Originally Posted by
par8head
Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 21, 2009
Contact: Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883
Statement by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on the First Regional Airline Safety Forum
Today we held the first meeting in what will be a series of 12 nationwide regional airline safety forums to reduce risk at regional airlines. I'm pleased to report that airlines and unions are responding positively to the recent Call to Action from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and me to push safety initiatives forward now.
Today's forum was attended by 65 safety executives representing airlines and unions. The discussions focused on air carrier management responsibilities for crew education and support, professional standards and flight discipline, training standards and performance, and mentoring. The FAA will collect effective airline best practices and innovative ideas and share that information with airlines and unions. FAA inspectors will then assess how airlines are using the information.
This open dialogue will continue through August at additional Forums to be held in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, Anchorage, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Denver, St. Louis, Las Vegas, and Boston.
ALPA Pilots Needed for FAA “Road Shows”
ALPA president Capt. John Prater served as pilot union moderator in Washington, D.C., Tuesday at the first of 12 FAA “Call to Action on Airline Safety and Pilot Training” road shows. The FAA announced at the kick-off Call to Action event on June 15 that these road shows would be scheduled around the United States and that active line-pilot participation would be solicited for each.
ALPA is fully supporting these events and encourages members—especially those who live in or near participating cities—to attend one or more of the meetings and share their perspective on the subjects raised. The FAA has structured these events to facilitate discussion, which will be moderated by selected labor and airline representatives. ALPA is especially interested in having broad representation and constructive participation from its members at these events.
Call to Action is intended to bring together FAA inspectors, airline management, and pilots to discuss the challenges of improving air carrier management support, screening, hiring, training, professional standards, and mentoring at all Part 121 airlines. The first road show this week included a cross section of approximately 75 aviation professionals and regulators.
The 11 remaining road shows are scheduled for the following cities:
July 30 – Dallas/Ft. Worth
July 30 – Chicago
August 4 – Seattle
August 6 – Minneapolis/St. Paul
August 6 – Atlanta
August 6 – Anchorage
August 20 – Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
August 20 – Denver
August 20 – St. Louis
August 27 – Las Vegas
August 27 – Boston
These meetings are closed to both the public and media to facilitate an open and honest exchange of best practices and recommendations. Each road show is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:00 p.m.
For more information about the agenda, venues, and to register online for these events, please
click here. Pre-registration is required to attend. After registering, please send an e-mail to
[email protected] and identify yourself as an attendee. Please include your name, airline, phone number, and the city(ies) where you plan to attend.