Truth, Justice, and Human Life

Pilots Taking Back Control

The HIMS Program has grown in scope and reach well beyond its original intended purpose of creating a controlled and monitored pathway for pilots, with issues involving alcohol, to return to work before the mandated 24 months of required abstinence as prescribed by law. The Supreme Court has recently ruled on Chevron deference, which opens the door to the argument that the FAA’s application of the HIMS program has exceeded its statutory mandate.

What you are about to read is an abomination of the HIMS program. The story of a captain who has been derailed by the system that is supposed to support and assist. He is fighting back. If you are in the HIMS program, you can help. 

My name is Martin Barnard, I am an airline pilot, a living breathing human being with a loving family that depends on me, and I was in the HIMS program, under the care of a Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). 

I do not drink and have not for going on four years. 

I have flawless and uninterrupted FAA random testing, consistent with FAA standards, to document this. 

On a single occasion in September 2022, I thought with disbelief that I may have inadvertently and without knowledge consumed something with alcohol in it, instead of the non-alcohol (0.0) beverage as was intended. I disclosed this to my HIMS AME. 

I conducted a highly sensitive blood PEth test roughly three days after the event, which produced yet another negative result further corroborating my abstinence. Nevertheless, on October 14, 2022, this HIMS AME wrote to the FAA that I was at “increased risk for a full relapse,” which was soon followed by the revocation of my Special Issuance first class medical certificate, 

In support of his October 14 report to the FAA, the HIMS AME stated that his finding was based on three considerations: 

(1) that I had three “dilute” specimens in the prior year, 

(2) that the result of my October 3 2022 PEth test was “sub threshold,” and 

(3) the motivation to purchase beer-like beverages, “whether alcohol containing or not” is “suggestive of an imperfect recovery.” 

I have decided to file a lawsuit against this HIMS AME for what I consider to be his negligent actions, including, in part: 

The HIMS AME reported the three test results as “dilute,” notwithstanding the fact that the laboratory had reported the result of each specimen as “negative-dilute,” thereby confirming that the tests confirmed the absence of alcohol in my system.

To the extent that The HIMS AME had any concern that the three “dilute” specimens reflected donor tampering, he should have proceeded with direct observation collections that would have cleared me of any alleged misconduct.

The creatinine levels for the three “dilute” test results evidenced nothing beyond appropriate hydration practices and that I had abstained from the consumption of alcohol. The HIMS AME should have communicated to the FAA that the result of the hypersensitive October 3 PEth test result was a “negative.”

The HIMS AME should have communicated to the FAA that the October 3 PEth result provides strong evidence establishing that I had maintained my commitment to complete abstention from alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, the paragraph in which The HIMS AME references the PEth result reads as follows: Looking back at the airman’s random testing, he has had three dilute specimens this year.

The HIMS AME reference to the October 3 PEth test result as “sub threshold” appears to have been understood by the FAA as evidence that I was ingesting alcohol despite the fact the test was negative.

The third and final basis for the relapse diagnosis that the HIMS AME communicated to the FAA was that “whether or not alcohol consumption occurred, it is an early teaching in formal recovery that ‘look alike’ beverages, alcohol containing or not, were contraindicated for those in recovery program.”

The HIMS AME never advised me that I should abstain from non-alcoholic “look alike” beverages or that the consumption of such beverages could potentially lead to relapse. NOTE: Nor have I ever signed anything agreeing to such a standard.

DOWNLOAD FULL DETAILS OF THIS CASE HERE

I was immediately ordered, under penalty of termination, without the ability to make life arrangements into: Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences (MARR) a 98-day highly invasive, intensive inpatient mental hospital. Fellow pilots have characterized the program as akin to an imprisonment. I then would have been required to sign a “Contract B” which allows for termination without cause for any alcohol-related incident, or I would be immediately terminated. 

Given these unjustifiable demands, I have taken leave from my airline, pursuant to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment, Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) to continue my 30+ year military career with honor. I am fully Mission ready and deploy worldwide in a flying status; I am current and qualified in my Major Weapon System and will continue to serve my country until I retire with honor. My intention upon retiring from the US military, in accordance with USERRA law, will be to return to my airline as a full-time line pilot.

