Philippine Airlines investigates pilot of controversial Bangkok-Manila flight

[webfact]

PAL investigates pilot of controversial Bangkok-Manila flight
By RIE TAKUMI, GMA News

MANILA: -- The Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Tuesday that it was investigating one of its pilots who told passengers his life was more important than theirs.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told GMA News Online in an e-mail that the internal investigation into Bangkok-to-Manila flight PR 731 would address the pilot's manner of communicating, the temperature in the cabin at the time of the incident, and the denied requests of passengers to deplane while ground crew assessed the plane.

"It is unfortunate that there was a deviation from the norm as far as communication is concerned. We apologize for the way it affected the sensibilities of passengers," Villaluna said.

Last February 21, flight PR 731 was supposed to take off from Bangkok at 1:50 p.m. But as the plane was taxing, it was forced to return to the ramp for an unspecified technical issue.

Full story: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/556505/money/companies/pal-investigates-pilot-of-controversial-bangkok-manila-flight

-- GMA NEWS ONLINE 2016-02-24

[IgboChief]

An airline to avoid at any cost: They squeeze in another lane of seats (3-3-3 instead of 2-3-2) and additional rows too. At 196cm and with two passengers asided I asked for the exit seat. They only sell it for additional 50 bugs.

For an international airline, this is simply bizzare. Also they are not in any union, like One or Star.

The real problem that there aren't many alternatives from BKK to Manila.

[Thian]

I still remember when they fired ALL their pilots at the same time, 20 years ago.....Nobody could fly anymore and they didn't give a toss.

I had to stay a week in a hotel because of that which they never paid for me.

Never ever will i fly with Phillipine Airlines again.

[bubba]

An airline to avoid at any cost: They squeeze in another lane of seats (3-3-3 instead of 2-3-2) and additional rows too. At 196cm and with two passengers asided I asked for the exit seat. They only sell it for additional 50 bugs.

For an international airline, this is simply bizzare. Also they are not in any union, like One or Star.

The real problem that there aren't many alternatives from BKK to Manila.

I would avoid them at all costs as well. And there are nonstop alternatives: TG do the route once or twice per day, depending on the day, at roughly the same fare as PAL.

Not that they would be suitable alternatives, but Cebu Pacific and Kuwait also fly the route nonstop.

[craigt3365]

He should be fired. Ridiculous.

[zakk9]

An airline to avoid at any cost: They squeeze in another lane of seats (3-3-3 instead of 2-3-2) and additional rows too. At 196cm and with two passengers asided I asked for the exit seat. They only sell it for additional 50 bugs.

For an international airline, this is simply bizzare. Also they are not in any union, like One or Star.

The real problem that there aren't many alternatives from BKK to Manila.

It's 3-3-3 instead of 2-4-2, but still, it's rather hopeless. I always fly Thai between BKK and MNL, and have used Cebu Pacific within The Philippines lately. Unfortunately, the transfer between Terminal 1, where Thai is located, and Terminal 3, where Cebu can mostly be found, is extremely time consuming and uncomfortable. In addition, there are endless queues, corruption, unprofessional personnel etc. I've considered going via Singapore in the future. It isn't much of a detour when going to the south of The Philippines, and Silk Air flies directly to Davao.

[trd]

Wasn't he just saying that his life was more important than the others as a way of reassuring the passengers that their safety was paramount. He's saying look, as the pilot I wouldn't put my own life at risk. Unlike the passengers he had first hand knowledge of whatever technical problem the aircraft had. That's my take on it. It would have helped perhaps if had said it in a humorous kind of way with a smile on his face. He looked a bit too serious.

People are so quick to find fault these days.

[Bluespunk]

I'm wondering what was said to him just before the clip starts. Almost as if he is responding to a passenger moaning about their lives being disrupted...

[arunsakda]

Other than inflight meals a dog wouldn't eat I think PR is not "Horrible".

I have been on them many times with no delays or cancellations.

NAIA is the worst airport in the region however for comfort and amenities. I regulary fly a total of 6 hours out of my way to BKK to avoid connecting there. I do like the old shoeshine guys in Terminal 1 who have been there reportedly for decades. Zealously guarding what appears to be one of the best jobs in the PI making more than white-collar professionals.

[craigt3365]

That's the problem with clips like this. Easy to be taken out of context!

[chilli42]

BFD! Philippine Airlines has a reputation for terrible, nothing new. His life is more important to him than some complaining passenger, of course it is. Not a high point in diplomacy but BFD.

[arunsakda]

As a Captain I have been hassled by pax in certain situations and understand what he might have meant but he said/expressed it in a very strange way and it is a very short clip without context.

Years ago I had a woman absolutely freaking out because she saw a bit of black smoke coming out if a combustion chamber drain mast (exactly as designed) on an ATR-42.

"Ma'am, if I thought it was unsafe do you think I would be taking off?"

Fortunately due to terrorism we are strictly not allowed to deal with passengers anymore after pushback. Leave it to CA's, they have better people skills anyway.

[JacChang]

As a passenger, I am sure passengers are allowed to raise their concerns due to safety and whatnot. I forgot we need to pay extra to voice our concerns, Mr. Pilot

[condo bought]

Well, at 35,000 feet I would rather him not croak than any of the passengers.

