Disney’s monorail procedures changed in years leading up to accident
Walt Disney World now requires drivers, when switching off the resort’s Epcot loop, to operate their trains from twin controls in the rear cab. This policy change comes as a result of the pilot in last weekend’s monorail collision remaining in the front cab, while attempting to make the loop switch.
The Orlando Sentinel spoke with former monorail pilots, who stated that this new policy was once the standard procedure but changed to save time. No one could pinpoint the time frame as to when this policy change occurred. Per those pilots interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, though, the procedure the pilot followed in last Sunday’s crash has become common during the past decade.
The process of switching tracks requires the monorail pilots to manually override the automated anti-collision systems on the trains. Without this computer assisted system, pilots thus must remain extremely vigulant and cautious during the track switching operation.
Disney would not comment to the Orlando Sentinel as to why the procedure changed over the years.
The publication did receive the opinion of two monorail pilots that worked at the resort within the past five years. They believe the change occurred to ferry guests quicker along the Epcot loop.
3 Disney World monorail employees on paid leave during deadly crash investigation
Updating an earlier report from WESH 2 News, Walt Disney World has placed three Disney World monorail employees, who were working during the Sunday 2am accident, on paid leave, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
WESH 2 News quickly updated the earlier article of two Disney employees on unpaid disciplinary leave, to reflect the statements coming from Disney spokespeople.
The Orlando Sentinel quotes Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty as stating that’s it’s “part of the investigative process” and “not a disciplinary action.”
This now calls into doubt this “source inside Disney” that WESH 2 News had cited earlier. WESH 2 News reporting style has already come under fire from some Disney Cast Members over how the news outlet showed a recreation of the monorail crash. (See Disney Cast Members express outrage over TV monorail crash re-creations using children’s toys)
Disney declined to release the names of the employees on leave. They did state that it was a monorail pilot, a worker in the monorail’s maintenance shop, and a transportation manager. When the accident occurred, these three had crucial responsibilities in two train monorail operation.
