I doubt it.
They certainly shouldn’t.
But who knows how this thing will unfold.

If anyone (airline, FAA, press…) buys the argument story. They should be grounded and on the streets for being so ignorant as to ignore where they were. And I don’t just mean where they were over the ground.

If it comes out that they admit they fell asleep. Then they should be grounded and on the streets for making up the BS argument story in the first place.

Their best bet would have been to admit to (or even make up that they did) falling asleep and subjecting the whole incident for pilot fatigue studies.
Making up a story about an argument, much less actually having one that took you so far off your responsibilities, are both grounds for dismissal in my book.

I just can not grasp that they missed their destination due to a heated debate over airline policy. Or anything for that matter. Talk about total complacency.
Even if you’re having a knock-down drag-out over it, you’re still awake and conscious of the fact that you are in charge of where you are and what you need to do. Sorry - I’m not buying the argument story.

If I had to bet, I’d for sure go with they fell asleep.
CVR might help solve it. Might not.
I’ve sat in a few FAA/Pilot “interrogations”. They can get pretty nasty.
I think one of these guys (probably the right seat.) will crack and admit they both fell asleep. At least I hope so.

If you were at a small table by the door of a quaint little restaurant, having the most heated debate with your worst enemy over anything. You’d still know where you were and what was around you. If not…Yikes. Hope you’re not a pilot.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Since these guys are not completely stupid, they must have known that the CVR would have erased the period in question.

My real question is whether they managed to concoct their story during the last 45 minutes of the flight..........and that would be the kiss of death for them if the tape is played.

However, if they sat there completely mum about the incident..........for the entire return ride back to Minneapolis...........when did they have the time to concoct their "argument" story?

This drama becomes more interesting by the minute...............

Same thing happened here, pilot and co-pilot on an interisland fell asleep and overshot Hilo airport with passengers wondering why the plane wasn't descending when over the island.

Meh, sometimes you make mistakes. That flat pattern looks like something I would do, maybe thats why I'm not a pilot.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
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2007 Tiara 3200

Cockpit voice recorder is on a re-recording loop, so they're not going to get much of the "heated debate" but they might get the "Okay, here's our story . . ." part, unless they did everything with hand signals and writing it down.

heard on the news tonight that that particular plane had the old style recorder that records in 30 minute loops ,so they might just luck out and get out of it.

Yep, if it's 30 minutes, they took at least 30 minutes to bring it down after they woke up.

Nobody can prove anything............thankfully for them.

Oh, I think getting into a "heated debate" and neglecting flight plans and ATC calls is going to be a trip to the woodshed that even their union is going to have a hard time saving their jobs.

No doubt..........but, they probably won't be fired because of it.

They are unionized. Doubtful they could get fired even if they killed a couple of passengers. They should be. I sure as hell won't want to fly on a flight if I know they are behind the wheel.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
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91 Vette with 383 motor
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You'd be mistaken. They've been fired before for similar activities. The NWA team that was drinking the night before the flight was fired.

IIRC, the SWA pilot that overran the runway at Burbank was fired.

The company just fires them............the union is left to attempt to reinstate them............it usually doesn't go well. In reality, this union won't attempt to coverup behavior that they agree is not professional.

But I thought the alcohol tests came back negative? In which case, it won't parallel the other case you mentioned.

Based on what I have seen some unions do, I doubt they won't try. I know a co-worker of the wife was fired for some missing narcotics. He confessed to forging a signature of another RN. Union fought for reinstatement and got it. Adopted father who was, is and probably will be a union man is also disgusted at some of the things the union fights for.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Actually, the worst punishment would be reassignment to some crappy, out of the way short haul routes. Can you say "landing cycles?"

Hilo to Maui............

Hilo to Kona