A Life Lived Well!
Contract Airline Services
"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."
PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.
Monday, March 13, 2023
Aviation Inspiration: Laura Savino
Monday, March 6, 2023
Delta Pilot Suicides
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Sanity and Stress
Just Another Pilot Journey!
Mayo Clinic Rochester
In February of 2016, I spent three days at the Mayo Clinic, fighting for my sanity. Not to be confused with the novel, Flight For Sanity, but my life mirrored the theme in that novel. However, the Rochester Mayo Clinic journey was actually indicative of my fight for truth. The resulting novel: Flight For Truth.
I waited in the lobby of the Mayo Clinic knowing that this visit could dictate the course of my life. I will never forget Dr. Steinkraus and his kindness as he walked into the lobby to get me, himself. He called my name. I stood and walked toward him as I introduced myself.
He said, "It's very nice to meet you. You are quite an accomplished young lady."
With an inquisitive look I said, "Thank you. But didn't you read Dr. Altman's 354 page report?"
He replied, "Yes, we all did. But we know a corporate political action when we see one. However, we are not here to get into a legal battle with your company, we're here to assess your mental health." And that is exactly what they did.
For those who don't know the story, Delta paid a doctor $74,000 to give me a false mental health diagnosis for giving them a safety report. I scheduled an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in their Aviation Department, despite Dr. Riccitello from AMAS (ALPA's aeromedical department) advising me not to go to the Mayo because, "The FAA doesn't respect the Mayo Clinic like the do private practice doctors." Yes... ALPA was participatory in many ways. I never lost my medical, but I did not fly for two years.
I never lost my first class medical during the process. At the end of the day (7 years later) Delta paid me what the judge ordered after they lost their appeal. I had believed that the seven year battle would be worth the effort for the change we would create to improve safety. Unfortunately, there was no change.
All participants in this action are still employed, and many have been promoted. The reason no change was made, and the subsequent promotions is because the Whistleblower Law (titled AIR21) is broken. Delta has proven the ineffectiveness of this law to support employees coming forward, if the company determines to wage a war of attrition.
After 7 years of hell, despite winning on every account, my health has suffered from the long-term ongoing stress. The month of March began with my visit to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and will finish with my presence here as well. Hopefully the end of the month will be warmer than now.
Delta management, don't get too excited. I beat you... I can beat this. But, what I want to ensure is that nobody will ever face what I faced. We need to protect employees who are making an effort to improve safety. We need to change the law. Please, sign the petition and help to improve safety.
YOUR SIGNATURE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
THANK YOU!
Enjoy the Journey!XO Karlene
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Aircraft Fire Unreported
SMS Violation...
A Major Safety Lapse
- The flight attendant was brilliant for not opening that bin, of which could have been catastrophic had she done so. This should have been a learning point and added to training for all flight attendants, not kept silent. I don't think many would have had that kind of insight, especially when fatigued.
- The gloves were not heat resistant, and this should have been improved for the next fire.
- The company should change locations to centrally locate the gloves in the cabin by the containment bag. To this day, I believe they are still in the flight deck away from the containment bag.
- This crew continued on to destination without the legally required number of fire extinguishers, because they had used them on the fire. What if they were needed later?
Monday, February 27, 2023
Aviation Success!
Friday, February 24, 2023
Western Washington Aviation Conference
February 24 and 25th in Puyallup Washington!
I'm flying home from Women in Aviation on Alaska Airlines this morning. But this afternoon I will be setting up my booth at the biggest and best Aviation Conference in the Pacific Northwest! Saturday and Sunday you can find me at booth 124, but I'll also be speaking to Normalization of Deviance each day. Not only that, but I'll be signing books, and giving away a unique and priceless prize this year.
At booth 124 you can enter to win a 20 X 30 1-1/2 wrapped Canvas of a Photo of the Last NWA flight into Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport. I was sitting in the flight deck during this last flight, deadheading down to fly the last NWA freighter out the next night. This photo is a part of history... and it can be yours!
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Aviatrix Authors Connect
Reading and Reception
A couple weeks ago I had an amazing time speaking with Liz Booker, as she conducted an Aviatrix Author Interview. She reminded me that Flight For Control was published a century ago! We had a great chat, and one thing led to another. Now I'm headed to women in Aviation in Long Beach this week. I am honored and humbled to be among these brilliant authors!! I'll be signing books in the afternoon, but the evening event is a must!
Monday, February 20, 2023
Crew Resource Management Training Opportunity
Sunday, February 19, 2023
AIR21 Statute Change
When It's Broke... Fix It!
For those who do not know the story behind the AIR21 law change, please read the article and view the video below:
"Judge says FAA Chief Helped Delta Air Lines Retaliate Against Pilot Who Raised Pilot who raised safety Concerns."
By Maximus Aviation
This law change is not to go after Delta. They are simply the poster child for what is wrong with the law. The AIR21 statute must be changed because many airlines have and will continue to retaliate against employees despite the current statute. Delta has simply identified that the law is ineffective by their behavior and ability to destroy a pilot and her career.
Delta has proven that an airline can continue to operate in the same unsafe manner that was brought to their attention, despite the AIR21 statute. Delta management has shown that it is possible for an airline to pay a doctor for a false diagnosis and hide it from the stockholders by making him a vendor. Delta has proven that airlines can violate a court order by withholding discovery and then perjure themselves in court without consequence. They also showed their ability to spend millions of stockholder dollars to enact a war of attrition on a pilot who was promoting safety.
Retaliation is a violation of Safety Management Systems (SMS). SMS is a Federal Regulations that mandates a reporting culture to ensure employees can identify and report risk without retaliation. Delta has proven that an airline can violate regulatory standards without consequence. For all these reasons, the law must change. Below is the requested change. Please, send it to your local newspapers, senators, congressmen, representatives, or anyone you can think of. Together, we can improve safety.
Naming Convention Proposal
References to the AIR21 statute should be changed from the “Whistleblower Law” to the Safety Advocate Law.
Statute of Limitations Proposal
Extend the statute of limitations to file an AIR21 complaint to 300 days.
OSHA Process ProposalOSHA should be required to determine within a maximum of two months only the following three facts: 1) Did the employee report safety concerns to management, 2) did the employee suffer an adverse action, and 3) was there temporal proximity from the report to the adverse action. If those points are satisfied, then OSHA rules on behalf of the employee. The airline can then appeal to address those facts and causation.
Protected Activity ProposalAnything an employee reports in good faith to improve safety of airline operations will be deemed “protected activity” under the AIR21 statute in alignment with SMS.
Naming All Involved ProposalEnable complainants to name specific individuals in the AIR 21 complaint in addition to the organization.
Damages ProposalIf found in violation of the AIR21 statute, the Administrative Law Judge has the authority to fine the airline any amount the ALJ deems appropriate for the situation and apply punitive and compensatory damages.
Legal Fees ProposalThe employee will receive all attorney fees and all associated legal expenses.
I'm asking you to share the link with ten or more people and ask them to do the same. I'm asking all my International friends who are passionate about safety and concerned with the trajectory of our industry to sign. I intend on making this a world law. One step at a time.
THANK YOU!
Enjoy the Journey!XO Karlene