Buffalo, New York- June 22, 2009 – The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced their support for the ‘One Level of Safety’ Bill, introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The bill seeks to address many of the deficiencies that have been brought to light by the investigation into the crash of Continental Flight 3407 on February 12th.
“It is great to see a bipartisan effort like this on the part of Senator Snowe and my home-state senator Barbara Boxer, because aviation safety is not a Democrat or Republican issue; it is something that affects all Americans as we have so sadly learned”, stated Cindi Saltzgiver of Cathedral City, California, who lost her 37 year old daughter Kristin Safran in the crash of Flight 3407. “This bill addresses a wide range of our concerns, including training, experience, fatigue, and FAA implementation of NTSB safety recommendations. We hope that Congress will rally behind this bill, sending a clear message to the FAA and aviation industry that we will not tolerate the status quo.”
The bill includes provisions directing the FAA to enact NTSB safety recommendations regarding low airspeed alert systems, use of autopilot in icing conditions, and remedial training programs for pilots with a history of training deficiencies, that have not been acted upon for up to six years. The bill also asks the FAA to address fatigue management, minimum hour requirements for pilot licensure and hiring, and the oversight of pilot training schools.