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Senate panel increases pressure on FAA’s fatigue solution

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diggertwo

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Posts
65
http://www.pilotbug.com/?p=1735

WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a letter to FAA Administrator Randolph (Randy) Babbitt, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined together along with Senators Snowe, Kerry, Klobuchar, Lautenberg, Thune, Begich, and Johanns and wrote that the issue of pilot fatigue must be addressed.
Today, FAA Administrator Babbitt testified before the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee today at a hearing on Aviation Safety: Oversight of FAA Safety Initiatives.

The letter sent reads:

Dear Administrator Babbitt,

Aviation safety is the top priority for the Aviation Subcommittee, and we know this view is shared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). We look forward to your upcoming testimony at our hearing on FAA’s safety initiatives.


One of the topics we plan to address at the hearing is pilot fatigue. The subcommittee recently held a hearing to examine this issue, which has been on the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Most Wanted List for 19 years. The current FAA guidelines on flight time and duty limitations were set back in the 1940s. It is critical that the FAA revise these rules as quickly as possible.


Although we appreciate the commitment you made in August to update these regulations, it was troubling to learn from the FAA at the hearing last week that the time frame for completing this process has already been delayed. We expect the FAA to consider this issue a priority and to keep on a timeline that will update the regulations without more delay.


We look forward to discussing this and other important safety concerns at the hearing.
 
I wonder what the average airline day was back in the 1940's? I bet all the airplanes and cockpits were made of metal and wood.

Jer
 
The good ole days

I wonder what the average airline day was back in the 1940's? I bet all the airplanes and cockpits were made of metal and wood.

Jer
Read Gann, Faith is the Hunter, Buck North Star over my Shoulder. They had it a lot worse than today.
 
They complained just as much, they just didn't have the ability to share their bitches with the world via the interwebs...
 
I bet they worked harder and complained less back then. No autopilot, no gps, no radar. . .

Yeah, but they weren't hauling around 150-200 passengers and there were A LOT more accidents. Also, I don't think the FAA was ALL over those guys like they are today. You guys are comparing Apples and Oranges.
 
I bet they had a few less stress issues being able to pay for stuff!!! Oh and that Pension thing too would have been nice to have!
 
Ok-
I'm sure you'll have some spin- but I'll be the first to say it-

this wouldn't be an issue getting addressed under a republican senate.
 
Yeah, but they weren't hauling around 150-200 passengers and there were A LOT more accidents. Also, I don't think the FAA was ALL over those guys like they are today. You guys are comparing Apples and Oranges.

Well the FAA was definitely Not all over those guys back in the 40s and most of the 50s, as the FAA was not created until 1958. Quite ironically, after a very disturbing string of accidents created the call for a Gov't agency 'dedicated to regulation of safety'

Funny, What happen to that 'Agency'?????

maybe it is just today's 'politics and regulation' by Special interest, but the FAA take Tooooooooo Longgggg to ACT on anything, and usually comes down on the side of 'special interest' (eg usually the ATA). OK, so politics and gov't as usual, Today. Nevermind.

PD
 
No, Democratic Senators were to busy addressing Airline Deregulation in 1978. Keep up the good work.

De-regulation did occur in 1978, and yes it was a Democratic effort, however the truly bad effects did not commence untill the 80's, ie; massive failures of several majors, the controllers strike, and most of the labor protective provisions that were passed along with de-regulation being negated. Very bad descisions from both sides of the isle.
 
Ok-
I'm sure you'll have some spin- but I'll be the first to say it-

this wouldn't be an issue getting addressed under a republican senate.

Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined together along with Senators Snowe,Thune

Some of the others may be Republicans also but those are the ones I recognize.
 
Committee chairs decide the agenda-the R's are on the committee, participating in an agenda already set.
 
Committee chairs decide the agenda-the R's are on the committee, participating in an agenda already set.

But I'm pretty sure they didn't point a gun to their head and force them to sign that letter to the FAA.

So if they signed their names to the letter, then they are in favor of it.

Stop trying to distort the truth with your agenda.
 
Can we please stop pretending republicans have been good to airline pilots?

If you don't like your pay- or work rules- stare in the mirror and ask how you voted in your life-

R/D/I, doesn't matter- have you voted for people that support our unions?
That's my agenda. To stop having thousands of pilots working their butt off to make a few executives wealthy. Sorry if you don't like my agenda.
 
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How come?

Can we please stop pretending republicans have been good to airline pilots?

If you don't like your pay- or work rules- stare in the mirror and ask how you voted in your life-

R/D/I, doesn't matter- have you voted for people that support our unions?
That's my agenda. To stop having thousands of pilots working their butt off to make a few executives wealthy. Sorry if you don't like my agenda.
How come all the unhappy pilots don't get together and start the perfect airline from an employee point of view? Many pilots are very well off; they could start buying the stock of airline until they had complete ownership. Then vote themselves on the board, hire a really pilot friendly CEO and build the perfect place to work. This would seem to solve all the problems pilot face in this industry. BTW Please PM with which airline you guys are planning on buying, I will get in on the action, I could buy in low and then sell later as demand drives up the price.
 
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In any case, signed letters with return address to your elected representatives do have an effect. I know that in this case they feel you will follow the issue, observe their actions in regard and vote accordingly. You should also request a reply and follow up with phone calls to their office. I also know most elected representatives that constituents who take the time to follow these actions WILL vote and I suspect that most of them abhor the thought of having to get a real job.
 
From a management and employee relations- it already exists- WN. Remained profitable, efficient. Well paying and a 30 + year history of management keeping their promises. Haven't been opportunistic when "industry standard" significantly decreased for the 73. Did not use airline economic leverage to extract concessions and then give themselves bonuses. Therefore the government never got to influence their employee business. Explain bankruptcy judges granting UAL executives 15% of the company after emerging. Explain the ATSB denying UAL a loan guarantee after approving all those other airlines. Explain the NMB not approving a strike at UPS. Not approving a strike at Great Lakes- even though they voted in favor of it 93% and had the worst 1900 pay by almost half.

Dems don't go out of their way to help us- they just don't take an active role in screwing us.

Again- can we stop pretending republicans have been good to us.
 
Dems don't go out of their way to help us- they just don't take an active role in screwing us.

Again- can we stop pretending republicans have been good to us.

Dems may be more labor friendly, but any gains we could get negotiating during a labor friendly government will be wiped out by higher taxes. Health care and capntrade, if passed, will dramatically raise taxes.
 
Anyone remember the ultra pro-labour gov't of England from 1945 to 1976. In fact it was called the Labour Party. If so, can anyone answer what type of world wide Economic Power England was from 1945-1976?
 
From a management and employee relations- it already exists- WN. Remained profitable, efficient. Well paying and a 30 + year history of management keeping their promises. Haven't been opportunistic when "industry standard" significantly decreased for the 73. Did not use airline economic leverage to extract concessions and then give themselves bonuses. Therefore the government never got to influence their employee business. Explain bankruptcy judges granting UAL executives 15% of the company after emerging. Explain the ATSB denying UAL a loan guarantee after approving all those other airlines. Explain the NMB not approving a strike at UPS. Not approving a strike at Great Lakes- even though they voted in favor of it 93% and had the worst 1900 pay by almost half.

Dems don't go out of their way to help us- they just don't take an active role in screwing us.

Again- can we stop pretending republicans have been good to us.


Got a news flash for you, the vast majority of airline pilot's who belong to a union are republicans and wouldn't vote for a democrat at gunpoint. Unions have survived and thrived under countless republican presidents and congress'. Get over it.
 

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