Interesting thread, and good points from both camps!
I agree that the full scale SMS model used and implemented by larger 704 and 705 operators won't fit the 1 or 2 airplane mom and pop operations. That said, I agree with George in that the fundamentals of SMS can be applied to all operations to improve safety and save money in one form or another. I believe self auditing through an inhouse quality assurance of sorts and promoting non punitive incident reporting can be productive and efficient as long as we don't drown the smaller operations in paperwork. Some of you on here seem to have concluded that this self auditing and non punitive inhouse reporting is a threat to safety, and a way for TC to get away from direct oversight. I do not see it this way at all. Transport will continue to audit all operators. The only thing changing is what they look for when they come knocking on your door. In the past TC would go through all your paperwork, i.e flighplans, journey log sheets, training files and weight & balances with a fine tooth comb, and some time after the fact you'd get a letter stating the findings and how much time you have to correct these sometime insignificant shortcomings. I'll make up an example. Lets say you assign someone in your 703 operation to go through every other journey log sheet and see the same mistakes come up over and over again by several pilots. Would you rather find this yourself and disclose it to TC when they come around (might not even be required), tell them you have now implemented 10 minutes of training for all new pilots in how to fill out the journey log? Or would you prefer TC find it during an audit and send you nasty letters? When TC comes around to an operator with SMS in place they will look at what you have found, what incidents you have had and what you the operator have done to ensure it does not happen again. If you are telling TC you have nothing to disclose I am sure red flags will pop up and you would find yourself under the microscope. The crook operators that where flying unsafe equipment, overloaded, into bad weather and intentionally braking CARS before SMS came around will continue to do so unless TC is sitting on the front steps. As George said, TC can't monitor every departure and flight out there . The operator always has, and must continue to take some responsibility for their actions. It comes with OC. I could mention several operators in recent times whom have either had their OC revoked or threatend to have it revoked by TC if immediate action was not taken. So to say that TC has relinquished all controll and oversight or intend too is simply wrong. A good and simple non punitive reporting policy in the Flight Operations manual will go a long ways. Then you have something concrete to take to the labour board when your boss fires you for reporting an everyday incident and doing your job in promoting safety, and trying to prevent a reoccurence, as long as there was not a blatant and intentional disregard for safety.
I am with a larger operator now and the SMS/quality assurance wheels are in full motion and working. SMS is without a doubt saving the company alot of money and future incidents that could be costly in more ways than one. I think someone needs to sit down and review the model for the smaller operators, and how SMS can be applied ther too withouth hampering an otherwise safe and efficient operation.
Stop dabbling, you damned tax-payer-wasteful bunch of hypocritical, useless, incompetent, irresponsible and confused IDIOTS!!!
Now, let me see..........how do I really feel?
Snaproll20, are you painting everyone at TC with this brush? I am a rookie compared to you no doubt, but in my 17 years of commercial flying, from the pilots seat and Chief Pilot's chair I have had nothing but positive experinces in dealing with TC. Whether it was while being ramped somewhere or during or after an audit. There are dudds in every crowd but the friends I have at TC ( although unable to change the system ) are more than compentent and professional in their job and conduct and have brought a lot to the organization through decades of esperience in 703, 704 and 705.
My 2 cents.
Flame away!
