"Remember 3407" Airline Labor Reform Act
05-14-2009, 11:29 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
"Remember 3407" Airline Labor Reform Act
POST FROM ANOTHER SITE
Okay, I've had more than enough.
It's plainly clear to me that we, as aviation professionals, as Americans, as human beings, are under attack. We're being beaten down into plow horses, mules, and hapless indentured servants.
ENOUGH!
I hereby propose that collectively, both here on JetCareers, in our own personal lives, at our places of business, and through our Unions, we begin the process of CHANGE.
We have had endless rhetoric and conjecture on what should be done about the nature of our business. But what HAS been done?
It seems nearly always that things end with "but what can we do.. none of us know how to do this sort of thing..."
So?
Ladies and Gentlemen, at times such as these, it is important that we not look at the Herculean task before us and falsely assume we must each untake the task all in our own selves.
Reinventing the wheel or martyring one's self to the 'cause' of a better standard of living is NOT what we need.
What we need is something very many of us already do very well: a cool, calm assessment of the situation at hand, the tools we readily have available, and the will to act confidently and decisively.
It's time.
In today's political atmosphere of Change, more possibility exists to conceive the differences needed in order to make this a better world for all of us. What will all the rhetoric do from last fall if we simply let the sound of the trumpets fade when the moment when we must DARE TO BE GREAT go UNANSWERED!
I, along with any one else willing to do so, will endeavor the following:
1. I will draft letters to my elected officials expressing my deep concern over the present state of Airline Labor law and how I think it should be changed.
(I will, over the next several days, attempt to provide form letters for the less-inclined to writing.)
2. I will make it a clear point to understand the current rest standards, regulations, and procedures at my present employer. I will not allow them to violate them, and will clearly explain them to anyone who wishes to understand them.
3. I will tell other aviation professionals about this movement. I will attempt, patiently and diplomatically, to demonstrate the need for reform and to engender a sense of unity and to enlist the aid of both the young and enthusiastic and the old and experienced hands.
4. I will demand action from public officials on this subject.
5. If necessary, I will attempt to write to news media outlets to clearly, rationally, professionally explain their lack of understanding of Airline procedures and the real-world scenarios at hand.
6. I WILL NOT QUIT. I will not roll over in bed tomorrow morning and forget what I have stated that I will do today. I will understand that the commitment I make today is one that will shape and change not only my personal future, but the future of the industry, and the world around us as well.
I will not tire. I will not falter, I will not waiver.
The fallen of Colgan Air flight 3407 have made it clear- our lives truly are at stake every time we take to the skies to earn our living. If we do not take proper precaution, we may well find ourselves in a situation in which our very best is demanded in order to reach a safe outcome. In order to LIVE.
While the exact cause of the crash of Colgan Air 3407 has not yet been determined, and much has been said in speculation, the lacking nature of our work rules and legislation governing this industry has never been more clear.
It has been said that the rules and regulations which govern our operations and were put in place to ensure our safety have been written in the blood of those who died before their inception. Given this, it is clear that the crew and passengers of Colgan Air 3407 have once again filled that sacred ink well of change. It is time to solemnly, seriously, and decisively pick up that quill of remembrance and dip it into the last remains of those who paid the ultimate price for our lack of vision.
It is time to craft a new vision for a future in which no person, regardless of their understanding or background, should hestitate to set foot along with their family aboard an airliner in this country.
It is time.
Okay, I've had more than enough.
It's plainly clear to me that we, as aviation professionals, as Americans, as human beings, are under attack. We're being beaten down into plow horses, mules, and hapless indentured servants.
ENOUGH!
I hereby propose that collectively, both here on JetCareers, in our own personal lives, at our places of business, and through our Unions, we begin the process of CHANGE.
We have had endless rhetoric and conjecture on what should be done about the nature of our business. But what HAS been done?
It seems nearly always that things end with "but what can we do.. none of us know how to do this sort of thing..."
So?
Ladies and Gentlemen, at times such as these, it is important that we not look at the Herculean task before us and falsely assume we must each untake the task all in our own selves.
Reinventing the wheel or martyring one's self to the 'cause' of a better standard of living is NOT what we need.
What we need is something very many of us already do very well: a cool, calm assessment of the situation at hand, the tools we readily have available, and the will to act confidently and decisively.
It's time.
In today's political atmosphere of Change, more possibility exists to conceive the differences needed in order to make this a better world for all of us. What will all the rhetoric do from last fall if we simply let the sound of the trumpets fade when the moment when we must DARE TO BE GREAT go UNANSWERED!
