Loading…
8
A pilot in Bakersfield told me my torque check was 'just a suggestion' and I still get mad about it
About 8 months ago I was doing a landing gear inspection in Bakersfield and a pilot walked up while I was torquing the axle nut. He watched me for a second and said, 'you don't really need to check that every time, it's basically a suggestion.' I put my wrench down and just stared at him. I told him the torque value on that nut is the only thing keeping his wheel from turning into a frisbee at 80 knots. He laughed and walked off like I was the crazy one. The worst part is he's not the only pilot I've met who treats our checks like we're being dramatic. I've had two other guys in the past year make comments like that about safety wire and fluid checks. Here's my thing: we don't do this stuff because we like paperwork, we do it because people's lives are in that seat. If you fly and you think torque specs are optional, please tell me you've never actually signed off on a squawk like that. What's the wildest thing a pilot or crew has said to you that made you question reality?
1 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In1 Comment
sullivan.finley1d ago
Had a buddy who worked line at a small field in the valley and he got told by a pilot that the oil cap being finger tight was "close enough." He said the guy actually waved him off when he went to snug it up, like it was no big deal. Two days later that same plane came back with oil streaked down the whole side of the cowling, and the pilot acted like it was some kind of mystery. My buddy didn't even say anything, just pointed at the cap and walked away. Some people have to learn the hard way, and it's always the ones who laugh at you first.
1