"Best" quote ...

ALPA’s “Closing the Gaps” cargo conference afforded the FAA’s associate administrator for aviation safety, Margaret “Peggy” Gilligan, an opportunity to elaborate on the agency’s rulemaking process and the reason it excluded cargo operations from Part 117. “No one puts a value on human life, but the truth is, there are ways to analyze what the societal benefits will be and we do that by estimating what the public is willing to pay to avoid injury or fatalities,” Gilligan said. “Right now, in the Department of Transportation, the value that has been determined that society is willing to pay is a little over $6 million per person who might be affected by the accident. That’s how we start to identify benefits.”

Putting a price on safety.....

 

From AVWEB

Fight Brewing Over FAA Fatigue Rules



A bill filed in the House last week aims to extend the FAA's new airline fatigue rules to cover cargo pilots, but the effort is already drawing opposition from the cargo industry. The new FAA rules, scheduled to take effect in January 2014, stipulate that pilots must get at least 10 hours of off-duty time between flights, and can't fly more than five consecutive night shifts. The bill to change that, called the Safe Skies Act (PDF), was filed by U.S. Reps. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., and Tim Bishop, D-N.Y. FedEx told The Hill that it would be a bad idea to impose the rules on cargo carriers.



FedEx said it has "worked with our pilots and recognized experts to mitigate fatigue for many years … [incorporating] the best scientific findings in the area of fatigue into our scheduling systems." Cravaack, a former cargo pilot, said, "I understand the importance of a single standard of safety for pilots who share the same airspace and runways with passenger aircraft. I introduced the Safe Skies Act in order to apply the new, common-sense standards for pilot rest to cargo pilots as well." The union representing UPS pilots, which challenged their exclusion from the new rules earlier this year, supports Cravaack's proposal. The Air Line Pilots Association also supports the change. "All airline pilots are human beings, and all airline operations should benefit from the same high safety standards," said Lee Moak, ALPA president.

 

Sounds like this would be a horrible deal for commuters. Flag Ops have already made it bad. Careful what you wish for.

 

Have you even read the new rules before making a statement like that??

And, what has "Flags Ops" done to make it bad??

 

Nice, abrasive reply -- good job.

Yes. I've read them and as a commuter it will chop up your schedule, just like 30 in 7 does for domestic/flag ops, which requires more commutes. If someone likes flying West cost trips, you might be able to work five days and then forced to take a day off (30-in-7) -- in Memphis, no thanks. But, enough said, I've better things to do than getting in a ****ing contest with some dude on the internet -- See ya.

 

No you will just throw out statements with no facts to back them up and then attack someone for asking for clarification.

The majority of the crews I have talked to have not even looked at the new rules. They base their opinions on what someone else has told them what they think is in there!

The new rules do not chop up your schedule like you claim.

Also, I have not seen the 30 in 7 problem with my schedule - so maybe I am on the wrong airplane.

 

Not doubting what you're saying but I've yet to meet anyone who has had a problem with the Flap Ops and their schedule. Please throw some examples out from the bidpack or how it has affected you.

 

OK Tuck, I'll bite.

Put me down as being against the "new, improved" rules.

Why does ALPA national pretend it knows what is best for the line pilots?

Guess what? When you don't actually have to fly all night, you don't know what is best for the guys that do!

This reminds me of the famous line "you have to pass the bill to find out what's in it".

I have asked our leadership to explain the goods and bads of the new rules, but they don't seem to have the time. All they care about is the "appearance" of the "win", I don't think they give a darn about the guy that actually has to fly at night. THEY DON'T. Yeah, limiting your flying to 3 nights in a row, so that we can have MORE "first nights", that's really smart. Obviously thought up by a pax guy, who has never time shifted over to the night side. I have said it before, and I will say it again, we should NOT be in ALPA, they DO NOT look out for our interests. We should form an all cargo union with UPS.

I have joined a grievance, where the company is deliberately and unquestionably violating the contract, and the union has yet to do anything about it. What is the grievance about? 30 in 7! You are supposed to be placed in substitution for a 30 in 7 problem, yet the company drops your trip and tells you to make it up! What has the union done? NOTHING. Why am I paying my dues? ONLY BECAUSE I AM FORCED TO. See what agency shop gets you? Nothing! No accountability on the part of the "leadership". IF PEOPLE COULD ACTUALLY QUIT THE UNION, THE UNION LEADERSHIP MIGHT PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE MASSES.

My name was added to the grievance last July. How long do I have to wait for my 30 in 7 problem to be solved? Until the next contract?

I won't be holding my breath.

Oh, when we get assessed for ALPA screwing the TWA guys, and we have to fork over thousands of dollars, don't forget I TOLD YOU SO.

 

Again - someone who has NOT read the new rules!

 

Max,

So how many nights can we hub turn and how long will our night be due to the break required?

Respectfully,

Past..