Southwest gave free training to FAA manager

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/fligh...outhwest_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. ...

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/fligh...outhwest_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. ...

"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.

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.

"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.

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?

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.

wrote in message
news
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

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?

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.