Sat, Apr 23, 2011
Moak Agrees Cargo Pilots Should Not Be Exempt
In a recent public statement, NTSB Chair Deborah A.P. Hersman
said that the crews of cargo planes should not be exempt from new
rules governing crew rest. That position drew a supportive response
from ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak Thursday.
Capt. Lee Moak
“The Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines, and
airline labor have mounted a supreme effort to break through the
roadblock that has stalled modernization of flight- and duty-time
regulations and minimum rest requirements for airline pilots for
more than five decades," Moak said. “Together, we have
created a proposal for modern, science-based regulations that
reflect today’s operating environment while providing
airlines with scheduling flexibility and giving pilots the
opportunity to get the rest they need to deliver on their
commitment to achieve the highest possible levels of safety.
“The public statement of unequivocal support for standard
regulations from the chairman of the National Transportation Safety
Board makes clear the opportunity we have to enhance safety in our
industry. In addition, it puts sharp new focus on the serious
threat posed to all who depend on air transportation by an
amendment that was included in the U.S. House FAA reauthorization
bill to exempt airline operations such as all-cargo carriers from
these science-based regulations.
“Conclusive science and common sense make it clear that
airline pilots’ bodies don’t consider whether their
plane is transporting pallets of cargo, military equipment or
troops, or commercial passengers when it comes to feeling fatigued.
All airline pilots are humans, and all airline operations must seek
to achieve the highest standards of safety.
“The Administration must act immediately to put in place
standardized flight- and duty-time regulations that apply to all
airline pilots. Our industry cannot put a price on safety, and cost
cannot be allowed to become a barrier to advancing it.”
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