The stand-off between the Luxair management and its pilot association (ALPL) is indicative of a mistrust between the parties (Flight International, 16-22 December 2003)
The airlines I know that are successful in using flight data recorder management have a check and balance system in place. This is provided by involvement of the pilot association in any follow-up procedure to data recorder findings. That is a necessity to pre-empt any arbitrary use of findings. This does not protect colleagues from repercussions in cases of negligence. Privacy is not absolute.
Let's face it. It is easier to fire the crew involved rather than to correct the system. It happens and sometimes becomes visible in this and other publications. (You report that Luxair staff were "removed from office".) A system change would typically require changes to manuals, training curriculum or modification of equipment, any of which is money and energy consuming. Operation managers might have difficulty explaining this to their superiors.
The mistrust displayed between pilots and management of Luxair indicates a problem just as big as does the banning of Flash Airlines in Switzerland.
Anders Hanson Pilot association representative to SAS flight recorder group, Sweden
Source: Flight International