The widely anticipated release of the cockpit voice transcript for Continental Connection 3407 happens today at a hearing in Washington, DC. The plane went down on approach to Buffalo Niagara International the night of February 12th, killing all 49 onboard and one on the ground.
 
While the exact contents of the recordings have not yet been disclosed, one investigator anonymously told the New York Times the recording reveals the pilots', quote - "...heads weren't in the game."
 
The crew was based in Newark, New Jersey, but 24-year-old First Officer Rebecca Shaw lived in Washington State. Sources familiar with the cockpit recordings say she was complaining of feeling congested after taking a long red-eye flight to work from Seattle that morning, and reflecting that she should have called in sick, among other idle banter which violated the sterile cockpit rule on approach below 10-thousand feet.
 
It has been learned that 47-year-old Captain Marvin Renslow failed five previous check rides in his career.
 
The Wall Street Journal reports Colgan Air, the division of Pinnacle that was operating Flight 3407, recently removed several of its check airmen, saying it does that from time to time if they fail, quote - "to perform to the company's high standards."

All in all, today could get interesting. We'll keep you posted.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov