Safety measures criticized after Germanwings crash

Everyone agrees that an accident like that should never happen again. As a result, two expert groups are now discussing new safety measures. Pilots consider some of the recommendations to be unsuitable.

Four months ago to this day, a Germanwings' Airbus crashed into the French Alps, leaving 150 people dead. The news sent shockwaves across of Europe. Soon after that, investigators reported their assumption that the co-pilot intentionally steered the plane into the mountains when the pilot left the cockpit to use the toilet.

The question as to whether the tragedy could have been averted was posted immediately. For one thing, :"the rule of two" was adopted in all of Europe's airspace only eight days after the disaster. Ever since then, at least two crew members must in the cockpit at all times.

Opinions on this rule differ. Pilot associations and unions are even demanding to reverse it. "We are of the opinion that these measures do not boost security, but instead, that potential disadvantages outweigh the benefits," stated Markus Wahl, the spokesman for the German pilots' association, Cockpit, in an interview with DW.

Cockpit takes part in the two work groups arranged by the EU and the German government. They discuss whether new air travel safety measures are required. Even the interim report issued by the German expert group notes that the "risk of external penetration (by a terrorist or criminal) would be the most probable activity." Nonetheless, the work group recommends abiding by the rule and that in a year's time, it should be re-examined and possibly eliminated.

Psychological examinations

You can't read a pilot's mind, but you can at least try to get a better picture of what's going on. Preliminary psychological examinations should become a standard procedure for pilots. "Currently, there are professional pilots who have never been psychologically assessed," writes the European expert group in its interim report. Lufthansa has been using psychological assessments in its selection process for a long time now.

Also, Lufthansa has been providing their crew members with a psychological support center for many years. Employees can go there if they encounter psychological difficulties – their own or other employees'. The German work group, led by the German Aviation Association (BDL), calls for the standardization of this procedure in the entire European Union in the future. "The existing help offerings have been well received. That is why they should be expanded," says Matthias von Randow, executive director of the German Aviation Association (BDL).

Regular blood and drug testing

Both work groups recommend regular and unannounced blood and drug tests for pilots. Markus Wahl doubts such measures will work. "Tests like that could prove to be counterproductive and not serve the goal of air travel safety," he said. Studies have shown that unannounced drug tests are not effective, yet still very expensive, explained Wahl.

All these measures must build up trust, so pilots do not feel compelled to hide their problems, but instead, accept help offerings when difficulties arise. "Someone affected by problems will only open up if there is no fear of an immediate impact on a work contract."

Merging medical examination files

For the same reason, Wahl, who is a pilot himself, rejects plans of merging medical examination files. "In our view, mutual trust between a doctor and a patient is necessary for flight safety. Only if I, as a pilot, know that my doctor will treat my files confidentially, will I confide in him."

Despite Cockpit's objections, the two groups insist on following their recommendations. "An essential part of medical suitability assessment is that doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists who treat a patient, as well as supervisory authorities, all have access to the examination history of a pilot," says Matthias von Randow, executive director of the German Aviation Association (BDL). Data will be anonymized in the future in order to maintain medical confidentiality and data protection standards.

None of these measures has been finalized; nonetheless, they serve as a basis for further talks and also include laws. Markus Wahl from Cockpit points out that one should never stop improving air travel safety systems and that until now, things have been going well.