co-pilot Melt Down half way over atlantic

[airboatr]

:o
Air Canada co-pilot's 'belligerent, uncooperative' behavior forces landing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27808624/

makes ya wonder sometimes.

[VEGAS]

Thats tragic. I feel sorry for the man. Surely will put an end to his flying career. :-(

[Garry Russell]

It will have for sure as even if he has fully recovered it's just a risk that can't be taken

Garry

[airboatr]

I see both sides .. but ,. sometimes a man needs to know when to grap a fishing pole.

I sure hope he finds his happy place again... no slight, everybody needs that.

[Tarasdad]

There could be many physical reasons for such behavior as well. Some conditions can cause a buildup of pressure in the brain as an aircraft gains altitude, resulting in just the sort of behavior mentioned in this article. Then again, the poor fellow could simply have been literally at wit's end.

[forthbridge]

Not sure if it's a cultural thing, but I dislike the use of 'mental' hospital in that report - in the UK at least that word oozes nastiness which is I suppose why it's not used so much these days publically anyway. But for a chap with such experience, presumably at least satisfacotry to build up those hours, the poor guy was obviously not well. Glad it turned ot OK and I hope he makes a good recovery.

[markw]

I also hope that the stewardess who helped out the Captain gets the break she deserves from Air Canada and that they train her up to be a full co-pilot. She earned the opportunity after stepping into the role in such a situation.

[Nigel H-J]

It was just fortunate that two doctors were on-board and would undoubtedly been able to give a prognosis of the state of the co-pilot at the time. Equally, the stewardess as Markw said, should be recognised for her abililty to step into the co-pilots' shoes and assist the captain.


Totally agree with Jims' comments regarding 'mental hospitals. Should be changed to something like 'Psychological Specialised Centres' even if only to remove the 'stigma' associated by the word 'Mental'.

Regards
Nigel.