US Airways Pilots Allege That Management, Ignoring Past Safety Practices, Resorts To Pilot Intimidation in an Effort to Reduce Fuel Cost
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) President Stephen Bradford,
on behalf of the Association, has released a memorandum to the US
Airways Pilots which advises them of Management's decision to initiate
what the pilots consider discipline in the form of unapproved
"training." This 'training' is to be given to the Airline's most
senior Captains who, according to USAPA, have been singled-out for
exercising their judgment on determining fuel loads for their flights.
The "training" includes simulator instruction which, if not
successfully completed, could subject the pilot to a loss of his/her
license. In USAPA's view, the threat is clear: adding fuel could
expose a pilot to career-ending license action.
USAPA Spokesman, Captain James Ray, stated that in most cases the
Senior Captains were selected for adding what equates to approximately
10 to 15 minutes of additional arrival fuel on transoceanic flights.
Under the applicable standards of the Federal Aviation Administration,
the adequacy of fuel loads is considered a critical safety
determination that is left to the Captain's discretion.
The memorandum to the Pilots was sent after the Board of Pilot
Representatives for the US Airline Pilots Association conducted a
meeting on the matter. The memorandum stated, "Captain's Authority and
the right to make decisions based on good, sound judgment should never
be subjected to the winds of economics."
"Making decisions on whether or not to hand out peanuts is one
thing; mandating fuel loads that our Captains are uncomfortable with,
is another," said USAPA President Stephen Bradford. President Bradford
went on to say, "US Airways pilots are committed to exercising their
'Captain's Authority,' as granted by the Federal Aviation
Administration, and will always ensure a fuel load that will safely
fly our passengers to their destination, with all the reserves
necessary to handle any contingencies related to the flight."
USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles
across the United States.
US Airline Pilots Association
James Ray, 980-875-7642
Copyright Business Wire 2008
