Cabotage Alert!!!

[Mr.Breeze]

We all agree that this form of cabotage, if it were to be passed, could be detrimental to our careers. And although not an ALPA guy myself, I'm in the trenches (so to speak) with all of you. And will write all the letters I can to stop it should it again come up for a vote.

What I don't understand though, is that in light of the potential hijacking threats from foriegn based airlines, why would such legislation would even be considered? Has anyone brought THAT up in their letters to the powers that be?

Isn't it a little ironic, or rather MORONIC, that on one hand we are worried about someone hijacking a cargo plane from outside the U.S. and yet some folks in the gov't think it's perfectly OK for foreign carriers to have free reign? Okay, I realize there are already several foreign carriers entering our skies everyday, but they terminate at a given Int'l airport and that's that. Am I missing something here? Could someone please explain the logic?

 

[Vikingpilot]

From the union..."This afternoon’s Senate vote to end debate on the FAA Reauthorization Bill failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to pass. This means that debate on the bill in the Senate will continue and no vote on the bill itself will be taken at the current time. Thanks to all members who took the time to contact their senators on the cabotage provision this bill contains – your input obviously had a positive effect on today’s vote. Tennessee Senator Bill Frist, at the last minute, changed his vote from yes to no in order to be able to bring the issue up again for reconsideration. Therefore, we need all members to continue to contact their senators now as it is highly possible this will resurface tomorrow."

Keep the pressure on!

 

[skytrain]

Can you believe it?

I was watching the motion for cloture yesterday afternoon, and it appeared it was going to be voted on by pure party line. But at the last minute, Sen. Frisk entered the floor and voted NO! He's the majority leader and yet voted no? Someone got to him, and I think part of that responsibility was the outpouring of negative emails and phone calls made to his office and other Senators re: the "Cabotage" provision. I think the Republican Senators realize that they'll lose a portion of their voting block if they allow H.R. 2115 to pass in it's present form. Maybe this Democracy thing does work. But keep in mind: "The Fat Lady hasn't finished singing yet." We have to maintain diligence on this one and stay in contact with our respective Senators regarding this Bill.

 

[t38dude]

Not sure why Sen. Frisk voted no on cloture yesterday. But, I just sent an e-mail to thank him and asked for his support in removing the cabotage amendment. I called and e-mailed his office last week as well. Lets keep the pressure on!

t38dude

 

[Icebergclub]

My emails are out. Letters to follow..........

Here is an excerpt from Brian Baird:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Century of Aviation
Authorization Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this important
issue.

On October 30, 2003, I voted against the FAA Conference report, which
contains a number of troubling provisions including the possible
privatization of airport control towers, elimination of a flight
attendant
security plan and allowing foreign cargo service to operate within our
domestic airport network. The bill passed the House by a vote of
211-207
and awaits action in the Senate.

The events of September 11th highlighted the need for a strong air
traffic
control system. From the initial shutdown of the system on that
terrible
day, to the reinstatement of air traffic service, the nation's FAA
aviation specialists were there to ensure the highest level of safety.
In
addition, world-wide there is no existing successful model for private
air
traffic control. In fact, current private systems have been found to
be
more costly, less efficient, and less productive than the U.S. system.
Most important, when it comes to flying, I want safety to be the number
one concern - not a company's bottom line.

Regarding flight attendant training, since September 11, 2001, Congress
has passed numerous laws to reassure the traveling public that air
travel
is safe. One of those laws allows pilots to carry weapons and another
significantly increased the number of armed air marshals on flights.
However, two years have passed and still the Transportation Security
Agency (TSA) has not issued security training regulations for flight
attendants. While the TSA developed the training for Federal Flight
Deck
Officers (FFDO) and for the initial air marshal program, flight
attendants
still remain without a certified TSA training program. I believe
coordination between pilots, flight attendants and air marshals is
crucial
if faced with a terrorist threat.

Lastly, the new conference report makes no changes in the so called
"cabatoge" issue allowing foreign airlines to carry cargo between
cities
in Alaska and other cities in the U.S., policies that have been used
both
for national security and competition. This provision potentially
jeopardizes the security of our country and will surely take jobs away
from United States airlines and their employees. In a time of economic
stagnation, we should not exacerbate our unemployment problems in the
United States by exporting American jobs overseas.

Thank you again for writing to express your views on this issue. In
the
future, you may find it helpful to visit my Congressional website at
www.house.gov/baird for more information about my activities in the
District and issues of importance to you. Please also be aware that
all
incoming postal mail to my Washington, DC office may encounter delays
of
eight to eleven business days because of increased security
precautions.
As a result, contacting me by email on my website may help to expedite
my
response to your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me again
if
I may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,



Brian Baird
Member of Congress

 

[Vikingpilot]

Here is another sample letter that I faxed to both Maryland senators. By the way, I called first, disscussed the issues with the staffer and then ask if I could fax a letter. Both of the staffers appreicated this info. I used some material from Albie15 and the union but focused on the security issues as opposed to jobs. Feel fee to use or lose...

"Dear Senator ,
I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose passage of the Conference Report on the FAA Reauthorization Bill, H.R. 2115, in its present form. While the Bill contains authorization for many necessary programs to modernize and upgrade our nation’s air transportation system, it includes a specific provision on cargo cabotage that I as a concerned American citizen for homeland security strongly oppose.

Longstanding U.S. law and policy on cabotage requires that the transportation of passengers and cargo in domestic markets be done on U.S. air carriers. This provision, if passed would allow foreign airlines to carry cargo between an Alaskan gateway airport, presumably Anchorage, and another U.S. airport provided that the cargo was being shipped internationally into or out of Alaska. For example, it would allow Air China, the national carrier for the People’s Republic of China, to pick up cargo brought into Anchorage from Tokyo by Northwest Airlines and transport it to New York or any other American city.

Cabotage is a direct threat to our national security as we expose our American skies to less stringently regulated foreign pilots and aircraft. It is unrealistic to assume there is any way to completely regulate or screen pilots from other countries, and the idea of more pilots from other parts of the world greatly increases the risk to our national security in another 9/11 type tragedy. Not to mention the increased likelihood of a foreign aircraft being hijacked by a terrorist group and used as a weapon of mass destruction. Do we really want our nation's air commerce flown by the lowest bidder without regulated security protocols, by marginally qualified, unscreened pilots from other third world nations? Will Americans sleep better at night wondering who is flying over their cities, homes, and churches at 2:00AM?

As you have most recently been made aware, potential terrorist attacks with the use of cargo aircraft as weapons of mass destruction are now threatening our nation.

There are many excellent facets to the FAA Reauthorization Bill that I fully support. However, this single destructive provision is truly a threat to both our national security and the livelihood of many of your staunchest supporters. Please, I most profoundly urge you to remove this provision in H.R. 2115 and champion against this irresponsible legislation. Thank you for your concern in this matter and representing this great nation.

Sincerley,

 

[pipejockey]

Any Idea what a New Jersey resident can do. Both my Senators are democrats. Corzine, and Lautenberg. And both of them oppose the reauthorization bill.

 

[TonyC]

RE: What can I do?

Any Idea what a New Jersey resident can do. Both my Senators are democrats. Corzine, and Lautenberg. And both of them oppose the reauthorization bill.

Write 'em anyway - - make sure they don't change their minds.

And write/call/e-mail/fax the Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist (R-TN) He controls the voting.

 

[Sniper@YourFeet]

bump.

Why is this even off the first page?!