The IPA has had that "pair" for years.

Check out this gem from 1997 ... 13+ years later ?

Cargo planes need fire-safety equipment, too

USA TODAY - McLean, Va.
Date: May 21, 1997


The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) represents crew members employed by United Parcel Service. We transport hazardous materials day and night. While cargo aircraft have smoke-detection systems, most have no method of extinguishing fire. This concerns pilots of these large aircraft and should concern the public over whom we fly.

The Federal Express aircraft was mere minutes from an airport when the fire was discovered, yet it barely made it to the ground before being destroyed by flame. Many of us who fly these large cargo jets can envision a scenario where an airport is not so readily available. In that situation, into whose neighborhood would our 400,000-pound jet ``arrive'' when the pilots are incapacitated by smoke or flight controls are useless due to fire damage?

The IPA believes pilots and the public under our flight paths must be protected from fire aboard cargo aircraft. Complete fire-detection and extinguishing protection must be installed on all large transport aircraft. Exempting cargo aircraft from this requirement only invites disaster.