Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

[SPTO]

This is ridiculous

Pertinent excerpts:

WASHINGTON - Two Northwest Airlines pilots reportedly told federal investigators that they were going over scheduling using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles.

The board said the pilots told investigators the first officer was instructing the captain on monthly flight crew scheduling. The pilots were out of communication with air traffic controllers and their airline for over an hour and didn't realize their mistake until contacted by a flight attendant.

Air traffic controllers tried for more than an hour Wednesday night to contact the Minneapolis-bound flight, which later turned around and landed safely.

I know nothing bad happened but still, that's pretty dumb to be tinkering around looking up crew schedules when uh, you got a freaking plane to fly!

[Chaos81]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

"Two Northwest Airlines pilots told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday."


EDIT: I should add I find it hard to believe they were on their laptops. I guess it's entirely possible, but I can't see how they wouldn't have heard any of the communications intended for them, or wondered why they hadn't heard anything. In my opinion they were asleep, hopefully we'll find out for sure one way or another.

[Knight165]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

"Two Northwest Airlines pilots told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday."


EDIT: I should add I find it hard to believe they were on their laptops. I guess it's entirely possible, but I can't see how they wouldn't have heard any of the communications intended for them, or wondered why they hadn't heard anything. In my opinion they were asleep, hopefully we'll find out for sure one way or another.

Internet pron

I love flyin'

M.K.
Knight165

[Cusefan]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

The thread title is misleading. The Article states that Pilots are not allowed to look at their laptops. Fire em and move on.

[no juice]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

it's not much different than texting and driving so...

[p_rushing]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

well they should have the logs from the plane's router to prove it, unless they weren't on the internet

[Burns11]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

[kehlis]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

I wouldn't have an issue with it had they not overshot their destination by what 130 miles? Not to mention that this distraction caused a terrorist warning and had f-16's deployed for fear of where this plane was going.

Using laptops while at cruising altitude-sure.

Letting that distract you from your job-Not okay.

[Bahnzo]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

Good point....comparing this to texting and driving is misleading. Once a plane is up in the air, it's on autopilot and they really have little to do besides monitor and make corrections if needed (ie: storms in path).

[Whitesox]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

I heard they were asleep. My theory is that they got into a verbal argument about some changes the company is going though, and then it went dead silent. This allowed them to fall asleep easily, which they did.

[superjames1992]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

It should be noted that these pilots had absolutely nothing to do during the flight, other than sit back and watch. That doesn't excuse not actually watching, but let's not make this into a bigger thing than it is.

There's not "nothing to do". The pilots still must set the routes for the autopilots, follow in the in-air routes and make corrections to maintain proper distance from other airplanes, make announcements, monitor the radio, fill out paperwork, and most importantly, make sure nothing goes wrong. It's not as intensive as driving, obviously, but there's a reason why pilots are not supposed to be on a laptop while flying. Autopilot is not much different than getting on the interstate, setting the cruise control, and cruising along in your car.

If they were actually on their laptops, they need to be fired. However, I seem to think that it's more likely that they were asleep. In that case, they also need to be fired.

[SPTO]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

Sorry for the misleading title there. I somehow missed the "violation" part. Either way if they were on a laptop then that's just plain stupid.

[hdaniel1]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

FYI, a simliar thing happened over the skies in Hawaii. A routine flight from Honolulu to Hilo. The pilots overshot Hilo airport by 30 miles. Both pilots were asleep and both got fired from the company!

Read the link.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/03/national/main5210461.shtml

[raidersbball20]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

missing a landing is unacceptable, they need a big punishment. I think firing would be kinda harsh though

[superjames1992]

Re: Why in the world are pilots allowed to tinker with laptops while flying?

missing a landing is unacceptable, they need a big punishment. I think firing would be kinda harsh though

Mistakes like this could kill people, though, and there should be harsh consequences.

The Captain and the First Officer have changed their stories so much that I don't know what to believe. First, they said they were having a heated discussion over the Delta/Northwest merger. I've also heard of laptop usage and chatting with Flight Attendants. The pilots were silent on the radio for one hour and 18 minutes.

Something weird is going on. The two pilots have been suspended and will probably be fired once the investigation is complete.