Despite USERRA law, my Airline has indicated that it intends to terminate me upon my return from Military Service. This has been conveyed to me numerous times verbally, and I have received written documentation to this intention dated 18 Sep 2023. Based upon The HIMS AME actions, I am filing a malpractice lawsuit against him.

My overall objective of this lawsuit is twofold: 

1) To bring due process to the HIMS program. There is currently no mechanism available for due process or checks and balances of any kind in today’s HIMS program should there be any disagreement of any kind between the different entities. This lack of due process allowing HIMS AME’s and unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats at the FAA to act with absolute impunity in all situations renders the pilot completely vulnerable and without recourse.

2) My second objective is to set precedent that HIMS AME’s can be held liable for negligent actions that inflict harm on the lives of the patients/pilots they have agreed to “sponsor.” 

I respectfully request assistance from all that are willing, in any way you can help achieve these objectives. Please download the affidavit  below and share with as many people as possible. Those that come after us will greatly appreciate what you have done here. Thank you for your time and consideration!

DOWNLOAD THE AFFIDAVIT HERE

Email to: marty.barnard@yahoo.com

I'm proud of Captain Barnard's effort to make a difference and assist everyone in this program. AMEs should not have immunity from their actions. And, every doctor should be held accountable. The fact that any doctor could possibly distort the truth of fact based evidence in such a negligent manner, and in my opinion intentional, should be of the greatest concern to all.  If you are unfamiliar with the HIMS program and want to learn more, please read the previous posts:

Warning to all Pilots

Alcohol and Pilots

Alcohol Use Disorder

THANK YOU 

For your Assistance! 

Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Working in a Safe Space

You're Invited To Attend! 

I will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Workplace Promise Institute conference on September 12, 2024 in Washington DC, and hope that you can join me. You might just witness something that I have never done in public before, and hear something that could change your life. 

Whistleblowers Unite

The purpose of the conference is to spread awareness of whistleblower mental health and related issues. The conference is for whistleblowers who want to learn more about their rights and protections and be part of a peer support network. 

Those who attend the conference will share with other whistleblowers and survivors about their lessons learned and strategies for coping and resilience. They will hear from attorneys, government officials and advocates about the current status of laws, programs and policies that affect them and have an opportunity to influence those practices. 

Whistleblowers of America (WoA) welcomes family members to participate and is in the process of developing opportunities for the children of whistleblowers to engage in a mentor program. The Workplace Promise Institute WPI will also include discussion on Whistleblower Protection advocate certification, and announce Giraffe Award winners. 

I hope to see you there!

Enjoy the Journey!

Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Boeing Pleads Guilty to Criminal Fraud and...

John Barnett is Gone

John Barnett's Life and Death had purpose

Praise Mr. Barnett for 

Giving His Life 

To Save Yours

Authorities found John Barnett in his car holding a gun in his lap, with a finger on the trigger. But that gun had a huge kickback and therefore would impossible to be in that position with his finger still on the trigger. Notwithstanding that there was no blood splatter inside the car, no photographs of the scene, and earlier that day he had just provided evidence to prove Boeing of criminal fraud.

Mr. Barnett had four hours of deposition remaining the following day. Having walked in his shoes, I will tell you that nobody walks off the field in the fourth quarter of the super bowl when you’re ahead, despite the stress and battering of the game. All this leads me to believe that this was more than a suicide.  While we cannot bring Mr. Barnett back to life, at the very least his death will not be in vain, because his death has ignited others to change the law. 

As you know I have been fighting for reform of the AIR21 law for years. I created a petition for that effort. Please sign HERE if you have not done so yet. Now, in the shadow of Mr. Barnett's death, action is finally being taken. I worked closely with, and fought for language, in the AIR21 reform act with attorneys and officials from DC. While they did not get this on the Aviation Reauthorization Act this last round, we must encourage this change sooner than later. You can help by writing to your Congressmen, Senator the FAA administration, the Aviation Transportation Board, or your local newspaper and send the copy attached here. 

Let's Improve Aviation Safety Together

Memorandum  From: Stakeholders favoring stronger protection for aviation safety advocates.  

To: Relevant Congressional offices and committees 

Re: Language to modernize AIR21 protections 

The recent death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett highlights the inadequacy of protections under the AIR21 statute. 49 U.S.C. §42121(a). The Boeing fiascos are déjà vu about a quality control breakdown that could and should have been corrected long ago. 

