suupah
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September 8, 2009
For Immediate Release
Continental Pilots Call for Revised Fatigue, Sick-Call Policies for Fellow Pilots at Colgan, Pinnacle
HOUSTON, TEXAS---The Continental pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA), are supporting the efforts of their fellow pilots at Colgan and Pinnacle to get management to re-examine their fatigue and sick-call policies. A recent article in The Buffalo News (Colgan pilots say many felt pressure to work while ill, Sept. 6, 2009) highlights the issue.
Capt. Jay Pierce, chairman of the ALPA unit representing Continental pilots, says, “The rules of the FAA and just plain common sense are clear on the issues of fatigue and illness – you don’t fly when you’re not fully rested or when you’re sick. As captains and first officers, we’re responsible for the safety of the flight and our passengers. Pilots must be allowed to make the critical decision to fly or not fly, without fear of losing pay, their jobs or facing discipline.”
ALPA represents nearly 53,500 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the approximately 5,000 pilots at Continental Airlines. There are currently 147 pilots on furlough from Continental. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org.