Air France pilots tell management like it is concerning AF447

Air France's letter to its pilots telling them essentially to move on and not get involved in the AF447 blame-game has not gone down well. The biggest of the pilots unions there, SNPL, issued this response under the heading An Unacceptable Letter. It's my translation - feel free to offer alternatives.

The SNPL ALPA Air France, like all pilots of Air France was shocked by the letter to pilots by the Director of Flight Operations and Safety Director.
 
This letter is unacceptable because it suggests, in a denial of reality, the sole responsibility of the situation described lies with the pilots.

In an amalgamation between the AF447 accident and certain operational incidents, the management of Air France calls into question the professionalism and sense of responsibility of Air France line pilots, making them scapegoats .

This letter crystallizes the pilots' loss of confidence in the management of their company, and particularly to the authors of the letter and those who approved it.

In pointing only to the line pilots, the management demonstrates its inability and unwillingness to accept any challenge.

The SNPL had demanded this overall questioning in the aftermath of AF447 by calling for an external audit.  The management of Air France responded positively to our request in early September 2009.

In view of the autism of the Air France management as evidenced by this letter, SNPL Air France insists that the audit is begun as soon as possible. Furthermore, SNPL Air France demands to take part in this audit to assure itself that it examines all the services and modes of operation related to flight safety.