Southwest gave free training to FAA manager

[Larry Dighera]

So, if the airline an FAA inspector is assigned to oversee for
compliance to FAA regulations receives $15,000.00 worth of free
training from that airline contrary to FAA's rules of conduct, was
there a real conflict of interest?


http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-05-07-southwest_N.htm
Southwest gave free training to FAA manager

By Alan Levin, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The manager of the federal office that oversees
Southwest Airlines accepted thousands of dollars in free pilot
training from the carrier under an arrangement that violates rules
of conduct, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.

The training program had been approved by regional officials and
had been in place for years. The FAA has halted the program
because it violates its rules, according to spokeswoman Diane
Spitalieri. The FAA would not comment specifically on the
supervisor's training because the matter is "under investigation,"
Spitalieri said.

FAA manager Bobby Hedlund, who was promoted last year to head the
Southwest office, received months of training in 2005 that
qualified him to fly the Boeing 737, according to recent testimony
before Congress from three current and former FAA officials.
Southwest received a proposed $10.2 million fine in March for
safety violations.

FAA inspectors often receive training to stay abreast of changing
technology and airline operations, but the training is mostly done
at the FAA's expense. The free training highlights the continuing
cozy relationship between Southwest and some of the government
officials who oversee it, said Robert Naccache, who worked in the
Southwest office until he retired last year.

"This is the most flagrant conflict of interest that I have ever
witnessed in my 20-year career in the federal government,"
Naccache said during a hearing last month.

His testimony was buttressed by Michael Mills, the FAA's former
Southwest manager, and Bobby Boutris, one of two federal
whistle-blowers who first raised concerns about Southwest.

The training Hedlund received would cost a private citizen $15,000
or more, according to the officials and flight schools. It also
would enhance a résumé, opening doors for employment at airlines
or other private aviation firms. The FAA officials who testified
at the hearing called the arrangement a conflict of interest. ...

[Whatever]

The FAA is sucking Airline and Big Business cock
It has lost it's focus and it's rudder is broken
Fire all FAA Management and start over

Larry Dighera wrote:
> So, if the airline an FAA inspector is assigned to oversee for
> compliance to FAA regulations receives $15,000.00 worth of free
> training from that airline contrary to FAA's rules of conduct, was
> there a real conflict of interest?
>
>
> http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-05-07-southwest_N.htm
> Southwest gave free training to FAA manager
>
> By Alan Levin, USA TODAY
> WASHINGTON — The manager of the federal office that oversees
> Southwest Airlines accepted thousands of dollars in free pilot
> training from the carrier under an arrangement that violates rules
> of conduct, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.
>
> The training program had been approved by regional officials and
> had been in place for years. The FAA has halted the program
> because it violates its rules, according to spokeswoman Diane
> Spitalieri. The FAA would not comment specifically on the
> supervisor's training because the matter is "under investigation,"
> Spitalieri said.
>
> FAA manager Bobby Hedlund, who was promoted last year to head the
> Southwest office, received months of training in 2005 that
> qualified him to fly the Boeing 737, according to recent testimony
> before Congress from three current and former FAA officials.
> Southwest received a proposed $10.2 million fine in March for
> safety violations.
>
> FAA inspectors often receive training to stay abreast of changing
> technology and airline operations, but the training is mostly done
> at the FAA's expense. The free training highlights the continuing
> cozy relationship between Southwest and some of the government
> officials who oversee it, said Robert Naccache, who worked in the
> Southwest office until he retired last year.
>
> "This is the most flagrant conflict of interest that I have ever
> witnessed in my 20-year career in the federal government,"
> Naccache said during a hearing last month.
>
> His testimony was buttressed by Michael Mills, the FAA's former
> Southwest manager, and Bobby Boutris, one of two federal
> whistle-blowers who first raised concerns about Southwest.
>
> The training Hedlund received would cost a private citizen $15,000
> or more, according to the officials and flight schools. It also
> would enhance a résumé, opening doors for employment at airlines
> or other private aviation firms. The FAA officials who testified
> at the hearing called the arrangement a conflict of interest. ...
>

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
>
<...>
>
> FAA inspectors often receive training to stay abreast of changing
> technology and airline operations, but the training is mostly done
> at the FAA's expense.
<...>

So, like, this guy got free training from the airline instead of free
training from the FAA?

What am I missing here? He saved us a few tax dollars?

