Message #4 From:
NewsBot Date: March 9, 2007 10:21:00 AM
AMR News Allied Pilots Association Voices Strong Support for Legislation to Improve Federal Flight Deck Officer Program
FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), expressed its strong support for the Improving America’s Security Act of 2007 and urged Congress to pass the legislation without further delay. The bill, which was introduced yesterday, is designed to address shortcomings in the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program.
“Senator Bunning’s amendment significantly improves the FFDO program by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to implement the program as Congress originally intended,” said Captain Ralph Hunter, president of the Allied Pilots Association. “The improvements will attract more pilots into the program by eliminating needless restrictions and will also expand coverage to international flights.”
According to Hunter, many pilots have declined participation because of the Transportation Security Administration’s cumbersome application and participation requirements, non-standard badging and weapons restrictions, requirement for pilots to train at their own expense and the inability to protect international flights.
The proposed legislation—resulting from the combined efforts of U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), APA’s Committee for Armed Defense of the Cockpit (CADC), the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association and the Federal Flight Deck Officer’s Association—proposes changes in five areas of concern:
Eliminates the lock box and permits FFDOs to carry their weapon on their person like other federal officers.
Permits FFDOs to carry firearms on international flights.
Provides a metal badge for identification of FFDOs to other law enforcement officers in a crisis.
Provides due process protection to applicants and participants in the program.
Holds the U.S. State Department accountable to Congress for progress in negotiating agreements with foreign countries for FFDO carriage.
“We have been very pleased with administration of the program under the Federal Air Marshal Service,” said First Officer Mike Karn, who chairs APA’s CADC. “However, this amendment is essential to ensure the FFDO program operates as originally intended by Congress. It is imperative that this program be permitted to function effectively as a first line of deterrence and last line of defense against the hostile takeover of a U.S. airliner.”
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,799 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation’s largest passenger carrier.