Mr. Barnett had been protesting for over a decade, initially through the Boeing corporation and then through current legal rights (the AIR21 procedural mechanisms) that proceeded at a molasses pace. When anti-retaliation rights in AIR21 were first enacted in 2000, they reflected best practices at the time. Over a decade later, however, they have become badly outdated and now are primitive compared to 16 corporate whistleblower laws that Congress subsequently enacted unanimously. 

While some additional amendments have been made to AIR21 in recent years, Barnett’s death and the ongoing significant safety failures with airplanes demonstrate that AIR21 must be strengthened to encourage workers in the industry to speak up before passengers are harmed. The suggestions below are for an AIR21 Safety Advocate Act, which we think the current law should be renamed. These recommendations are the menu of where AIR21 needs updating to keep pace with other corporate accountability laws, and include language to provide solutions.  

Read the Entire Memo Here

I'm not sure if a plea deal is justice,

But a law change would be!

Enjoy the Journey!

Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Happy Independence Day 2024!

 Celebrate!

Yesterday we prepared for the big day today as we watched the eagles soar. I'm hoping everyone has a blessed holiday, and we can all celebrate a little independence today. 

Life is Good! 

The fun is about to begin. 

Enjoy the Journey!
Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Living Donors

What Would You Do?

Twelve years ago I visited Kalani on October 8, 2012 for a yoga retreat. Morning yoga classes followed by sitting in my jungle cabin and working on my novel. My greatest gift during this retreat was to have met Beth Willstrop. Beth traveled the world, has a history of teaching English, drama and dance. And now she is an author. But mostly, she is an angel of life. 

Last month I received Beth's book in the mail, with an inscription "So often I 'heard' your nudging me. Thank you!" Beth is whom should be thanked for providing me this gift in her writing. And you will thank her too, after reading this story. 

Beth is a cancer survivor who wrote a masterful story that wove her history and visits to Thailand with her real life kidney donation. I knew that the blackmarket existed selling body parts, but I had no idea how widespread the practice was, or that the level of harm that befalls the poverty stricken who resort to this process to survive. What you will learn in this book is truth is scarier than fiction. 

Beth Willstrop and Bob Golden

This story, while fiction, is based on real life events, and a hero who donated her kidney to a friend. While my days are busy, they always ends the same way. I take the time to snuggle into my bathtub and read. I only read a few chapters a night of Beth's book because I did not want the journey to end. I found myself looking forward to the evening when I could snuggle back into the warm water and and continue the journey. I was sad to close the book and fought a tear at the end, too. 

A dating platform introduced these two, as in the novel. And while there was no love connection, the friendship lasted a lifetime and saved Bob's life. Living donors are a gift of life. Beth and Bob are both doing great today! 

I highly recommend this book for your summer read. The writing is excellent, the story phenomenal, and the talent of how Beth takes us to the past by connecting history to the present is exceptionally well done. You can find When the Waters Take Us on Amazon. After you read the book, leave Beth a comment. The world needs more people like Beth who gives more than she takes. 

Thank you Beth for not only writing a great book, 

but being such an exceptional human!

Enjoy the Journey!
Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Inspiration Gives Wings

And the Gift of Flight

In 2018 I met Aleeka Morgan and her husband Will at an ERAU graduation of which I was speaking. I was impressed by this couple, and they became my Friday Fabulous Flyers. I knew there would be nothing stopping Aleeka in a future of inspiration and success. Success is when you make a difference in the world.

Aleeka introduced me to La Pietra, an all-girls school in Hawaii, and was surprised by their TechZone program. The program equips students with cutting-edge tools like a flight simulator, e-sports gear, robotics kits, 3-D printers, and so much more. She told me Sabrina, a graduate of the school, is now headed to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (my alma mater), and she credits La Pietra for sparking her passion for aeronautics. Sabrina recently completed her first solo flight, thanks to her time in the flight simulator at her school.

Aleeka said, "I'm passionate about helping to fundraise for La Pietra through the fund I started, Nurturing Wāhine Fund, because I saw firsthand how genuine the leaders are at the school. I have had so many traumatic experiences in Hawai'i where I have been put in uncomfortable situations by women, and it is novel to see a place that allows women and girls to actually thrive."

As the spouse of an Air Force veteran, Aleeka understands the transformative power of flight skills firsthand. Since then, she has launched a gender equity fund, Nurturing Wāhine to support STEM initiatives like TechZone. Every dollar she raises goes directly benefit these young women.

