Just got this in my inbox from a friend over at Big Brown. Was posted recently on their internal bulletin board.
Guys,
I have been made aware of some frustrations being exchanged between supposed IPA and FedEx ALPA pilots over on the public APC Forum. I encourage all IPA members to refrain from establishing any ill will between our two Associations, especially when our collective efforts are needed in addressing the issues facing us all.
The IPA and our colleagues at FedEx ALPA have established a cooperative working relationship over the past year. We (the pilots of UPS and FedEx) share many of the same concerns that currently face our industry in general and cargo in particular. The new Flight Time/Duty Time rule and the subsequent carve-out of cargo airlines from that rule should trouble us all. Pilot Fatigue does not discriminate. Whether boxes or passengers are carried behind us, the dangerous effect of fatigue poses an equal threat to aviation safety.
ALPA is choosing to pursue a legislative track in attacking the problem. The IPA has elected to fight the battle both legislatively and legally. We jointly seek the same objective. FedEx MEC Chairman Scott Stratton and I have recently discussed joining our efforts during recent meetings together in Washington D.C. Those discussions continue and the IPA welcomes opportunities to work jointly together with FedEx ALPA and our friends at CAPA in achieving a successful outcome to this misguided and inequitable application of the new safety rule to our industry. We are a stronger voice together than individually.
It is easy to let the distractions of these challenging issues morph into internal strife among our groups. Let’s resist turning inward on one another out of frustration over what is surely another uphill battle for cargo pilots. As I have mentioned before, turning back yet another attempt (remember TCAS in the 1990’s) at a cargo carve-out may seem like a David vs. Goliath endeavor against the significant lobbying power of the cargo industry. But together, we (the IPA, CAPA and FedEx ALPA) are on the side of angels on this issue which in turn serves to remind us that that in the end, David did slay the giant !
Remain United,
Bob Travis
IPA President