Greenspun's arguments are bit a flippant, as noted here in the ending comments:
"To see just how much of a factor this is, look at how mishap rates plummeted after the introduction of CRM training at US carriers in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Prior to widespread CRM training, the culture at major US carriers was largely as Gladwell describes current foreign carrier culture: the captain's word was final, and co-pilots didn't speak up or contradict the captain."
Dismissing PDI out of hand as "already handled" is perhaps being disingenuous about the role it may play.
I haven't read Gladwell's book, but does it compare Korean and USA PDI and disaster rates, or disaster rates from a large number of countries?
If Gladwell has looked at a few more countries (and perhaps even ploted PDI against crashes) then he's done a much better job than Greenspun's comparison of "Foriegn" and "US" pilots.
If not, then the ball would be in Gladwell's court (so to speak).
It's obvious that Greenspun knows US air safety better than Gladwell though.
Comments
Greenspun's arguments are bit a flippant, as noted here in the ending comments:
"To see just how much of a factor this is, look at how mishap rates plummeted after the introduction of CRM training at US carriers in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Prior to widespread CRM training, the culture at major US carriers was largely as Gladwell describes current foreign carrier culture: the captain's word was final, and co-pilots didn't speak up or contradict the captain."
Dismissing PDI out of hand as "already handled" is perhaps being disingenuous about the role it may play.
I haven't read Gladwell's book, but does it compare Korean and USA PDI and disaster rates, or disaster rates from a large number of countries?
If Gladwell has looked at a few more countries (and perhaps even ploted PDI against crashes) then he's done a much better job than Greenspun's comparison of "Foriegn" and "US" pilots.
If not, then the ball would be in Gladwell's court (so to speak).
It's obvious that Greenspun knows US air safety better than Gladwell though.