I, along with any one else willing to do so, will endeavor the following:
1. I will draft letters to my elected officials expressing my deep concern over the present state of Airline Labor law and how I think it should be changed.
(I will, over the next several days, attempt to provide form letters for the less-inclined to writing.)
2. I will make it a clear point to understand the current rest standards, regulations, and procedures at my present employer. I will not allow them to violate them, and will clearly explain them to anyone who wishes to understand them.
3. I will tell other aviation professionals about this movement. I will attempt, patiently and diplomatically, to demonstrate the need for reform and to engender a sense of unity and to enlist the aid of both the young and enthusiastic and the old and experienced hands.
4. I will demand action from public officials on this subject.
5. If necessary, I will attempt to write to news media outlets to clearly, rationally, professionally explain their lack of understanding of Airline procedures and the real-world scenarios at hand.
6. I WILL NOT QUIT. I will not roll over in bed tomorrow morning and forget what I have stated that I will do today. I will understand that the commitment I make today is one that will shape and change not only my personal future, but the future of the industry, and the world around us as well.
I will not tire. I will not falter, I will not waiver.
The fallen of Colgan Air flight 3407 have made it clear- our lives truly are at stake every time we take to the skies to earn our living. If we do not take proper precaution, we may well find ourselves in a situation in which our very best is demanded in order to reach a safe outcome. In order to LIVE.
While the exact cause of the crash of Colgan Air 3407 has not yet been determined, and much has been said in speculation, the lacking nature of our work rules and legislation governing this industry has never been more clear.
It has been said that the rules and regulations which govern our operations and were put in place to ensure our safety have been written in the blood of those who died before their inception. Given this, it is clear that the crew and passengers of Colgan Air 3407 have once again filled that sacred ink well of change. It is time to solemnly, seriously, and decisively pick up that quill of remembrance and dip it into the last remains of those who paid the ultimate price for our lack of vision.
It is time to craft a new vision for a future in which no person, regardless of their understanding or background, should hestitate to set foot along with their family aboard an airliner in this country.
It is time.
05-14-2009, 11:30 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
(CONTINUED)
Here's the letter I just sent.
I borrowed a few things from EL (thanks) and I'm posting it here in case anyone is too lazy to write their own. Have at it. Just send something.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/in...e-c5affb405db5
I'm also writing one for my non-flying friends to send... I'll post that one later.
To:
Jack Reed
Jim Langevin
Sheldon Whitehouse
Dear X,
I urge you to lead the way to a safer air transportation system.
As you and the public are aware the NTSB is holding hearings this week over the tragic crash of Colgan flight 3407. While the sensational findings may be startling to the general public, many of the facts being uncovered in this hearing do not come as a surprise to those of us in commercial aviation careers.
The straw that broke the camel's back.
When something tragic like this happens - there are always many small factors involved that ultimately lead to the accident. However, while it is important to establish which straw broke the camel's back it is just as important to question why the camel was over-loaded in the first place.
Legal versus Prudent.
Professional air-crews are the last line of defense in any emergency - while it is currently legal to push them to their limits, is it prudent? There are a great many outdated FAA regulations governing aircrew scheduling and rest requirements - for the most part companies, and pilots who fly for these companies, follow these regulations to remain legal. The fact that air-crews are considered legal to perform their duties doesn't necessarily mean it is prudent for them to do so. The long duty-days that lead to short overnight rest periods were intended, I believe, to be the exception rather the rule. Companies regularly schedule in minimum and reduced rest - a tool that was intended to be a contingency for weather or maintenance delays.
Is meeting the minimums enough?
Regulations, by their very nature, are intended to establish a base or foundation to which businesses should operate at or above. While companies are free to exceed the minimum regulations, we've seen (in all industries) that few rarely do. When incidents occur, companies are quick to respond that no laws were violated. After all, the airlines are simply operating their businesses within the parameters set by the FAA. It is clear that the airlines are very good at following FAA regulations - however outdated the are. This is why the laws must change.
What is the price of safety?
It is truly a shame that a market value needs to be placed on public safety. But that's precisely what happens every time strides are made towards updating old FAA regulations. It's just business. It's business doing more with less – getting more out of their employees, more profit, less cost. Everyone knows it's about money, and that's okay as long as no one gets hurt. The ATA and other lobby groups argue how stricter regulations would kill the airline industry. A few more of these crashes could do just that. This is why the laws must change.
Very few businesses would voluntarily hamstring themselves to operate in the best interest of public safety but if ALL of the airlines were mandated by law to comply with new FAA scheduling and rest requirements then none would be disadvantaged in the market place. This is why the laws must change.
