APA Criticizes American Airline Lawsuit Against FAA’s 'Enhanced' Crew-Rest Rules | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.22.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.16.24

Airborne-FlightTraining-04.17.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-04.18.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.19.24

Join Us At 0900ET, Friday, 4/10, for the LIVE Morning Brief.
Watch It LIVE at
www.airborne-live.net

Wed, Jan 07, 2009

APA Criticizes American Airline Lawsuit Against FAA’s 'Enhanced' Crew-Rest Rules

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 11,500 pilots of American Airlines, termed “unconscionable” American Airlines’ lawsuit opposing enhanced crew-rest and other safety requirements recently enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). American Airlines filed the lawsuit jointly with several other carriers.

“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,” said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. “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,” he said. “In the exacting world of commercial aviation, we must do all we can to combat the dangers posed by fatigue.”

Hill noted that APA has been a longtime proponent of updating airline pilot flying, duty and rest limitations to combat pilot fatigue and enhance safety. International flight and duty rules pre-date the modern jet age, long before the advent of ultra-long-haul flying such as American Airlines’ Chicago-Delhi service using extended-range Boeing 777s. APA, American Airlines management and various other industry stakeholders participated in the FAA-convened working group that crafted the new rules the carriers are seeking to circumvent.

“The new FAA rules are based on a greatly improved scientific understanding of the effects of fatigue on human performance,” Hill said. “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,” he said.

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association—the largest independent pilot union in the U.S.—is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 11,500 pilots of American Airlines, including 1,969 pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. American Airlines is the nation’s second-largest passenger carrier and fifth-largest cargo carrier.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.24.24): Runway Lead-in Light System

Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.24.24)

Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]

Aero-FAQ: Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories -- ITBOA BNITBOB

Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Best Seat in The House -- 'Inside' The AeroShell Aerobatic Team

From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 04.18.24: CarbonCub UL, Fisher, Affordable Flyer Expo

Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC