Best analysis, yet, of JetBlue Capt. Osbon's behavior...

[truth2power]

This goes along with what I've thought from the beginning: some physiological process going on.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57406340/what-led-to-jetblue-pilots-midair-meltdown/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Watch the video...

What Led to JetBlue Pilot's Midair Meltdown?

CBS News, Charlie Rose interview with Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, chief of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Dr. Lieberman's "guess" <not having examined the patient> is that the behavior points to one of two causes: "a neurological event compromised his brain function" - tumor, mini-stroke, seizure, infection. Or "intoxication by substances" i.e. Osbon was selling diet supplement. Diet supplements tamper with brain chemistry. Was he self-medicating?

Dr. Lieberman points to what was described as Osbon "foaming at the mouth" as "stigmata" <sign> of an organic process. Also, Osbon was described as suffering from hyperacusis - sensitivity to noise.

Tactile discomfort, i.e., the Capt. running down the aisle saying he had to splash water on his face, points to drug intoxication or some sort of neurologic event.

Dr. Lieberman says it won't be difficult to find the cause: blood tests and brain scan will tell.

Given the above: I am appalled that the Feds have already charged him with a federal crime - before even knowing what caused the incident. If this does turn out to be a medical issue, then he is no more guilty of a crime than if someone has a heart attack and is the focus of ensuing chaos.

If someone understands the legalities of this, please let me know.

[MrScorpio]

1. The Feds have a simple approach for anyone who tries to take over a plane...

[truth2power]

10. Cute kitty! But I'm not sure what your stance is on this...

How can you punish someone for something that's not their fault?

[MrScorpio]

14. Me? My opinion is that, if he had a medical emergency, that should be taken into consideration

I'm a bit more understanding than the Federal Government.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. When I first heard about this, I thought "brain tumor" right away.

Really the best outcome for this guy would be for it to turn out he had extremely low blood sugar that day causing his brain to flip out or something like a benign but easily removed brain tumor causing it, something easily reversible where he could potentially resume his work as a pilot.

If they don't find anything that would be bad for him, nothing to diagnose or treat means he'd almost certainly be through as a pilot, and that it might be the initial manifestations of schizophrenia or something.

[librechik]

8. me too--noise sensitivity too

I hope he's got good lawyers

[truth2power]

11. Onset of Schizophrenia tends to be in the early to mid-20's. Not likely in this case,

and the symptoms don't bear it out.

[randome]

3. I agree, it seems a waste of time and energy to charge him with a crime...

...without first checking out what appear to be medical symptoms of some kind.

Zero tolerance and over-reaction is never the right answer.

[liberalhistorian]

4. Exactly right.

He HAD to have had some kind of mental or medical breakdown, no one in their right mind and body, especially a professional pilot,would do something like that without a medical or mental reason. His noise sensitivity and needing water on his face alone are strong enough signs. I am truly appalled and disgusted that the PTB didn't even wait to find out what was really going on with him before charging him. My hope is that, when the medical/mental cause is found, he has sufficient legal counsel to be able to challenge the charges on that basis.

Some other expert suggested the other day that it might also be a manifestation of PTSD, after worrying so much about terrorism and if it's gonna happen on that flight, which so many flight professionals so and which is understandable.

[truth2power]

13. He has no history, as far as anyone knows, of this kind of erratic behavior....

That should be added to the mix, too.

[FSogol]

5. The story was first reported as a medical emergency, right?

Probably true.

[truth2power]

7. I saw an interview with the CEO of JetBlue, the next day, I think, and

he said it's protocol that these sorts of incidents are described as "a medical issue". It's not that they think it's either medical or psychological.

The CEO (can't remember his name) indicated that the public will hear nothing more from JetBlue about Capt. Osbon's condition, because of the HIPPA regulations.

[Hawkowl]

6. Stupid charges

How can the Feds charge the Captain with trying to take over the plane, when Federal law insists he have control of the plane? If Kafka was alive today he couldn't make shit up like this.

[jberryhill]

9. Incapacity Is a Defense - that is to be raised later

Whether someone was acting involuntarily is a defense to a charge.

There is no question that he engaged in the behavior constituting the crime charged. The speculation of someone who has not examined him doesn't have anything to do with that.

If substantial evidence of incapacity arises later, then either the prosecuting attorney makes a decision about whether to proceed, and drops it; or it goes to trial and it is presented as a defense.

But there is no reason not to charge him.

[truth2power]

12. Thanks. I understand that until there's a definitive diagnosis no one can say

for sure.

I hope there's some way to find out what process was going on. Just curiosity if nothing else.

[malaise]

15. I too was shocked that he was charged with a federal crime

It sure sounded like a medical event