Release #11.02
January 26, 2011

ALPA Commends U.S. House Judiciary Committee Action to Make Laser Assaults on Aircraft a Federal Crime 

WASHINGTON–Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement after today’s unanimous action by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to report the Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011 (H.R. 386), a bill that would make shining a laser at an aircraft a federal crime. 

“The pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, welcome the Judiciary Committee’s unanimous action today to advance legislation that would make aiming a laser at an aircraft a federal crime. 

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the entire committee, and especially the leadership of Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) for introducing the bill, and for the vocal support of Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.).

“Earlier this week, the world’s largest pilots union issued a regulatory, legislative, and public awareness action plan to safeguard the skies from deliberate laser illumination of aircraft and the risk it poses to aviation. Making shining lasers at aircraft a federal crime is a critical element of ALPA’s action plan.

“Today’s bipartisan effort is a critical step forward in protecting all who depend on air transportation. We urge the U.S. House of Representatives to swiftly pass the Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

###

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