Jack Bauer

After scanning all or part of the new rules it appears on its face pretty watered down and the airlines lobbying efforts won out more often than not on each given proposal that was intended to increase safety and reduce fatigue. Very sad to see the outlandish arguments made by "industry" and paid for "studies" that influenced the powers that be (FAA) to break from a true "how can we help pilots feel more rested, be less fatigued and make less mistakes" approach.

I am open to differing opinions but the language used and seeming backpedaling made by the FAA begs the question who got paid off and how...future jobs, money, etc?

Any differing opinions out there? I would like to hear some concrete reasons why this is a win?

acl65pilot

Babbitt is gone, why do you think they got this out there before another appointed former pilot gets in to the office? That way no one is to blame. A complete washing of the hands.

Jack Bauer

I was thinking that very thing. I wasn't a big fan of Babbitt but I do think he was pushing on this thing to some degree (giving him the benefit of the doubt). Who knows if the industry pushback and "powerful government influences" with money and future jobs, election favors, etc drove him to a point he would start drinking and driving. We will probably never know. The release of this thing all of sudden after his exit does look dubious at best. They probably had several versions...on one end a new set of rules that would actually create more safety and be meaningful, and on the other end this POS. Industry/Government saw their opening in the chaos of Babbitt's departure, grabbed the POS version and released it. That's my take anyway.

samballs

To me, It always seemed Babbit was pushing harder for this than alpa. Alpa always seemed busy thinking crew pass was our biggest worry. In my opinion they fought for crews pass because it was one thing that was a lock to eventually happen. Not till the last 6-8 months have you seen alpa say get the rules out. At least in 2 yrs, today release will mean something.

Jack Bauer

Don't worry, no matter how inadequate these new rules are (some might argue some areas became less safe) ALPA will announce on the front page of their magazine and through a million emails they were victorious. It was high powered lobbying of ALPA that got the job done. Put that trophy next to laser rules soon to be implemented.

Jack Bauer

The new rules will require pilots to sign a statement before each flight certifying they are rested and fit for duty.

No doubt this is a get out of jail free card for airlines regarding liability in the event of a crash. Given the added gravity of signing not only for the aircraft, that it is airworthy, but also signing oneself off as airworthy (not fatigued), will more pilots be willing to step up to the plate and call in fatigued if they are tired? If they do call in fatigued do they still get to do a carpet dance in the CPO? I'm guessing yes and the company will continue to exert pressure to get pilots to "maximize productivity" with policies that are not specific enough to get them to pop up on the radar (no bad press about pilot pushing) yet aggravating and harrassing enough to make pilots choose working fatigued over getting twenty questions and a raised eyebrow (that eyebrow is silently questioning if you really want your job).

RockyBoy

Love it!

ChrisJT6

"It was tough to implement it on cargo because of the cost-benefit to this," LaHood said. RIGHT! It is tough when the hugely profitable cargo carriers offer hundreds of millions in lobby money to exempt Cargo carriers...that operate wide body aircraft from the same airports/space. The pax and cargo carriers spend many times more in a quarter on lobbying than the annual costs Mr. LaHood mentions as a result from this rule change. This bull is sprayed despite the companies having to report massive Qtly expenditures on their lawyer lobby. We now have two levels of safety and no one will give a darn until people die.
He with the most money wins...there should be some big executive bonuses handed out for this win.

ualratt

All the preceding threads regarding "commuting" are quite interesting but boy, talk about missing the target by miles. The concept of "pilot bases/domiciles" are a crock'o... An antiquated concept/culture by today's standards that many have grown up and became too comfortable with to see it's uslessness. The best way to alleviate the commuting issue is the more logical concept of being "home based". Absent that the other viable option is being provided a DH/PS flight to your base. Both of these concepts work very well today with lots of operators out there. Like with most things though, many will huff and puff because change is often too difficult for us to appreciate so the perils of commuting will continue for the unforeseeable future...

Brocc15

I actually thought most of the rules were fair and realistic with the exception of of two major things:

1. The exclusion of cargo carriers
2. Two YEARS to implement (really?!)

The un-reducible 10 hours of rest is a big win, in my opinion, along with the reduced duty days. I remember just how exhausting those 16 hour 5 leg days were, any every time I have been reduced to 8 hours of rest I am just miserable. The 30 hours rest required in 7 days is also a big plus, being scheduled to end at 2 pm and duty in the next day at 2 pm, does NOT make someone feel like they had a day to rest and recuperate. I think that extra 6 hours makes a big difference.

Before I say the following I will say I am not and have never been management: Safety and cost will ALWAYS have to be balanced. As someone else said to me once, the day after 9/11 was probably the safest day in aviation history, but cost the airlines a lot of money! So in an attempt to be as objective as I can, I actually think most of these rulings are fair.