Several of the U.S Major airlines joined in a petition against the FAA's plan to increase crew rest requirements for long haul flights longer than 16 hours.
The airlines, including American, Continental, United, U.S Air, and Jet Blue, claim that the new rest requirements will impose a high financial burden on them, yet they did not get a chance to comment when the FAA planned the new rules. They believe that the FAA should have involved them in the process in order to investigate the need for more crew rest using expert opinions. By following an established and proven rulemaking process, the FAA can make the best-informed decision possible
, said American Airlines spokesman, Tim Wagner. By asking for comment, the FAA will receive comments from all interested parties concerning their proposed rule, including experts within the fields of fatigue and rest, aircraft manufacturers, unions representing crewmembers, carriers themselves and members of the general public.
Delta Airlines, which is the world's largest carrier, did not participate in the lawsuit and agreed to more crew rest on its long haul flights.
American Airlines pilot union is unhappy with their management's attempt to block the new rule. Lloyd Hill, president of the Allied Pilots Association wrote the following statement found on AP:
The National Transportation Safety Board has identified as one of its 'most wanted transportation safety improvements' the reduction of aviation accidents and incidents caused by human fatigue.
American Airlines management's effort to block new crew-rest rules that are designed to reduce the well-established safety risks associated with pilot fatigue is nothing short of unconscionable. We cannot fathom their rationale.
Numerous scientific studies have compared the fatigue induced by periods of prolonged wakefulness to the debilitating effects of intoxication. In the exacting world of commercial aviation, we must do all we can to combat the dangers posed by fatigue. ...
The new FAA rules are based on a greatly improved scientific understanding of the effects of fatigue on human performance. Although we would like to see the FAA take a more aggressive stance on pilot fatigue, we consider the new rules to be a step in the right direction.
American Airlines management's resistance to common-sense measures designed to enhance the margin of safety is yet another example of short-sighted decision-making. Cost-cutting should never take precedence over safety.
Comments (1)
flight trainingprograms:
Sep 22, 2011 at 01:30 AM
Yes I agree with American Airlines spokesmen that the FAA should have involved them in the process in order to investigate the need for more crew rest using expert opinions. Thanks to the publisher of this resource for providing me such type of interesting details.
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