Pilots' right to privacy needs waiving

I carry some emotional wounds that were ripped open anew by the Germanwings tragedy. My cousin and his wife were killed on EgyptAir flight 990 on Oct 31, 1999, which is believed to have been another "aircraft assisted suicide"; as investigators concluded the "probable cause" of the crash was deliberate action by the relief first officer.

What can be done to prevent such tragedies happening again? Precious little, but not nothing.

As you read this, salivating tort lawyers are no doubt preparing lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages for which they will have to prove Germanwings' negligence; that the airline knew or should have known Andreas Lubitz was a ticking psychological time bomb. Their job will be easier because the airline knew as early as 2009 that Lubitz suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies. Unfortunately mental illness is an inexact science and all airlines rely on periodic physical exams that touch lightly on psychological issues and rely on pilot self-reporting, a classic case of conflict-of-interests as admitting mental health issues will likely cost pilots their jobs.