Nurturing Wāhine Fund's mission: To empower women to overcome systematic adversity by offering resources and grants. We do this by supporting programs and community leaders in underrepresented fields." Aleeka is in search of much needed funds for TechZone that will be used for maintenance of La Pietra's current equipment, and to assist in purchasing new equipment such as and instructor station, CNC milling machine, and CAD/CAM software. This is a 503(c)(3) non-profit and all donations will be tax deductible. You can Venmo your support at @NurturingWahine 

or at Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V4AEBM6ZL9US4

If you have any questions or equipment donations, or want to learn more about Nurturing Wahine Fund or please email her at Aleeka@nurturingwahine.org

Aleeka Morgan is Making a Difference

One Life at a Time

Thanks for your help!

Enjoy the Journey
Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Retain Senior Pilots

Your Life Could Depend upon It 

When you awaken, be grateful. Then think of those who might not have that opportunity due to an unnecessary aircraft accident. Today, airplanes are breaking at an exponential rate. Even new airplanes are malfunctioning. Doors flying off, engines failing and electrical problems. This is when we need competent, experienced pilots on the flight deck. With this "pilot shortage" and airlines employing anyone who is willing to work for them, or being offered flight opportunities before the individual proves ability, we are headed for a major catastrophe. 

Age 67 Retirement is a Must

For Your Safety

When a junior Southwest Airlines first officer nearly kills everyone on board because he dives toward the ocean and misses impact by 400 feet, and didn't even realize he had a problem, we have a problem. What if the captain was also a new hire pilot? Yes, that could happen. Delta Airlines place a new hire as a captain in NY, in the exact same plane that this SWA event occurred. A year ago, Delta experienced hail damage and the pilot flying was a new first officer getting a line check. 

Delta Hail Damage

On June 9th, Austrian Airbus A320-214 that passed through sever hailstorm while operating flight OS434 from Palma de Mallorca (PME) to Vienna (VIE)

We must retain senior pilots or the next time my be the last time for the crew and passengers on board

Southwest did a Dutch Roll last month with major structural damage. Sun Country diverted due to Engine Failure. KLM 787 Returns to Tokyo with a cracked windshield. Emirates A330 Rejects takeoff due to an engine exploding during takeoff.

American A321 a post flight inspection identifies a Damaged Cowling. Altas closes the Hong Kong runway after experiencing their third incident this year. United Airlines oxygen masks deployed.

Those events are what we see in the news. What you may not see are those hidden events. In May Delta Airlines experienced three major incidents. On May 27, Delta's airbus A350 lost automation, on May 29th an Airbus A330 experienced a total hydraulic failure, and a Boeing 757 had unsafe gear. This month I received the following photos of Delta flights, from disgruntled pilots who don't know what to do. A Captain tells me: 

"Maintenance is a problem and we're going to have an accident" 

 

Despite everything in the news there is more happening that you never hear about. 

FAA is now investigating Southwest Airlines and four months ago they were investigating United. Honestly, the FAA does not have the resources or time to solve the overwhelming problems within the airline industry. 

A safety protection and the easiest solution is to retain experienced senior pilots and allow them to continue flying to age 67. Their experience could save your life. In the eyes of the government, social security starts at retirement age of 67. Most of these pilots are flying far more challenging aircraft and operations after they leave the airline job.

Unfortunately ALPA is not supportive of this age extension because union representatives are elected positions. This is a political objection, not a safety concern. The airlines' massive employment of young pilots due to the pilot shortage now has tipped the scales to more younger pilots than those of experience. If the union reps don't vote to keep 67 out, they will be voted out. I've already seen this happen. We need public help to address this critical issue before it's too late. Retention of of senior pilots could save your life. 

AGE 67 Is a Must 

For Passenger Safety! 

Enjoy the Journey
Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Passenger Safety In Harm's Way

FAA Approved, Non Controlled, Medical Malpractice

FAA third party contractors are running quite the profitable business and at pilot's expense, and to the degradation of passenger safety. Any pilot in the claws of one of these criminal doctors, you might have legal options. But the challenges are many as a result of the FAA's awareness and lack of response. 

