Just wondering has anyone heard anything about the bill? Is it going to get passed in Sept? Has the final draft that is to be submitted and voted on out yet? The last time I heard or saw anything about it was a month ago from the library of congress website.

Nothing new that I have been able to find out, but I imagine there will be another public announcment on it before the end of the year.These things will take time

There two completely separate processes to keep an eye...

The congressional bill, which will obviously have the force of law when passed.

The FAA rule-making process, which is more subject to debate, delays and outside influence.

A law, if passed, will overide any conflicting FAA provisions.

by the time we see or hear anything ill be 2010

Or until management runs out of money to lobby everyone.

This may be one of those rare cases where public perception will out way the force of any lobbying effort by the ATA or RAA. Have you all written your representatives. You can try to make an appointment with them while they are in town as well.

HAHA I like your ICON PIC! I remember that show when I was Jr. High back in 1990. I just found the DVDs on Amazon last year and bought it.

Mine never responded.

They may not respond, but they (or their staffers at least) read ALL of their constituent mail and often use those inputs to develop their stand on some issues. You will not likely change their mind on some major issue which is a key platform of their party (ex. abortion), but on little-known issues which they don't have expertise or a predefined opinion, a few letters can make all the difference.

The committee that is deciding the new duty restrictions will have their last meeting this coming week. Sounds like so far the unions and the industry are pretty close on agreeing on the same rules. There will not be any more 16 hr duty days, they are going to have 2 separate max duty. One will be 12 hrs for day flying, and one will be 9 hrs for night flying due to your body being in circadian low.

People can get upset and say, "i can work way more than 12 hrs or 9 hrs." But this committee is using the facts, and using fatigue studies to come up with safe and responsible work hours.

So far this is only suppose to affect the 121 carriers, but there are some that are trying to make sure it gets to the 135 carriers too; ONE LEVEL OF SAFETY.