in-flight fatality on a domestic flight was in 2018 on Southwest when an engine came apart and punctured the fuselage, partially ejecting a passenger which resulted in her death. Maybe farming out maintenance is not that big of a deal. I think the FAA should be more concerned with the airlines laying off or giving early retirement for experienced senior flight crews during Covid. There are a lot of fresh faces working in aviation now. Plus there are more runway incursions happening lately. FAA need to look at the ATC network as well.

@8000RPM. 10 ай бұрын

The further we are from our last crash, the closer we are to the next one,...

@MrTeff999 10 ай бұрын

Right. And bad things always come in threes.

@mclaybry 9 ай бұрын

Isn't this like a drunk driver stating, after hitting another car and killing the occupants, "Well, look how many years it's been since my last accident!" No- just as it was stated in the interview, you can't throw around safety numbers and use that as an excuse to allow this type of action. I know this was broadcast in 2011, but 12 years later- is this still occurring? I'd like a follow up to this video on where each airline stands with maintenance.

@davidnguyen3363 10 ай бұрын

The government should do something about this. They can’t mess around in this business.

@ZAGIDI 10 ай бұрын

Lobbyists ruining everything in this world. Why lower standards for critical airplane ✈️ maintenance in terms of qualification requirements. What a shame.

@MG-do7yg 10 ай бұрын

Every time pbs post a documentary I shutter. I know it's important but it reminded me what a POS world we live in.😊 haven't flown on a plane since 2000. As long as investors $$$ takes president to safety in all industry then nothing will change.

@camberiu 10 ай бұрын

There hasn't been a deadly airline crash in the US in 15 years.

@MG-do7yg 10 ай бұрын

@@camberiu well with the fact investors $$$ is more important then safety then you go on the flight that went whoops cause I'm not going to.

@Hedgeflexlfz 10 ай бұрын

Airline travel is very safe

@-.-.-.-.-.. 10 ай бұрын

That woman Peggy Gilligan, and people like her, is what’s wrong with the FAA. Before I read her title I thought she was with an MRO. So cavalier and at the same time defensive in her responses. 🤢🤮

@martyduncan2636 9 ай бұрын

Interesting reporting, but the stock footage of airlines flying in the United States is unfortunate. How old is the video footage? United Airlines livery from the mid nineties and continued footage of US Airways that hasn’t flown in years 🤷‍♂️

@TheCommunicationCoach 10 ай бұрын

United....that figures. They gave away my seat years ago, with not even a "sorry."

@saxetexas 10 ай бұрын

12 year old news. Come on PBS. AND Southwest is not an "upstart" now (2023) OR (2011). Geesh! Maintainance is EXTREMELY important. But C'mon man.

@doreekaplan2589 10 ай бұрын

No surprise here with BOTTOM LINE being key for all big business..

@rogerperez5225 10 ай бұрын

I hope Spirit is ok

@verlindaallen3335 10 ай бұрын

I knew i didn't want to fly again.

@irisavila6643 9 ай бұрын

SCARY.... VERY SCARY!!!

@Penguin_FrostYT 10 ай бұрын

Filipino aircraft mechanic are the best !

@malachi_k0nstant668 10 ай бұрын

She was sitting on that stat about the safety margin lol

@jesdadotcom 10 ай бұрын

Air safety is as high as it has ever been.

@pcappabianca83 10 ай бұрын

Outsourcing your non-core business is a standard practice at major companies. It doesn't mean shoddy practices. This piece takes a handful of maintenance discrepancies and tries to paint a picture of failure. When in fact, failure should be measured by safety results - aircraft failures resulting in incidents. The licensing and global hiring line of investigation borders on shoddy journalism. Wow, digging in the trash looking for parts without supply-chain custody.

@saradjtowingllc2477 10 ай бұрын

Unfortunately it’s going to take something devastating to change this God forbid I hope fucking not but the way everything is these days that’s the reality