All of the attention on the co-pilot of the Germanwings plane is confusing for us. First of all, most crashes take months to come up with a reason for the accident, an answer in one week is very suspect. Secondly, "finding" torn up medical notes, seems a bit "lucky." Thirdly, there has been no official mention of terrorism. And lastly, along with the terrorist connection, the National Security Council spokeswoman stated on the day of the accident that there was no proof that it was terrorism related yet Middle East websites said different.
We know there is a lot of information that is not known at this time which will become evident as the investigation continues. However, when the Administration issues a statement on terrorism before any of the bodies or black boxes are recovered, seems a bit irresponsible. Or is it making a preemptive strike against those who would assume that is the case? Or does the Administration know something that they are not telling us?
From the very beginning of this tragedy there are a number of issues that usually does not occur in any aircraft accident. Naming the captain but not the co-pilot, the Administration's "no terrorism" here statement, the immediate descent on the co-pilot's home, and the finding of "medical notes" in his trash. Heck, in one week we know more about this pilot's love life than we do for President Obama's! There is something wrong with this whole picture.
We hope there is not a cover-up going on here, but suspect there is.
Conservative Tom
Depressed Pilots: Ticking Time Bombs?
Friday, 27 Mar 2015 05:43 PM
The tragic crash of a jetliner in the French Alps has spotlighted the potential problem of airline pilot depression.
German pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally crashed a Germanwings plane, killing all 150 aboard after apparently being treated for mental illness, authorities say.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, with studies showing that about 9 percent of American adults suffer from the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Since there are 104,000 commercial and airline pilots in the U.S., that would mean there could potentially be some 9,200 pilots with depression, assuming they suffer the illness at the same rate as other American adults.
With such statistics, it is very likely there are pilots flying today who aredealing with depression , a factor that could put passengers at risk, according to Angelos Halaris, M.D., a Loyola University Medical Center psychiatrist who specializes indepression treatment .
Although pilots are routinely screened for physical and mental problems, Lubitz apparently successfully hid his condition from his employer, according to reports.
“People who are depressed can hide it successfully,” said Dr. Halaris, who heads Loyola’s psychiatry department. “They can fake a normal mood, or tear up a letter saying they are not fit for duty, especially if they are so driven or take it as a personal insult or embarrassment.”
According to crash investigators, the pilot had taken a break from flight training in 2009 for depression and anxiety treatment, which should have been a red flag, said Dr. Halaris.
Such lax oversight points to problems not only in other countries, but in the U.S. as well, Dr. Halaris told Newsmax Health.
“One area in we have lagged is our ability to do a good job assessing individuals in terms of putting them in charge of a plane, train, or even surgeons --any job in which they have control of other people’s lives. We need to get serious about it.”
Dr. Halaris has treated thousands of people with depression over the years, and said he makes such a recommendation with reluctance. But in the case of pilots, this is justified, he believes.
“If the person fails, we are left with a disaster,” he said.
Such a prohibition shouldapply even to those people successfully controlling their depression with medication, said Dr. Halaris.
“People on medication can stop taking medication, and unfortunately, with depression this happens all the time. If people stop taking it, they can go into a massive relapse,” he said.
“We don’t know if this is what happened in the case of the German pilot, but if it was, it took the lives of 150 people.”
Dr. Halaris said he was taking his stance to prohibit depression patients from being pilots reluctantly because, “I am the last person to support any discrimination with people with a psychiatric disorder.”
© 2015 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.German pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally crashed a Germanwings plane, killing all 150 aboard after apparently being treated for mental illness, authorities say.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, with studies showing that about 9 percent of American adults suffer from the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Since there are 104,000 commercial and airline pilots in the U.S., that would mean there could potentially be some 9,200 pilots with depression, assuming they suffer the illness at the same rate as other American adults.
With such statistics, it is very likely there are pilots flying today who are
Although pilots are routinely screened for physical and mental problems, Lubitz apparently successfully hid his condition from his employer, according to reports.
“People who are depressed can hide it successfully,” said Dr. Halaris, who heads Loyola’s psychiatry department. “They can fake a normal mood, or tear up a letter saying they are not fit for duty, especially if they are so driven or take it as a personal insult or embarrassment.”
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According to crash investigators, the pilot had taken a break from flight training in 2009 for depression and anxiety treatment, which should have been a red flag, said Dr. Halaris.
Such lax oversight points to problems not only in other countries, but in the U.S. as well, Dr. Halaris told Newsmax Health.
“One area in we have lagged is our ability to do a good job assessing individuals in terms of putting them in charge of a plane, train, or even surgeons --
Dr. Halaris has treated thousands of people with depression over the years, and said he makes such a recommendation with reluctance. But in the case of pilots, this is justified, he believes.
“If the person fails, we are left with a disaster,” he said.
Such a prohibition should
“People on medication can stop taking medication, and unfortunately, with depression this happens all the time. If people stop taking it, they can go into a massive relapse,” he said.
“We don’t know if this is what happened in the case of the German pilot, but if it was, it took the lives of 150 people.”
Dr. Halaris said he was taking his stance to prohibit depression patients from being pilots reluctantly because, “I am the last person to support any discrimination with people with a psychiatric disorder.”
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