As reported last week, the recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Public Hearing investigating the Colgan Air Flight 3407 accident brought to light a number of critical safety issues of long-standing interest to the Association. Among these are fatigue and flight/duty time concerns, scheduling practices, and general working conditions prevalent in the regional airline industry.

Although the NTSB investigation continues and ALPA’s party status precludes the Association from commenting, ALPA representatives continue to work with major media outlets around the country to highlight safety concerns. They are also reaching out to legislators.

On May 20, MEC Chairman Capt. Mark Segaloff and Government and Legislative Affairs Coordinator F/O Tom Cassidy accompanied ALPA Government Affairs Director Brendan Kenny and Engineering and Air Safety Director Keith Hagy to a meeting with Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio).

Boccieri, who serves on the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, queried ALPA representatives about training and hiring requirements, pay rates, and work rules at Colgan as well as throughout the regional sector of the industry. The Ohio representative expressed his appreciation for ALPA’s time in educating him about the broad differences between major and regional airline environments.

In addition to his meeting with ALPA, Rep. Boccieri sent a letter (http://boccieri.house.gov/2009/05/boccieri-demands-answers-on-february-plane-crash-near-buffalo.shtml) to Colgan management last week, inquiring about the airline’s current policies and practices in response to information that came out of the Colgan Flight 3407 NTSB hearing.

Other members of Congress have expressed interest in issues raised by the NTSB and have discussed possible public hearings.