Re: Southwest Airlines mechanics very worried about safety in weeks before Flight 1380
All contract maintenance except for their hubs. They dissuade pilot write ups in the maintenance logbooks. I'd go through the logbook of a 737-7/800 and see no write ups for days. Our own (Continental) 737-7/800 aircraft would average about 1 maintenance write up every day. It was clear that they would withhold writing up maintenance problems,if they could, in the logbook til they were landing at a hub where their own mechanics were. Why? $$$$$$$$ Contract maintenance was paid to respond by the time it took to correct or defer the problem. It's part of the cost cutting that all Low Cost Carriers employ.