Release #12.10
March 6, 2012

NSF Sleep Study: Still More Reason to Apply Fatigue Rule to Cargo Pilots

WASHINGTON – Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), released the following statement regarding the National Sleep Foundation’s 2012 “Sleep in America” poll results.

“The National Sleep Foundation’s 2012 ‘Sleep in America’ poll vividly illustrates the risk posed by fatigue among transportation workers and the particular challenges that airline pilots face in delivering on their commitment to achieving the highest standards of safety.

“With the release last December of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new science-based flight- and duty-time regulations and minimum rest requirements, airline pilots who fly passengers became far better positioned to receive the rest they need to perform their jobs safely. Of grave concern, however, is that the regulation excluded pilots who fly cargo from these safety regulations due to concerns about cost to their airlines. ALPA’s adamant position is that, regardless of whether the pilot flies passengers or cargo, all airline pilots are human beings and deserve equal protection from fatigue under FAA regulations.

“The National Sleep Foundation poll is the latest evidence of the serious risk. ALPA respectfully urges the Administration to heed this latest poll—and the compelling and conclusive science that preceded it—and bring cargo pilots under the new pilot fatigue rules. Given the risk we know exists, this is no time to rest in the pursuit of safety.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org