Claim Carrier Lets Planes Fly With Known Problems

One day after they raised serious questions about safety at Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary, Jazz... four mechanics have found themselves suspended with pay.

Dave Avella, Grant Anastas, Ron Anstey and Gianni Ballestrin are all now under investigation themselves, after telling the Toronto Star the company forces them to release planes that have known mechanical problems -- problems they say compromise flight safety.

All four worked at the Jazz maintenance facility in Toronto... and while they're currently out of work, their words may have reached the ears the four wanted to reach. Transport Canada says it'll launch an audit into the LCC's mechanical operations within the next 90-days.

A Jazz spokeswoman says the airline will also investigate the mechanics' allegations.

"The suspensions are so we can have some time to review the concerns raised in the article and why the mechanics chose to take that avenue when there are numerous internal options available to them," said Jazz spokesperson Debra Williams to the Star.

The answer to that may lie in what other Jazz workers have to say. Many of them tell reporters they've made complaints directly to Transport Canada -- and there's been no response.

Specifically, Avella and company accused Jazz of cutting corners on maintenance and repair procedures in order to avoid expensive flight delays. They also say some mechanical work performed violates regulations.

According to the suspended mechanics, a Jazz flight takes off with a known defect once a week. And when a mechanic refuses to release a plane with such a mechanical problem, the four say supervisors simply find another mechanic willing to sign off on the aircraft.

Avella, Anastas... Anstey and Ballestrin weren't the only four to talk with reporters about these allegations. In fact... about a dozen others have been chatting it up with reporters over the past three months. Those four were the only ones who okayed the use of their names.

FMI: www.flyjazz.ca/english/index.asp