Release #09.073
October 5, 2009

ALPA Congratulates Mark Rosekind on NTSB Nomination

WASHINGTON – Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement on the nomination of Mark R. Rosekind to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

“The pilots of ALPA congratulate Dr. Rosekind on his nomination to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Board’s work is critical to the safety of U.S. air transportation and especially important as our industry now seeks to address complex issues such as pilot fatigue.

“For decades, ALPA has pressed to modernize flight- and duty-time regulations so that they reflect current science, apply to all sizes of aircraft operators and address passenger and all-cargo operators equally.

“Given Dr. Rosekind’s background in fatigue issues, we look forward to working with him as our industry moves toward achieving the goal of creating new duty and rest regulations. New regulations must address factors such as irregular shifts, multiple takeoffs and landings, time zone changes, and all-night operations.

“ALPA stands ready to work with the NTSB as it pursues its long-standing ‘Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvement’ of reducing accidents and incidents caused by human fatigue.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union, representing nearly 53,500 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada.

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Contact: Linda Shotwell, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org