AIRCREW MENTAL HEALTH: INTEGRAL TO A SAFE AND SECURE FLIGHT
There are thousands of disruptive passenger incidents each year, but a lesser occurrence is that of ‘disruptive’ fl ight deck and cabin crew episodes, the results of which have the potential to be far more serious. A number of recent incidents involving the mental health breakdown of US aircrew in-fl ight have hit the headlines. Anna Costin looks at these and some of the other reported aircrew incidents and investigates what measures are in place to ensure the psychological stability of those responsible for our safety in the air.
M
any a Hollywood movie has depicted scenes of aircraft that continue to fly on auto-pilot
when their flight deck crews have been incapacitated due to an act of terrorism or aggression onboard, often leaving it to an heroic flight attendant or passenger to land the plane. Films such as ‘Airplane’ and ‘Turbulence’ spring to mind, and the recent film Flight depicts a substance abusing captain. Disaster movie, drama or comedy, the images play on our fear of flying and cause us to question “what if...” those in whom we place our faith and entrust our lives are not in control. However in such thoughts we tend to think of the incapacitation being the result of a terrorist or criminal act or technical failure. Rarely, as members of the public, do we consider whether the crew themselves are mentally stable. The industry, however, in assessing risk, must make such evaluations and monitor the health, both physical and mental, of its flight attendants and pilots.
16
Flight Attendants In March 2012, an American Airlines flight attendant had to be restrained by passengers on an aircraft at Dallas Fort Worth airport. She had used the intercom to tell passengers that the plane was returning to the gate due to mechanical problems and she then started ranting that she was not going to be responsible for crashing the plane. A colleague attempted to remove her from the PA system and some of the passengers then intervened when the unidentified flight attendant, who is reported to have had 23 years experience, began kicking and screaming at her colleague. Fortunately, the flight was still on the ground and a statement by American Airlines insisted that passengers had not been in any danger.
In 2010, JetBlue was in the news after flight attendant Stephen Slater, apparently fed up with ‘rude’ passengers, made a spectacular exit as his flight taxied to the gate at JFK; he activated
Download your FREE ASI "iPad/iPhone APP" NOW
the emergency chute and jumped from the plane. He was later ordered by a court to undergo counselling and substance abuse treatment and was sentenced to one year’s probation. Slater, who had no criminal history, claimed he cracked under pressure because of his recently deceased father, terminally ill mother and his own health problems, including HIV. A mental-health evaluation following the incident found he had a clinical disorder and alcohol-abuse problems.
These incidents have highlighted the fact that the US’ airline regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), does not require medical screening for flight attendants. Unlike pilots, flight attendants in the US do not undergo a medical examination, and airlines are not permitted to ask about mental health conditions. Flight attendants are certified by the FAA after completing a rigorous training programme that focuses on emergency situation skills. If flight attendants seek mental health
February 2013 Aviationsecurityinternational
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48