I am sad to admit that my frustration with the direction of this entire investigation is starting to boil over.
From the beginning, every suggestion has been that it's the airplane's fault. No one seems to want to even consider other possibilities.
Intelligent public statements like those of Captain Sullenberger are ignored.
The assumption that a 200 hour greenhorn could in the slightest way be an asset in the cockpit of a jet.
And now the law in the form of the FBI, has decided to insert itself.
For years banana republics have had a criminal side to the investigation of air accidents. The western world conversely has recognized that open exchange of facts and information in air travel has resulted in the safest form of transport. In Safety Managed Systems (SMS in the industry), every person involved from baggage handlers to the CEO are equally and collectively responsible to assure every flight is operated as safely as possible. All involved can be completely open without fear of legal repercussions except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct (eg. drinking on the job, barrel rolls).
Should the travelling public around the world begin to believe that declining pilot experience levels are affecting their safety, enplanements worldwide will decline. For the economics involved, I have sadly concluded that the "powers that be" have already determined the outcome, in spite of what might be the truth.
