Carriers Want Formal Public Review Ahead Of Implementation
A cooperative effort between pilots and the FAA to extend
guidelines for rest periods following long haul commercial airline
flights has drawn the ire of several US carriers.
Tulsa World reports the FAA unilaterally imposed extended rest
period guidelines for pilots on certain international routes last
fall. The new regs -- requiring longer rest periods for pilots
flying more than 16 consecutive hours -- came after negotiations
with Delta Air Lines two years ago over a proposed route from New
York JFK to Mumbai, India.
"Delta came to the FAA planning to fly JFK to Mumbai -- more
than 16 hours -- with four pilots," said FAA spokeswoman Alison
Duquette. "Delta gave the pilots a 24-hour rest before the flight,
a 48-hour rest after the flight, and in-flight they had rotated
rest periods."
The FAA thought that was a sensible plan, one that other
airlines flying long-haul routes should also adhere to... but other
US carriers don't necessarily agree.
American Airlines and Continental Airlines have joined forces to
require the FAA follow the standard process to implement the new
guidelines, including time for a public comment period. The two
carriers recently filed a joint lawsuit in the US Court of Appeals
against the FAA to block the new regulations. JetBlue, United and
US Airways also signed onto the suit.
Mindful of how a court case against safety regulations looks in
the court of public opinion, American took pains to say the airline
isn't opposed to rules to make flying safer... but rather, that the
FAA should follow the correct process before changing the law.
"The safety of our employees and customers is -- and always will
be -- American Airlines' highest priority," the Fort Worth,
TX-based carrier said in a written statement. "That includes flying
long international routes, which we have done safely and
consistently for years under existing FAA regulations. The
collective opposition by this group of carriers ... to the FAA's
imposition of long-haul flying rules reinforces this commitment to
safety. By following an established and proven rulemaking process,
the FAA can make the best-informed decision possible."
Duquette says the agency already made its decision, and did so
within its rights. "We have authority to take a common-sense
approach and work with the airlines if we see scientific evidence
that supports their proposal..." she said. "We thought the Delta
program worked very well to mitigate fatigue for flight crews."
As ANN reported Wednesday, the Allied Pilots
Association -- the pilots union at American, and one consistently
at odds with airline management -- isn't afraid to play the safety
card in questioning why American is opposed to the rule being
implemented now.
"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
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," Hill continued. "In the exacting world of commercial
aviation, we must do all we can to combat the dangers posed by
fatigue."
For its part, Delta has remained quiet about the conflagration
resulting from its original request.
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