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

[F. Baum]

On May 9, 3:12*pm, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" <The Sea Hawk At Wow Way
D0t C0m> wrote:
>
> So, like, this guy got free training from the airline instead of free
> training from the FAA?
>
> What am I missing here? He saved us a few tax dollars?

A couple of things that you are missing. This person was not in a
position that required this training and it is inapropriate to recieve
gifts from a company you are charged with overseeing. Thats SWA for
ya.

[Aluckyguess]

"Whatever" > wrote in message
...
> The FAA is sucking Airline and Big Business cock
> It has lost it's focus and it's rudder is broken
> Fire all FAA Management and start over
>
They should turn it over t the DMV. Really we would see no difference.

[Andrew Sarangan]

On May 9, 5:30 pm, "F. Baum" > wrote:
> On May 9, 3:12 pm, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" <The Sea Hawk At Wow Way
>
> D0t C0m> wrote:
>
> > So, like, this guy got free training from the airline instead of free
> > training from the FAA?
>
> > What am I missing here? He saved us a few tax dollars?
>
> A couple of things that you are missing. This person was not in a
> position that required this training and it is inapropriate to recieve
> gifts from a company you are charged with overseeing. Thats SWA for
> ya.

Why is SWA being blamed for someone at FAA violating their ethical
rules?

[[email protected]]

Andrew Sarangan > wrote:
> On May 9, 5:30 pm, "F. Baum" > wrote:
> > On May 9, 3:12 pm, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" <The Sea Hawk At Wow Way
> >
> > D0t C0m> wrote:
> >
> > > So, like, this guy got free training from the airline instead of free
> > > training from the FAA?
> >
> > > What am I missing here? He saved us a few tax dollars?
> >
> > A couple of things that you are missing. This person was not in a
> > position that required this training and it is inapropriate to recieve
> > gifts from a company you are charged with overseeing. Thats SWA for
> > ya.

> Why is SWA being blamed for someone at FAA violating their ethical
> rules?

Because giving gifts of value to government employees who are responsible
for oversight of the giver is generally illegal in the US.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

[NW_Pilot]

> wrote in message
...
> Andrew Sarangan > wrote:
>> On May 9, 5:30 pm, "F. Baum" > wrote:
>> > On May 9, 3:12 pm, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" <The Sea Hawk At Wow Way
>> >
>> > D0t C0m> wrote:
>> >
>> > > So, like, this guy got free training from the airline instead of free
>> > > training from the FAA?
>> >
>> > > What am I missing here? He saved us a few tax dollars?
>> >
>> > A couple of things that you are missing. This person was not in a
>> > position that required this training and it is inapropriate to recieve
>> > gifts from a company you are charged with overseeing. Thats SWA for
>> > ya.
>
>> Why is SWA being blamed for someone at FAA violating their ethical
>> rules?
>
> Because giving gifts of value to government employees who are responsible
> for oversight of the giver is generally illegal in the US.
>
> --
> Jim Pennino
>
> Remove .spam.sux to reply.

One word!!!! Bribery

[Andrew Sarangan]

I hard time believing that a gifts of little value, especially
intangible ones like training, could be considered bribery unless
there was a motive to influence the officers decision. Some are
friendly gestures, and some are bribes. It can't all be the same. What
about the police officers who eat free at restaurants?

[F. Baum]

On May 10, 9:44*pm, Andrew Sarangan
> I hard time believing that a gifts of little value, especially
> intangible ones like training, *could be considered bribery unless
> there was a motive to influence the officers decision. Some are
> friendly gestures, and some are bribes. What
> about the police officers who eat free at restaurants?

Bad idea. Have you seen how many fat cops there are ? Seriously
though, we are at the tip of the iceburg with SWA and their lapses of
regulatory compliance. A 15K gift is not intangeble. I know an FTC
employee who has to check all of her finances and even credit cards to
make sure non of them conduct bussiness with the Banks she oversees.

[[email protected]]

Andrew Sarangan > wrote:
> I hard time believing that a gifts of little value, especially
> intangible ones like training, could be considered bribery unless
> there was a motive to influence the officers decision. Some are
> friendly gestures, and some are bribes. It can't all be the same. What
> about the police officers who eat free at restaurants?

Last I looked the limit was $10.

What would the training normally cost?

Local cops aren't federal, but most PDs have similiar rules.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.