Release #12.32
June 20, 2012

ALPA Urges Lawmakers to Apply FAA Rest Rules to All Airline Pilots
World’s Largest Pilot Union Relentless in Commitment to Advance One Level of Safety

WASHINGTON–This week, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), reached a significant milestone by marking 400 visits to Congressional lawmakers’ offices so far this year as part of an intensive education campaign focused on the critical importance of protecting all airline pilots equally against fatigue.

In addition, ALPA pilots have sent more than 2,600 messages to their elected representatives in strong support of the Safe Skies Act of 2012 (S. 3263 and H.R. 4350), which would enhance safety by applying the Federal Aviation Administration’s new flight- and duty-time limits and minimum rest requirements to all airline pilots, regardless of whether they carry passengers or cargo in their aircraft.

“ALPA pilots commend the members of Congress who have already cosigned the legislation, and we urge others to take action on behalf of all who depend on air transportation,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. To date, 3 tripartisan members of the Senate and 33 bipartisan members of the House have become cosponsors of the aviation safety measure.

A member of the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee on pilot fatigue, ALPA has long maintained that the science-based regulations must equally protect all airline pilots. If passed, the Act would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to apply the FAA’s pilot fatigue rules to all-cargo operations in the same way that the regulations currently apply to passenger flights.

“The science is clear, and it’s just common sense–all airline pilots are human, and they don’t experience fatigue differently based on what they fly in their aircraft,” said Capt. Bill Soer, chairman of ALPA’s President’s Committee for Cargo. “Cargo pilots deserve the same level of protection against fatigue as other airline pilots. Passing the Safe Skies Act will enhance the safety of air transportation for all of us.”
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