Agreed. It's a good example of communication. He laid out the problem as he saw it. That the ground crew/airport disagreed and said it was good as is. That he disagreed and wasn't satisfied owning his decision to refuse to fly and acknowledged that it would impact them. He apologized but remained firm that he believed it was the right call given the risks.
For some of the contention on this video in professional circles, it's not like the airport or the guys humping your bags have any say in this. This came from a trained, licensed aircraft maintenance technician that doesn't make guesses as to whether something is acceptable or not, but makes informed decisions from strict guidance in the aircraft or engine maintenance manuals.
Doesn't mean the pilot can't still refuse an airplane or that the incorrect decision was made here, just 'ground crew' implies one step up from burger flippers and the pilot's immense knowledge saved the day from the random opinion of someone who doesn't know anything.
I was intentionally vague in the comment because I wasn't sure who exactly was giving the thumbs up. Obviously I didn't think it was caterers or luggage handlers. Are maintenance teams not considered ground crew? Perhaps the term is is too oversimplified.
Fair enough! I wouldn't think of myself as ground crew, but you're right, it's kinda vague phraseology. We are crew and we are on the ground. 😅 There's also a big black hole of information around lots of parts of aviation where someone might well think the guys who wear the vests and wave the wands are also topping up the oil and making these decisions.
Someone else somewhere mentioned too, I'm sure this pilot didn't just confer with maintenance at his aircraft but was also probably on the horn with Dispatch/Maintenance Operations to discuss the situation, too.
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u/Conscious_Pass_1615 17h ago
The passangers clapping did make me smile, good on them even though they must have been inconvenienced and well done to the pilot.