To Ground Or Not To Ground?

Every day we make decisions while working the Line that effect others. Perhaps the biggest decision and sometimes the most difficult is the decision to ground a fully loaded and fueled airplane. It's not an easy call to make and when you are working with other mechanics you often get the old -"you make the call"- thing. Of course nobody likes to ground planes but its a decision that has to be made from time to time.

When a plane comes in and I am working it I like to be the one who makes the call as far as grounded or not. I do not look to others for the decision as I believe being the first mechanic on the AC that call is up to me. There are times when it is obvious like major engine issues or flight control problems etc. But there are far more instances when grounding a plane is a subjective thing.

Part of the problem with deciding to ground airplanes is that often times the mechanic realizes that the sqwak is a grounding item but others do not. Pilots, Ops people, Customer Service, and even sometimes Dispatch will all try to influence you when it comes down to a go or no go situation. These are the times that not being sure and having doubt can get you into trouble.

Bottom line is if you as a mechanic believe that the airplane is not airworthy you should ground the plane. This is not an industry where you can flip a coin or hope that everything will turn out fine. In my experience, at an airline level, most mechanics know when planes need to be taken out of service and are not easily swayed on the issue of safety. These days with the FAA increasing the pressure on mechanic you have to protect yourself as well as the company, passengers, and flight crews.

When it's "grounded pal" it's grounded.