Safety management and organizational challenges at Sky High Airlines

Sky High Airlines #1

Initial Briefing

Safety conditions at Sky High -- in general, there seems to be a series of issues regarding safety with Sky High. There are a number of unanswered complaints, a number of issues with baggage handlers, smaller planes, the public, and even internally that just seem to go nowhere. While the conditions do not seem so dire as to have the FAA involved, it appears that it is only luck that this has not happened. Cases in point:

January 28th letter from attorney regarding potential litigation on noise abatement.

Flying violation for pilot while operating Sky High.

Passenger complaints about boarding stairs

35% increase in insurance premiums over 24 months due to excessive injury claims from employees.

e. Considerable antipathy between operations and safety

V. Safety Department update, 90 days action plan

3. Item II -- clarification of charter and span of control; this issue is absolutely critical to the ability of Safety to even have a chance to make any inroads in solving the issues at hand. Unless there is a mandate from the company president, other departments will not take Safety seriously, nor will they understand that safety is not optional in an airline industry that transports people, and which is also regulated by FAA rulings. A clear and pointed memo needs to occur from the President's desk.

Item III -- critical issues -- Based on the above, the first critical issue is to meet with, dialog, and come to an agreement with maintenance that the issues between Safety and Maintenance become more team oriented and congenial. It is essential for both departments to understand that working together is not optional for the continued fiscal health of the airline, and that continued breach of communications and lack of cooperation is placing the entire company in jeopardy and open to legal and Federal action that may indeed shut the company down.

Item V -- Within 90 days the following needs to occur: a) a Safety Operations Committee featuring department heads from Marketing, Maintenance, Operations, Pilot Union, Human Resources, and Worker's representatives, Chaired by Safety established and regular meeting schedule provided with mandates and charter; b) Charter for the above to be first provided to President for approval; c) first order of business for committee is the rapid production of company Safety Manual, with clear delineations of authority for robust enforcement of Safety rules; d) companywide education program defined and scheduled regarding safety issues.

4. Top three priorities are as listed above in item #3. This is a rapid plan to correct numerous dysfunctions prior to any escalation in potential liability or legal exposure. In particular rift between Maintenance and Safety must be proactively healed, and a win-win opportunity presented that will allow Maintenance to feel that they are indeed integral to the function of the company. Additionally, there are several major issues that are far more pertinent to the company's success and safety than items that focus on small distances between items (1/8") or fire extinguisher placement. Safety must take the high road and provide cogent and legitimate conclusions.