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OSHA Orders Air Methods to Reinstate Whistleblower Pilot
In a decision that is sure to evoke emotional responses from observers on all sides of the political and aviation spectrum, OSHA announced in a press release that it has reinstated a pilot who refused to fly a medevac flight for his employer, Air Methods, because the helicopter's ELT was faulty. (www.flyingmag.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Old news was posted before.
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)
OSHA orders pilot to be reinstated after being illegally fired for refusing to fly medical transport helicopter
OSHA found that Air Methods fired the pilot in retaliation for his refusal to fly a helicopter with an emergency locator transmitter that was not functioning properly on July 30, 2013.
http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/30083
OSHA orders pilot to be reinstated after being illegally fired for refusing to fly medical transport helicopter
OSHA found that Air Methods fired the pilot in retaliation for his refusal to fly a helicopter with an emergency locator transmitter that was not functioning properly on July 30, 2013.
http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/30083
Granted ELTs are mandatory but what about the patient(s) waiting to be airlifted to the nearest hospital and save their lives........ What comes first. Silly pilot indeed.
More detail in OSHA press release:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20142294.htm
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20142294.htm
Regardless of the ELT requirement, this pilot had better find him another workplace. If he is put back to work, his life will be miserable, plus, carrying the whistleblower label with him, he better hope for a huge chunk of money, as it will be rough finding a job. Not how it ought to be but that is how it is.
Sure, you're "protected" against reprisal for being a whistleblower, but try proving that anything apart from an official personnel action is reprisal...
Since all this pilot got was back pay and less than $10k in damages, he's not likely to be able to afford retirement any time soon.
Since all this pilot got was back pay and less than $10k in damages, he's not likely to be able to afford retirement any time soon.
Well, at $158,000 his back pay is not slouchy but being off all this time and the future, it won't last forever, plus, he hasn't gotten it yet. The company appealed I think.