Flying Blind, Flying Safe

Rating:
Summary: Nope
Review: I read this book when it first came out. I actually spent money on it which I am mad about now. I didn't even finish it. I got about two-thirds through before I couldn't stand it anymore. She had so many things in that book that were totally false I couldn't believe it. I've been in the airline industry since '88 and had to laugh at this book. And NO I'm not bashing the book because it bashes the airlines and FAA. The FAA needs bashing I think. They have big problems. Airlines are in no way problem-free either, by any means.

The problem I had with this book was that many "facts" she had were completely false. I don't know how someone could, in good conscience, especially someone who is supposedly an authority on aviation safety, write and publish a book on airline safety with as many falsities which can be found in this book.

That's all. Except that when I see her on TV I have to change the station.

Rating:
Summary: What do you think now???
Review: I read this book when it first came out. The author received much criticism about her " biased " opinions. In the wake of the terroist hijackings due to lax security, it is safe to say that the FAA is clueless. Of couse people will say that the airlines are responsible for airline security but the FAA regulates the airlines right? How about the child who flew for 26 hours straight on several different planes before being discovered? How do these things happen. Now the airlines are in deep financial trouble due to their incompetence and are crying for the government to bail them out. Mary was right on.

Rating:
Summary: Nope
Review: I read this book when it first came out. The author received much criticism about her " biased " opinions. In the wake of the terroist hijackings due to lax security, it is safe to say that the FAA is clueless. Of couse people will say that the airlines are responsible for airline security but the FAA regulates the airlines right? How about the child who flew for 26 hours straight on several different planes before being discovered? How do these things happen. Now the airlines are in deep financial trouble due to their incompetence and are crying for the government to bail them out. Mary was right on.

Rating:
Summary: Flying Blind Flying Safe-Is a Must Read for Anyone Who Flies
Review: Mary Schiavo has done an excellent job of investigating and reporting on FRAUD and GREED and outright DANGER in the airline industry.It is a must read for any one who flies daily or steps on an airplane just once in their life. She exposes the big boys who pressure the FAA to give them approval on planes before they have been fully tested, known problems with the Valujet planes and many other Airlines. If you HAVE to fly at least take the time to find out what airlines you should use and what airlines have horrible ratings. Mary risked her life to get into print- what we need to know. I have read some of the other reviews of her book -duly noting that they couldn't even SPELL correctly, let alone write a book. They also asked to remain anonymous. I am sure by writing this book Mary hurt a lot of people in the airline industry and it has been a grave embarrassment for them. Well, sometimes industry has to be EMBARRASSED to save innocent lives! For instance the new problems involving the Alaskan airlines.If her book saves one life...we can all say...AMEN. Read the book...draw your own conclusions.I am not a friend of Marys' or involved in the airline industry, but I intend to be an educated consumer.

Rating:
Summary: How to market yourself as an expert, by Mary Schiavo
Review: Ms. Schiavo was touted as an expert in aeronautical safety and managed to finagle herself into a high-level position within the government overseeing the functions of a highly technical organization while possessing little to no technical qualification. After being drummed out of the Department Of Transportation for her Inquisition-like controversial practices, she slithered back into private practice and convinced an unsuspecting publisher of her expertise.

The result of her literary effort is a single-minded, agenda driven indictment of the aviation industry with little substance. Allegations of improprieties are supported only by personal opinion and innuendo. Federal overseers are portrayed as mindless oafs, uncaring civil servants or career politicians whos actions border on the criminal. The author does manage to insert some air safety tips but even these are lacking in true substance.

Ms. Schiavo tries to impress her audience as a selfless, dedicated saviour of the traveling public. Unfortunately, her book contains so many holes that the reader is left wondering not about aviation safety but the author's somewhat incredible imagination.

I'm glad I didn't actually pay for the book.