While the exact cause of the crash of Colgan flight 3407 has not yet been determined, the nature of our work rules and legislation governing this industry has never been more clear.
It has been said that the rules and regulations which govern our airline operations were put in place to ensure our safety, and have been written in the blood of those who died before their inception. Given this, it is clear that the crew and passengers of Colgan 3407 have once again filled that sacred ink well of change. It is time to solemnly, seriously, and decisively pick up that quill of remembrance and dip it into the last remains of those who paid the ultimate price for our lack of vision.
It is time to craft a new vision for a future in which no person, regardless of their understanding or background, should hesitate to set foot along with their family aboard an airliner in this country. It is time. The flying public deserves this, professional air-crews deserve this, won't you please take the lead on this important safety issue?
Sincerely, Respectfully,
X
Here's the letter I just sent.
I borrowed a few things from EL (thanks) and I'm posting it here in case anyone is too lazy to write their own. Have at it. Just send something.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/in...e-c5affb405db5
I'm also writing one for my non-flying friends to send... I'll post that one later.
To:
Jack Reed
Jim Langevin
Sheldon Whitehouse
Dear X,
I urge you to lead the way to a safer air transportation system.
As you and the public are aware the NTSB is holding hearings this week over the tragic crash of Colgan flight 3407. While the sensational findings may be startling to the general public, many of the facts being uncovered in this hearing do not come as a surprise to those of us in commercial aviation careers.
The straw that broke the camel's back.
When something tragic like this happens - there are always many small factors involved that ultimately lead to the accident. However, while it is important to establish which straw broke the camel's back it is just as important to question why the camel was over-loaded in the first place.
Legal versus Prudent.
Professional air-crews are the last line of defense in any emergency - while it is currently legal to push them to their limits, is it prudent? There are a great many outdated FAA regulations governing aircrew scheduling and rest requirements - for the most part companies, and pilots who fly for these companies, follow these regulations to remain legal. The fact that air-crews are considered legal to perform their duties doesn't necessarily mean it is prudent for them to do so. The long duty-days that lead to short overnight rest periods were intended, I believe, to be the exception rather the rule. Companies regularly schedule in minimum and reduced rest - a tool that was intended to be a contingency for weather or maintenance delays.
Is meeting the minimums enough?
Regulations, by their very nature, are intended to establish a base or foundation to which businesses should operate at or above. While companies are free to exceed the minimum regulations, we've seen (in all industries) that few rarely do. When incidents occur, companies are quick to respond that no laws were violated. After all, the airlines are simply operating their businesses within the parameters set by the FAA. It is clear that the airlines are very good at following FAA regulations - however outdated the are. This is why the laws must change.
What is the price of safety?
It is truly a shame that a market value needs to be placed on public safety. But that's precisely what happens every time strides are made towards updating old FAA regulations. It's just business. It's business doing more with less – getting more out of their employees, more profit, less cost. Everyone knows it's about money, and that's okay as long as no one gets hurt. The ATA and other lobby groups argue how stricter regulations would kill the airline industry. A few more of these crashes could do just that. This is why the laws must change.
Very few businesses would voluntarily hamstring themselves to operate in the best interest of public safety but if ALL of the airlines were mandated by law to comply with new FAA scheduling and rest requirements then none would be disadvantaged in the market place. This is why the laws must change.
While the exact cause of the crash of Colgan flight 3407 has not yet been determined, the nature of our work rules and legislation governing this industry has never been more clear.
It has been said that the rules and regulations which govern our airline operations were put in place to ensure our safety, and have been written in the blood of those who died before their inception. Given this, it is clear that the crew and passengers of Colgan 3407 have once again filled that sacred ink well of change. It is time to solemnly, seriously, and decisively pick up that quill of remembrance and dip it into the last remains of those who paid the ultimate price for our lack of vision.
It is time to craft a new vision for a future in which no person, regardless of their understanding or background, should hesitate to set foot along with their family aboard an airliner in this country. It is time. The flying public deserves this, professional air-crews deserve this, won't you please take the lead on this important safety issue?
Sincerely, Respectfully,
X
Last edited by Da Magic; 05-14-2009 at 12:07 PM. Reason: broken links
05-14-2009, 11:31 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/in...e-c5affb405db5
Contact these guys especially.
They each have their own personal pages too. Makes it easier.
Contact these guys especially.
They each have their own personal pages too. Makes it easier.
Last edited by Da Magic; 05-14-2009 at 12:07 PM. Reason: broken links
05-14-2009, 12:05 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
05-14-2009, 05:38 PM
#9
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Position: CR7 Capt
Posts: 1,621
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