27 thoughts on “Planes For Hawaii Flights: Dubious Overseas Maintenance”
Rod W
I’d be more concerned if you were able to report, with certainty, that there was some link between fatal crashes and overseas heavy maintenance.
Also, is there any evidence that American and international airliners are walking away from training and follow-up inspections? Any evidence that overseas heavy maintenance facilities have a significantly worse outcome than domestic facilities?
We can sell aircraft around the world without some maintenance being performed in the countries that buy our aircraft.
On the other hand, the FAA should bar such maintenance in countries that have quality problems.
I wonder how many of us who fly would be willing to pay an additional 10-20% higher airfare so that our airlines’ only use the more expensive (and ostensibly safer) FAA-certified maintenance services? I would. Would you?
The airline that tried that (added 10-20% to fares) would be bankrupt. The flying public has shown we will accept every manner of discomfort, in the air, to save a few bucks.
Why? If they have been outsourcing the heavy (and other) maintenance and functions for years – nothing has changed as to the service they have been providing. Only our knowledge of it has.
So, for me, no fatal crashes = acceptable maintenance. For others, be my guest – pay 10-20% more to give up the safe service you have been receiving and replace it with a now overburdened domestic maintenance crew. Heck, the airlines will probably try to move the overseas crew to the USA as they are familiar with their aircraft. So, same folks, 20% more.
So all tech manuals are in English and few of the overseas workers speak English! What could possibly go wrong!? Sure makes me want to reconsider my transocean flights on Hawaiian. I never fly on Southworst so that is not an issue for me so I am also relieved that American still has their own facilities in the USA.
So Don I take it by your somewhat “misinformed” comment that you only drive American cars too. Tech manuals, just like instruction manuals you might get when you buy a TV etc are in multiple languages. Let’s not be so naive as to think American workers are the only proficient ones.
Thanks for this valuable information! I think I will be favoring American in the near future. Investor return should be secondary to safety. How is QC being monitored??
You raise some very troubling issues but thanks vey much!
We used to go to Maui every year pre pandemic, The resort we stayed at a 3 bedroom, If I could catch the date right was around $800 a night, Same place is now over $2000, I have over a million Marriott points, The resorts that are condo type, don’t even show any room open for over a year, and if they do what used to be 800k points for a 2 bedroom is not like 2 million. Even if flights where free, I’m not willing to shell out 15k for 1 week .. I hope it comes back to reality at some point.
Hi Rob+Jeff. Well this is certainly an eye opening article. Something we all take for granted in thinking that inspections are done in the U.S. One more pound of stress and worry on those who are getting ready to fly (my husband and myself this Tuesday). I am inclined to think of using American after I read this. I am only sorry I read this today. Mahalo and enjoy your weekend.
I’d be more concerned if you were able to report, with certainty, that there was some link between fatal crashes and overseas heavy maintenance.
Also, is there any evidence that American and international airliners are walking away from training and follow-up inspections? Any evidence that overseas heavy maintenance facilities have a significantly worse outcome than domestic facilities?
We can sell aircraft around the world without some maintenance being performed in the countries that buy our aircraft.
On the other hand, the FAA should bar such maintenance in countries that have quality problems.
Maybe the Hawaiian Seaglider is the future of safe Hawaiian travel?
Sea glider flies too low and too slow. Hardly has the range to travel far from Oahu to Maui, much less to Kona or Hilo.
sounds like one of these typical situations where there has to be a major catastrophe before safety wins out over economics
Aloha BOH,
Mahalo for this information. I will be flying American from now on.
I wonder how many of us who fly would be willing to pay an additional 10-20% higher airfare so that our airlines’ only use the more expensive (and ostensibly safer) FAA-certified maintenance services? I would. Would you?
We should not have to.
The airline that tried that (added 10-20% to fares) would be bankrupt. The flying public has shown we will accept every manner of discomfort, in the air, to save a few bucks.
Yes I would!!!
Maybe better to consider 10 – 20% being taken from corporate exec pay and benefits.
Micahel,
Why? If they have been outsourcing the heavy (and other) maintenance and functions for years – nothing has changed as to the service they have been providing. Only our knowledge of it has.
So, for me, no fatal crashes = acceptable maintenance. For others, be my guest – pay 10-20% more to give up the safe service you have been receiving and replace it with a now overburdened domestic maintenance crew. Heck, the airlines will probably try to move the overseas crew to the USA as they are familiar with their aircraft. So, same folks, 20% more.
That English issue all by itself is the most concerning. (Reading)
So all tech manuals are in English and few of the overseas workers speak English! What could possibly go wrong!? Sure makes me want to reconsider my transocean flights on Hawaiian. I never fly on Southworst so that is not an issue for me so I am also relieved that American still has their own facilities in the USA.
So Don I take it by your somewhat “misinformed” comment that you only drive American cars too. Tech manuals, just like instruction manuals you might get when you buy a TV etc are in multiple languages. Let’s not be so naive as to think American workers are the only proficient ones.
Then there’s really no excuse for mistakes if you say these manuals are in other languages besides English
Thanks for this valuable information! I think I will be favoring American in the near future. Investor return should be secondary to safety. How is QC being monitored??
You raise some very troubling issues but thanks vey much!
It all amounts to “How much are you willing to pay for a ticket?”
We used to go to Maui every year pre pandemic, The resort we stayed at a 3 bedroom, If I could catch the date right was around $800 a night, Same place is now over $2000, I have over a million Marriott points, The resorts that are condo type, don’t even show any room open for over a year, and if they do what used to be 800k points for a 2 bedroom is not like 2 million. Even if flights where free, I’m not willing to shell out 15k for 1 week .. I hope it comes back to reality at some point.
Hi Rob+Jeff. Well this is certainly an eye opening article. Something we all take for granted in thinking that inspections are done in the U.S. One more pound of stress and worry on those who are getting ready to fly (my husband and myself this Tuesday). I am inclined to think of using American after I read this. I am only sorry I read this today. Mahalo and enjoy your weekend.
Surprised the FAA would allow this.More and more jobs leave the states.