ALPA–I calls on President Obama to implement fatigue rules

06 October 2011       IFALPA Daily news

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), joined more than 100 members of Congress today in calling on President Barack Obama to ensure that U.S. airline pilots are adequately rested to safely perform their jobs by directing the appropriate government agencies to immediately issue standardized flight- and duty-time limits and minimum rest requirements for flight crews. “Despite the two months that have passed since the deadline set by Congress, the new science-based pilot fatigue regulations remain stalled in bureaucratic review,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. “This delay is unconscionable, considering the risk that exists for U.S. troops, airline passengers, and cargo shippers who rely on safe air transportation.” ALPA emphasizes that the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee addressing airline pilot flight- and duty-time limits included representatives from all types of flight operations–domestic, international, regional, and supplemental. Every segment of the industry had a voice in the process that created a recommended science-based regulation to provide one level of safety for all Part 121 operations. “Given the historic collaboration and compelling science behind these new regulations, President Obama must safeguard air transportation by directing the swift release of a final standardized rule,” said Capt. Moak. “With the safety of the traveling public at stake, it is simply impossible to justify anything less than immediate action.”