Dr. John Mathew Fabian mugshot

DUI on drugs arrest in Oklahoma in 2016

Dr. John Matthew Fabian PSY.D., J.D., ABPP

Board Certified Forensic & Clinical Psychologist

Forensic & Clinical Neuropsychologist

And FAA Evaluator

Dr. Fabian has a national practice specializing in criminal and civil forensic psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. And he is also conducting FAA evaluations! But he doesn't work for the FAA and the FAA has no control over his actions. 

"Doctors can be bought" admits AME Dr. Chien and "This is a dirty business." 

Yes it is, and pilots lives are being destroyed for money. The FAA knows this is ongoing and yet the agency is doing nothing to stop it. Delta paid Dr. Altman $74,000 for providing a false mental health diagnosis. I tried to get the FAA to do something about Altman at the time, but I was told by the FAA that they had no power over Altman because he was not an FAA AME. Yet he was conducting FAA evaluations! What? How is that possible?  

Dr. David B. Altman

These third party contracted doctors are determining if your pilots fly or not, but they are not working for the FAA unless they are an AME. Altman wasn't. Yet, during trial Altman testified, "Dr. Charles Chisnow, who is the chief psychiatrist at the FAA, told me that I've done more evaluations of pilots than anyone else at this point in time." Yet the FAA does not have any control or regulatory compliance requirements for this doctor or others like him. How is that possible?

Passengers worldwide should fear!

It is extremely dangerous and contradicts aviation safety for doctors to be allowed to sell a false diagnosis. The FAA is aware this is ongoing. And yet nothing is done. I was told by a representative in the FAA that I had to take action with the Illinois medical board regarding Altman. That took me three years to have action taken. Yet, he walked a free man, simply forfeiting his license. Word is, he is still doing work with AMAS. A year after his removal I listened to a phone recording that indicated as much. 

I told a woman at the Illinois Medical Department, after years of calling and pushing for an investigation, of which finally lead to Dr. David B. Altman forfeiting his medical license, that her board would be found criminally negligent if an accident occurred because they had so many complaints against Altman.

I explained to this woman, "If a doctor is willing to take money for a false diagnosis, they would be willing to take money from the highest bidder. If the rich pilot, who legitimately has a problem and is planning to fly his plane into the ground like the Germanwings pilot, who has nothing to live for then he doesn't need his money. Pay it to Dr. Altman or one of the dirty doctors who are in this for financial gain. The dirty doctor would put him in the sky despite any problems noted. If you're a crook you will always go for the highest payoff." 

That was the statement that prodded the Illinois medical department to pursue Altman. 

How can you tell if a doctor is dirty? Follow your gut and avoid those who do not appear on the up and up. For example, I knew nothing of Dr. Brousseau, other than word from an American pilot that she worked closely with Altman, and there was ALPA trying to get me to see her as my doctor, after my Altman diagnosis. I did a little research and wondered how this woman was qualified for bipolar disorder evaluation or for a pilot evaluation. Dr. Kristin Brousseau was a podiatrist that worked in the VA hospital and decided to get into the game of evaluating pilots. 

Dr. Kristin Brousseau, DO

AMAS doctor, Jon Riccitello, worked hard to convince me to go to Brousseau as my neutral doctor, even asserting she would read the three hundred plus page report for "FREE." Who would do that? Instead, I went to the Mayo Clinic. Then we needed a tiebreaker, and Dr. Altman fought to make Brousseau the neutral examiner. These are the red flags you must pay attention to. I never used Brousseau, and this is not an assertion of her potential to be one of the doctors that could be bought, as stated by Dr. Chien. I am only sharing my concerns based upon her lack of experience, the great effort ALPA and Altman went through to have me see her, and all the reasons that I did not. 

Dr. Jon Riccitello (ALPA/AMAS)

Dr. Riccitello looks so sweet and innocent, quite nerdy too, but not only did he try to convince me to go to Brousseau, he told me there was no way I could beat Altman with a bipolar diagnosis and asserted the Altman was the "BIG GUN" with the FAA. He was wrong. The FAA assured me they did not have a big gun. They may not have a big gun, but these doctors are running around like it's the wild west without any FAA control, taking out pilots one shot at a time. Those AMEs they do have control over, they are looking the other way. I have to ask why?

It's Time to Remove These Doctors

I could not sue Altman for malpractice because he worked for Delta. He simply evaluated me. There was no client patient relationship. Courts have determined that examinations conducted at the behest of a third party, do not typically entail the establishment of a patient-physician relationship because the intent is to inform the third party, not to treat or diagnose the patient. (Lownsbury v Van Buren, 762 NE2d 354 (Ohio 2002). State v Herendeen et al, 279 Ga 323, 613 SE2d 647 (Ga 2005). This is how airlines are able to use these doctors, because the airline is the client. 

But that might not be the case. First, had I gone to Dr. Kristin Brousseau, she would have been my doctor, and if she had played the same game I could have filed malpractice against her. If you select a doctor that you feel is in cahoots, they probably are. You have legal options available. 

For those in the HIMS program, your company may be forcing you to see a specific HIMS AME, they may even be paying for that doctor, but if that doctor is prescribing anything, such as a 90-day lockdown as an in-patient, or telling you to see a psychiatrist, or anything that identifies a client patient relationship then you can file malpractice charges. If you pay the doctor, and the company reimburses you, I believe you could argue that this is your doctor. Just like a company uniform, you pay for it, you own it, but the company will reimburse you for it. 

The only way to get rid of these dirty doctors is to pick them off, one at a time, and hurt them where they place their value: Their wallet. 

Pilots careers are on the line, 

And Passenger safety is at stake!

WHERE IS THE FAA???

Read more on the post Medical Fraud and Abuse.  

If you know of a dirty doctor, please email me at Karlene.Petitt@gmail.com. Now is the time to expose them all! 

Enjoy the Journey
Dr. Karlene Petitt

PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Clear Air Turbulence Technology Exists!

 NWA Invented it! Delta Buried it?

Singapore Airlines hit severe turbulence at 7:45 today, and everyone is asking, "How could this happen?" "Why is there no technology to identify turbulence?" The answer is:

"It Does Exist!" 

In 1957, Dan Sowa, a Northwest Airlines meteorologist, invented such technology to avoid clear air turbulence. And it worked! 

TPAWS

Turbulence Prediction and Warning System

Because of this technology, Northwest dispatchers flight planned their aircraft around the turbulence, even at the added fuel expense. Never did I experience such an unexpected surprise as Singapore Airlines, at NWA. Then we merged with Delta and they, the proud owners of this technology, decided not to use it. Why? Because, it's far more expensive to flight plan an aircraft 200 miles around something (clear air turbulence) that can't be seen. Money over safety appears to be an industry standard. 

What we don't know, won't hurt us, right? 

Until it does!

Never had I experienced unexpected turbulence at NWA, but I did twice at Delta. I was on one flight when unexpected wind slammed us so hard the airspeed shot to redline. The captain, pilot flying, pulled the speed brake so fast, that he captured it. Another time, we were many thousands of feet above the cloud tops that looked like a valley below, the moon illuminating hundreds of miles in each direction. A quite and peaceful night. Nothing forecast, that we knew about. And without warning it felt like a sledgehammer slammed into our plane. As fast as I could, the seatbelt sign went on, and we shook for only a few moments, and then everything felt silent. Thankfully nobody was hurt. But we flew on edge, the remainder of the night, wondering what else was out there. 

TPWA was invented in 1957 and improved upon as the years passed, as all good technology is. But after the merger with Delta, overnight we were flying into turbulence that we had never experienced at NWA. The question was why. But those from NWA knew that answer.  

A Message To The Public: 

Don't let Anyone Fool You... 

There is technology to see and avoid turbulence. 

Whether or not they use it, is another story. 

And if they simply flew through a Thunderstorm, they had the technology to avoid that too!

Enjoy the Journey and remember to buckle up!

Dr. Karlene Petitt
PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727

Hope Filled Cafe

Making Life Better For Others

When pilots follow their faith to help others, this is what happens. Captain Andrea Ratfield is far more than the circumstances life has thrown at her. She is proof that the hardest of times can be your greatest strength. Difficult times and life challenges will either break you or provide the fuel to create change. Andrea has opted to view her life challenges as gifts from God that gave her strength. Her faith has guided her through the most difficult journey. 

Her kindness and compassion shine through in all she does. Andrea is a single mother of two sons, one of which is autistic. She has identified the need for children with challenges to have a safe place to grow, learn and become positive members of society. Therefore, Andrea formed the Non-Profit company Hope Filled Cafe. 

A café with a unique purpose. But she needs your help to make this a reality and get it off the ground.  