[arunsakda]

As a passenger, I am sure passengers are allowed to raise their concerns due to safety and whatnot. I forgot we need to pay extra to voice our concerns, Mr. Pilot

I offered to return to the gate and offload her. Her husband then decided to be an ass and said "she's fine".

I told the man it was up her. End of story.

[hawker9000]

As a passenger, I am sure passengers are allowed to raise their concerns due to safety and whatnot. I forgot we need to pay extra to voice our concerns, Mr. Pilot

If you're talking about the previous post, I don't think he's saying you can't communicate a safety concern. You just have to go thru a CA. Yeah, the CA has to act as filter & intermediary, but this is the post-911world. If you have a problem with it, take it up with Tehran or your favorite muslim terrorist organization.

It sounds like the captain's speech in this instance was spur of rhe moment and not well thought out. Hopefully his handling of an in-flight emergency could be expected to be a bit more rational.

[rhodie]

Wasn't he just saying that his life was more important than the others as a way of reassuring the passengers that their safety was paramount. He's saying look, as the pilot I wouldn't put my own life at risk. Unlike the passengers he had first hand knowledge of whatever technical problem the aircraft had. That's my take on it. It would have helped perhaps if had said it in a humorous kind of way with a smile on his face. He looked a bit too serious.

People are so quick to find fault these days.

+1

Give the guy a break. The clip does not convey before and after and I am sure he meant it as described above.

[swerver]

Wasn't he just saying that his life was more important than the others as a way of reassuring the passengers that their safety was paramount. He's saying look, as the pilot I wouldn't put my own life at risk. Unlike the passengers he had first hand knowledge of whatever technical problem the aircraft had. That's my take on it. It would have helped perhaps if had said it in a humorous kind of way with a smile on his face. He looked a bit too serious.

People are so quick to find fault these days.

+1

Give the guy a break. The clip does not convey before and after and I am sure he meant it as described above.

With over 10,000 hours in the air my answer to all the above is,

"tried one stunt with an airline (passengers) and a very short one at that and I got my belly full of passengers.

They're all experts about flying except that the only thing they know about flying is, "You buy a ticket and it takes you somewhere". I left the passenger airline field and returned to what I liked best "Cargo Charter flying" even live cows didn't ever think about telling me how to fly the airplane, like human animals do.

What the PAL captain said is exactly how the ones upfront on the Flight deck (Cockpit) think. They may not say it, but that's how they feel about it.

Lets be realistic, if the ones upfront make it safely, all the ones behind them will make it safely also. So why should the ones upfront think about the ones behind them??? No reason whatsoever.

[bangon04]

.

NAIA is the worst airport in the region however for comfort and amenities. I regulary fly a total of 6 hours out of my way to BKK to avoid connecting there. I do like the old shoeshine guys in Terminal 1 who have been there reportedly for decades. Zealously guarding what appears to be one of the best jobs in the PI making more than white-collar professionals.

Sorry to spoil your memories, but the shoeshine guys were forced to move to Terminal 3 back when they started the renovations at Terminal 1 a couple of years ago. Of course they are not happy about it.....

[arunsakda]

Really? I havent been there in the daytime in ages, and they were always closed at night.

[zakk9]

.

NAIA is the worst airport in the region however for comfort and amenities. I regulary fly a total of 6 hours out of my way to BKK to avoid connecting there. I do like the old shoeshine guys in Terminal 1 who have been there reportedly for decades. Zealously guarding what appears to be one of the best jobs in the PI making more than white-collar professionals.

Sorry to spoil your memories, but the shoeshine guys were forced to move to Terminal 3 back when they started the renovations at Terminal 1 a couple of years ago. Of course they are not happy about it.....

I wouldn't have been happy to be moved to Terminal 3 either. It must be the slowest, most corrupt and unpleasant airport terminal on earth. I haven't been to all though...

[arunsakda]

And don't forget "tea and bikkies" with base Chief Pilot for being in cabin without necktie! My goodness.

[JacChang]

As a passenger, I am sure passengers are allowed to raise their concerns due to safety and whatnot. I forgot we need to pay extra to voice our concerns, Mr. Pilot

I offered to return to the gate and offload her. Her husband then decided to be an ass and said "she's fine".

I told the man it was up her. End of story.

How nice of you. Her husband said the same thing.

[JacChang]

As a passenger, I am sure passengers are allowed to raise their concerns due to safety and whatnot. I forgot we need to pay extra to voice our concerns, Mr. Pilot

If you're talking about the previous post, I don't think he's saying you can't communicate a safety concern. You just have to go thru a CA. Yeah, the CA has to act as filter & intermediary, but this is the post-911world. If you have a problem with it, take it up with Tehran or your favorite muslim terrorist organization.

It sounds like the captain's speech in this instance was spur of rhe moment and not well thought out. Hopefully his handling of an in-flight emergency could be expected to be a bit more rational.

So what exactly do you think he is communicating? Please let me know. All passengers will voice their concerns to their CA, and the CA should address it accordingly as appropriate, not filter it. Any serious problems should be alerted to the pilot, who will either give an explanation or correct the issue, for everyone to be safe and comfortable.