Plane Crash Probe

I can't believe 50 people died because the pilot and co-pilot were flirting!  There was no problem at all with the plane?

Totally the Airlines fault! They put the lives of those passengers in the hands of unqualified pilots!

The crew was too complacient, too laid back, unfortunately not here to discuss the issue.

Its unfortunate that the pilots were too lax to keep in front of the aircraft, or here to debate the issue.

I am answering this question from the viewpoint of a hightime ATP pilot and flight instructor. He was not qualified to command that flight and, unfortunately, he is typical of many crewmembers flying for the nation's commuters and regionals. Licensure in 2005 to the left seat flying in the nations east in all kinds of weather in 2009 is cutting it close. Especially, if as the news suggests, he had diffuculty getting his ratings and associated endorsements to command. I am appalled by the aviation magazines that advertise ab-inito pilot candidates going from zero time to the right seat of a regional jet in 90 days. I certainly do not want to be riding in the back with a crew like that in the front.

I'm not familiar with that aircraft BUT, I would be of the opinin that ANY SIGNIFICANT amount of ice on the aircraft would be/ should be, of CONCERN! If the aircraft was equiped with "de-ice" equipment, WHY was it not used?

I have been a professional pilot for 35 years. I have flown all types of piston and jet aircraft. The training along the way was not always in simulators, although it had it's place. I flew with seasoned line Captains. Men who cam up through the ranks, and I did too. When I made Captain I too was seasoned.

In todays airline world there is too little time in the right seat(Co-pilot)before upgrade. Flying is not all about pushing buttons. There is some dgree of computerazition; yet there is an old aviation saying" There is no subtitute for experience" This is what makes the correct decision at critical times; like Buffalo...

I would love to share other opinions. I can be contacted @ joe55atp@aol.com

This is a really misleading headline about a tragic event.  People died, including the pilots, and AOL wants to make it read like a sex scandal.   There's nothing in the transcript to suggest "flirting."  Yes, the pilots were deadly wrong in their cockpit converstation.  Shame on AOL for trying to sensationalize it further.