"We're on a mission to make hope happen by creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. Did you know that individuals with autism and cognitive disabilities face an 85% unemployment rate, with support services ending abruptly on their 22nd birthday?  This reality leaves them feeling hopeless and disconnected. But together, we can change that!  We're raising funds to build our first storefront, where we'll offer specialized employment training and opportunities. Your support and donations will turn our community dream into a thriving coffee, bakery & gelato shoppe.

Our café plans to be a welcoming hub near the Orono School District, (Minnesota) providing essential job skills training and fostering meaningful connections. Not only will Hope Filled Café be a local hangout for our youth to go after school and on weekends, but it will also be a place for parents to come during the school day, enjoy a nice cup of coffee or smoothie, and a pastry while working or connecting with others. We believe in inclusivity, shared learning, and exceptional service. " Captain Andrea Ratfield. 

Founder, Captain Andrea Ratfield

Please go to Hope Filled Cafe and DONATE HERE. Note, that when you select an amount, the platform adds a percentage. You can select "other" and add zero or a fixed amount. This platform (unlike Go Fund Me) is a non-profit organization. So, you can add whatever you want and ensure 100% of your donation goes to this incredible business that is about to take flight. 

The circumstance of life brought Andrea into this present life, and nothing is stopping her. Perhaps it's time she is gifted with assistance, as the hard times are left behind. 

From sleeping in a trunk as a child, she understands how children need a safe space. Emancipated as a minor, working to put herself through college, becoming a flight attendant and then a pilot, Captain Andrea Ratfield has navigated adversity and achieved success. Never a victim, she accepts what God gives her and creates change where necessary. Being raped at an aviation event was another trauma that found her down yet a different path. Once again, not a victim, despite being thrown into the HIMS program of which she did not belong. Unwilling to look the other way to the injustice of others being harmed by that program and non FDA approved blood tests that produce false positive results, she is fighting back to help those in need. She's working to create positive change. 

Andrea is a single mother of two, an airline pilot, a volunteer for special needs kids, provides tours to assist parents who travel with children with challenges. If she's not captaining her plane, she is parenting her boys, one of which is autistic. She does mission work in Haiti and is continuing her education for a purpose; to help those in need. She is a woman of faith and her unlimited power shines through. 

Andrea recently earned a Masters in Transformational Leadership Development (MATL) from Bethel Seminary, and is now working on her PhD in Organization, Management & Leadership with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. She chose Bethel University because it is biblically rooted, like her Seminary degree. She is continuing her education to learn skills beyond flying an airplane, to ensure the success of Hope Filled Cafe to help our children. 

"My PhD will be biblically based, too, and I chose the Entrepreneurship Concentration because of my efforts with Hope Filled Café. I figured as a parent of a child with significant disabilities, and how terrifying it is for me with my strengths, I can only imagine how much more terrifying it is for parents who don't have a college degree or business background or nonprofit background and are sitting around hopeless with their kiddos at home with no face to face connection or meaningful employment.

So my dissertation will be along the lines of: How do we create more employment opportunities for adults with autism and cognitive disabilities to address the alarmingly 85 to 90% unemployment rate within that demographic?" Captain Andrea Ratfield 

Andrea and the team are amazing. You can meet them here. To make Hope Filled Cafe a reality they need donations. If you can help, please do so. As I watch the new generation of pilots who feel entitled, who don't make an effort, or think they can use their religion to show up to work but not do the job, it's nice to know people like Andrea are representing our profession. 

I am so proud to have met and traveled this journey with Andrea, and to have the opportunity to watch her continued success. To see that her convictions never waiver. She is accepting of all, and gives more than takes. We all have people in our lives that there is nothing we wouldn't do for them. Andrea is one of those people. 

Let's All Give Andrea a Helping Hand

Hope Filled Cafe 

Will become reality, and YOU

Can be part of Positive Change!

Please go to Hope Filled Cafe and DONATE HERE. Note, that when you select an amount, the platform adds a percentage. You can select "other" and add zero or a fixed amount. This platform (unlike Go Fund Me) is a non-profit organization. So, you can add whatever you want and ensure 100% of your donation goes to this incredible business that is about to take flight. 

Thank you!

Enjoy the Journey
Dr. Karlene Petitt
PhD. MBA. MHS.
A350, B777, A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727