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Government Affairs : AFA Wins Legislative Victories
Congress approved a bill that calls for a study of providing wireless
communication devices to flight attendants and another bill that appropriates $200,000 for a study of flight attendant fatigue citing
evidence that FAA minimum crew rest regulations may not allow adequate rest time for flight attendants. Language in the
Appropriations bill explains: “Especially since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation's
flight attendants have been asked to assume a greater role in protecting the safety of air travelers
during flight. There is evidence that what was once occasional use of the 'reduced rest' flexibility is
now becoming common practice at some carriers. Because FAA regulations allow the rest period to
commence shortly after the aircraft parks at the gate, the eight hour `rest' period also includes the
time it takes a flight attendant to get out of the terminal, go through customs if necessary, obtain
transportation to a hotel and check in. Due to this situation, it is likely that many flight attendants are
performing their duties with no more than 4 to 6 hours of sleep.” The study will be completed by June 1, 2005, and must include recommendations on potential regulatory revisions.
Message From Shane Larson, IAFA Government Affairs Director:
Obviously things are relatively quiet with Congress completing work. Earlier this week, Congress
returned in order to complete work on the Omnibus Appropriations Bill and the Intelligence Reform
Bill. We were fortunate in winning a victory in each of those bills. In the 9-11 Intelligence Reform Bill,
a provision was included that calls for a feasibility study of existing technology that can be readily
implemented for use onboard the aircraft to function as a means of wireless communication between
flight attendants and the cockpit. This is a major step forward in eventually reaching the goal of all
aircraft having a discrete wireless method for flight attendants, pilots and air marshalls to be able to
communicate with one another. Besides the security benefits, it's been proven that such a
communication device will allow for the cockpit to communicate more quickly and efficiently with flight
attendants to notify them of upcoming turbulence. We hope to take the results of this study to push strongly for an implementation of such a communication device on all aircaft.
The second victory was in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Included in this mamoth bill was an
appropriation for a study of flight attendant fatigue. The language included in calling for the study went further than we expected. Here is the actual langugage from the bill:
Flight attendant fatigue study.--The Committee is concerned about evidence that FAA minimum crew
rest regulations may not allow adequate rest time for flight attendants. Especially since the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation's flight attendants have been asked to assume a greater
role in protecting the safety of air travelers during flight. Current flight attendant duty and rest rules
state that flight attendants should have a minimum of nine hours off duty, that may be reduced to
eight hours, if the following rest period is ten hours. Although these rules have been in place for
several years, they do not reflect the increased security responsibilities since 2001, and only recently
have carriers begun scheduling attendants for less than nine hours off. There is evidence that what
was once occasional use of the 'reduced rest' flexibility is now becoming common practice at some carriers.
Because FAA regulations allow the rest period to commence shortly after the aircraft parks at the
gate, the eight hour 'rest' period also includes the time it takes a flight attendant to get out of the
terminal, go through customs if necessary, obtain transportation to a hotel and check in. Due to this
situation, it is likely that many flight attendants are performing their duties with no more than 4 to 6
hours of sleep. To better understand the impact of the minimum rest requirements of FAR 121.467
and FAR 135.273, the Committee recommends $200,000 for a study of flight attendant fatigue. This
study should consider professional input from FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute. The study should be
finalized and submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than June 1, 2005, including the agency's recommendations on potential regulatory revisions.
We couldn't have said it better ourselves!
The dates for the 2005 Policy Committee have been set. The Policy Committee will meet on January
4 - 6th to set the agenda for the coming year. We continue to work on developing an all encompasing
legislative strategy to address a number of our issues under the campaign - Flight Attendants: 21st Century Sweatshop Workers. This probable campaign will be a main topic during the policy
committee meeting.
We are close to finalizing the dates for the 2005 regional trainings. The tentative dates are: Feb 1 -
Atlanta, Feb. 8th - L.A., Feb. 22nd - Chicago, Feb. 24 Denver.
Also, keep in mind that the 2005 CWA Legislative Conference is March 6 - 9. We are exploring the
possibility of having AFA members arrive a day early on the 5th, so that we can focus specifically on discussing our issues amongst ourselves during that day.
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and is finding it possible to recover from the election
debacle. I for one found it helpful to drown my sorrows in kegs of guiness while in Ireland over Thanksgiving. Guiness really is a cure all!!
Hope to see you all on the 14th here in Washington or sometime soon. And I hope you are all having
an enjoyable holiday season.
Shane
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