THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 6, 1996 TAG: 9606060018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 30 lines
I am still trying to keep up with what seems to be the never-ending search into the crash of the ValuJet in the Florida Everglades.
What really amazes me about all of this is how an airline and the FAA, once there is a tragedy such as this, start to perform all of the necessary investigations and maintenance that should have been done long before the plane ever left the ground. Why all of their diligence once lives have been lost, when it's too late? It's almost as if they are saying, ``What the flying public doesn't know won't hurt them.'' Well, it does hurt, especially the family members and friends left behind to grieve for their loved ones.
It not only hurts us, it kills us too.
The flying public deserves better. We do, after all, help keep airlines in business and, if I'm not mistaken, a portion of our taxes pays the salaries of FAA employees.
Accidents happen and are sometimes unavoidable. However, I do not understand why the airline industry isn't more closely monitored by the FAA and by the industry's own quality-control people to see that every precaution is taken to meet all necessary safety standards.
As for me, I think in the future if the only way I can get there is by air, I'll stay home.
DIANE BUCCINI
Virginia Beach, May 27, 1996 by CNB