This will probably ignite a firestorm of debate about the wisdom of crew reductions, antiquated union rules, and "featherbedding," but I see this tragic incident as the direct result of trying to wring the maximum amount of productivity out of an employee and it finally reaching its breaking point.

The phenomena of crews being reduced in size while having more and more work heaped upon them was described best by a rail when he said, "It's like trying to squeeze ten pounds of potatos into an eight pound sack."