FAA Rest Rules Must Apply to Both Passenger and All-Cargo Pilots

Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement regarding the union’s long-standing and adamant position that the Federal Aviation Administration’s new airline pilot rest regulations should apply to all airline pilots, regardless of whether they fly passengers or cargo.

“The Air Line Pilots Association, International, has advocated in the strongest possible terms that the Federal Aviation Administration’s new science-based flight- and duty-time regulations and minimum rest requirements must apply to all airline pilots, regardless of whether they carry passengers or cargo on their aircraft.

“To achieve the goal of one level of safety across the U.S. airline industry, ALPA has pursued legislation to apply these regulations to all-cargo airline pilots and equally protect all airline pilots from fatigue. In April, we were gratified by the introduction of the Safe Skies Act of 2012. 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. We commend Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.) and Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) for introducing the bill, and we applaud the more than two dozen members of Congress who have already co-sponsored it. ALPA urges all members of the U.S. House to join this critical effort.

“We understand that the FAA may be providing more information on the impact of the new rule on cargo operations and seeking additional comments as to whether all-cargo pilots should be covered by the regulations. This is no guarantee, however, that cargo pilots will be included. This legislation, H.R. 4350, is more important now than before. If more information is available, we look forward to reviewing it and to commenting on it with the clear goal of achieving one level of safety for the U.S. airline industry.”

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.