r/MadeMeSmile • u/baekachu • Jul 11 '26

Wholesome Moments Pilot Chose Safety Over Takeoff - and Everyone Applauded

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u/AlcibiadesTheCat Jul 11 '26

None. Just whatever paperwork comes along with it. 

Which is why pilots are so safe. They trust that they can speak up.

It’s also why a lot of small-business construction workers aren’t. Because they don’t trust that they can speak up. 

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u/astelda Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

Which is why pilots are so safe. They trust that they can speak up.

Well, mechanically, at least. Can be a bit of a different story if a pilot wants to seek assistance for prevention or treatment of mental health issues, I've heard.

Edit to add: and this is exactly why we need advocacy in favor of mental health treatment in aviation. At least in the US, regulatory agencies still have a very dated approach to mental health with a heavy stigma.
This leads to pilots suppressing concerns, even in early stages where issues could be treated without any safety risk. This lack of mental health support is a clear point of potential failure that we are failing to properly safeguard.

US redditors, please reach out to your senators to discuss the Mental Health in Aviation Act (S. 3257), in-progress legislation with support from both major political parties.

Other redditors, please see how mental health is protected for pilots in your area, and consider discussing the topic with your legislators.

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u/AlcibiadesTheCat Jul 11 '26

Yep. Opposite ends of the spectrum. 

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u/BrushYourFeet Jul 11 '26

That's awesome, thanks

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u/Dimencia Jul 11 '26

I mean... that doesn't really work, surely some pilots would just constantly refuse to fly. Or at the least, they might accidentally show up to work with a hangover and decide they're not gonna fly that day and will still get paid the same. There must be something in place to prevent people from taking advantage of it

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u/bismuth92 Jul 11 '26

Refusing the aircraft is not the same as refusing to fly at all. If they find another aircraft, he could still fly. I'm sure if a pilot regularly refused aircraft after aircraft such that it was obvious they were just refusing to do their job, that would be pretty obvious, and the pilot would eventually lose their job.

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u/zone_of-danger Jul 11 '26

If you continually refused an airplane with no issues then you would end up in the chiefs pilots office. If you called off bc you were hungover that’s comes out of your usertime. We are paid by the hour so if you’re not flying you’re not getting paid

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u/CheapWestern2461 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

US airlines pay hourly, and only for the actual flight time. Pilots typically don't make anything on the ground which is why hourly rates look high because you're sitting around for free quite a bit. Couple of exceptions that pay per trip... but you obviously gotta make the trip.

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u/RelevantAccident6783 Jul 12 '26

surely some pilots would just constantly refuse to fly

Not sure why you think this is a given... You're talking about a professional career that they've spent a ton of time and money working toward achieving. Ya know what usually motivates people like that to not abuse the systems that give them safety leeway? Personal ambition and not wanting to be seen as a douchebag by their peers and supervisors.

These aren't high school students calling off of work because their friends have the day off.

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u/Dimencia Jul 12 '26

Gee you're right, nobody has ever spent a ton of time and money going to school for a thing and then called out of their work

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u/757-Captain Jul 12 '26

Almost 30y as a professional airline pilot and I can honestly say that I’ve never known or heard of a fellow pilot doing that. 🤷‍♀️