FAA Chief Will Draft Rules to Address Fatigue

[tonyw]

Looks like you've got something going, Charlie.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124510795339316825.html

The top U.S. air-safety regulator said Monday that within a few months he hopes to draft tougher rules to alleviate fatigue among commuter airline pilots.

The move, and the speedy timetable for implementing it, is an indication that Randy Babbitt, the recently confirmed head of the Federal Aviation Administration, considers commuter pilot fatigue to be among the agency's top safety concerns. Commuter airlines account for more than half of all commercial flights in the U.S. They typically fly under contract from major carriers, ferrying passengers between smaller destinations and larger hubs.

"The bottom line is, I'm going to want a new rule" aimed at combating commuter-pilot fatigue, Mr. Babbitt told reporters. "I'd like to do it in the coming months."

It's been a long time since the NTSB said this issue needed to be addressed. It's good to see that someone wants to do it in a few months and that person is the head of the FAA.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Thank ALPA. This decision was the result of a meeting that took place this week between FAA Director Babbitt, Secretary Lahood, Captain Prater, and 9 other ALPA representatives.

 

[Tram]

Thank ALPA. This decision was the result of a meeting that took place this week between FAA Director Babbitt, Secretary Lahood, Captain Prater, and 9 other ALPA representatives.

I have a hard time thinkin' it was ALPA's push that did it.. I would have to put the "Thanks" on the 3407 crew who brought all this stuff to the public eye...

Don't get me wrong, I am pro-ALPA, but I think they are more and more a paper tiger everyday..

 

[flyboywbl]

What are the current rules about sleep deprivation? Are all the rules on the books just daly, weekly, monthly, and yearly maximums?

As a pilot what do you think the rules should be to maximize commerce and safety?

Thanks for the enlightenment!

-Matt

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Don't get me wrong, I am pro-ALPA, but I think they are more and more a paper tiger everyday..

ALPA's influence in DC is growing, not fading. The amount of access that Captain Prater has had since President Obama's inauguration has been incredible.

 

[OldTownPilot]

Oh, I'm sure there was a meeting etc. but that never would have happened without the crash in BUF.

 

[OldTownPilot]

What are the current rules about sleep deprivation? Are all the rules on the books just daly, weekly, monthly, and yearly maximums?

-Matt

Yes.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Oh, I'm sure there was a meeting etc. but that never would have happened without the crash in BUF.

Of course, but just six months ago the crash never would have led to any meaningful improvements, because the Administration was not interested in even speaking to ALPA. That's all changed now.

 

[Velocipede]

Oh goodie:

Don't get me wrong, I am pro-ALPA, but I think they are more and more a paper tiger everyday..

The view from someone with zero experience volunteering. Versus:

ALPA's influence in DC is growing, not fading. The amount of access that Captain Prater has had since President Obama's inauguration has been incredible.

An insider. Which is more credible?

Oh, I'm sure there was a meeting etc. but that never would have happened without the crash in BUF.

Rules are written in blood. You know that.

 

[OldTownPilot]

Rules are written in blood. You know that.

Unfortunately I do, hence the comment. It wasn't a ALPA/FAA/President pow wow just for the heck of it.

 

[Tram]

The view from someone with zero experience volunteering.

Ah yes, you caught me.. I am not a volunteer.. I keep forgetting you must be a volunteer to have an opinion on the issue.. Paying dues is simply not enough...

 

[Velocipede]

No, but do you think a Republican FAA Administrator would have even invited Capt. Prater to the meeting, much less taken his advice?

 

[Tram]

ALPA's influence in DC is growing, not fading. The amount of access that Captain Prater has had since President Obama's inauguration has been incredible.

It would be nice to see that happen..

 

[pullup]

I thank the mainstream media who wouldn't let this issue go. For once they actually helped.

 

[Tram]

No, but do you think a Republican FAA Administrator would have even invited Capt. Prater to the meeting, much less taken his advice?

So we went from me not being credible because I'm not a volunteer to bringing it to a left/right political argument?

I'm just curious, did you just assume I had never volunteered, or ...?

 

[Velocipede]

Ah yes, you caught me.. I am not a volunteer.. I keep forgetting you must be a volunteer to have an opinion on the issue.. Paying dues is simply not enough...

Sometimes voicing your "opinions" with no practical experience in the organization except for paying dues reflects how little you know about the organization.

Just saying.

As Abe Lincoln said, "Sometimes its better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

A wise man, that Abe.

 

[Velocipede]

So we went from me not being credible because I'm not a volunteer to bringing it to a left/right political argument?

I'm just curious, did you just assume I had never volunteered, or ...?

Again, reread the Abe quote. I didn't have to assume anything. Your "opinion" outed you for everyone to see.

 

[OldTownPilot]

No, but do you think a Republican FAA Administrator would have even invited Capt. Prater to the meeting, much less taken his advice?

If s/he wanted any credibility that they were trying to do anything about the situation that the media is crying about they would.

 

[Tram]

As Abe Lincoln said, "Sometimes its better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

A wise man, that Abe.

So.. Now I'm a fool, because I have an opinion of ALPA but have never seen the "inside" of the agency?

I think I am well within my right to voice an... "opinion" having seen what little I have seen..

You can argue it all you want, ALPA may have helped, I would like to think they have, but before I go looking for Prater's hand to shake, I think the lives of those who died in the crash that brought the issue to the forefront would be thanked first..

Had 3407 never happened, the current "up-roar" would be non-existent..

 

[Velocipede]

Of course you're right, OTP. However, remember the Republican political agenda. It has to be good for the business, not the individual pilots.

Also, remember what Bob Crandall used to say. American could take 3 hull losses a year because they were insured.

A Republican administrator would never issue a NPRM that might force the airlines to INCREASE staffing. That hinders the bottom line don't ya know.

Keep talking, Tram.