FAA Chief Urges Airlines, Pilot Unions To Put Safety Before Labor Issues

Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Bobby Sturgell called for a truce between airlines and pilot unions last week, asking for the preservation of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and reminding both sides that passengers' safety is in everyone's best interest.

A voluntary program, ASAP is designed to encourage pilots to report safety issues and mistakes before accidents happen. However, incidences of alleged retaliation by airlines against pilots who did report problems have led to the breakdown of the system, the Associated Press reported.

"Using safety as a chip at the bargaining table is unconscionable," Sturgell (right) said December 17. To date, four major airlines -- Delta, Comair, American, and US Airways -- have dropped out of ASAP because of disputes and lack of trust between airlines and pilot unions.

"It's in everyone's best interest to separate safety from labor issues," Sturgell said. "When pilot unions and airlines choose to hide safety information, they put passengers in jeopardy."

Earlier this year, the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association initiated the similar Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP), designed to foster a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for the open reporting of safety of flight concerns by air traffic controllers, with maintenance workers to be included in the future.

FMI: www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/aircraft_aviation/asap