Administrator

Victims’ Families Fight to Counter Industry Resistance to Critical New Pilot Fatigue Regulation

Buffalo, New York- September 12, 2011 – With the Federal Aviation Administration now six weeks late in meeting Congress’s mandate to issue a new pilot flight and duty time regulation, members of the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ will be in Washington on Tuesday to push for action from the White House. In addition to meeting with the White House Office of Management and Budget, where the fatigue safety reform is currently being held up, the group has scheduled a major announcement for late Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.

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Flight 3407 Victim Beverly Eckert Learned That FAA, Government Did Nothing Despite Being Warned for Over 30 Years

Buffalo, New York- September 9, 2011 – Since losing their sister and 9/11 widow Beverly Eckert in the crash of Continental Flight 3407 in February 2009, her sisters Karen Eckert and Susan Bourque have been key members of the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’, fiercely advocating for stronger aviation safety measures. As the ten year anniversary of 9/11 approaches, they drew parallels between the FAA’s long-time inaction on cockpit security which contributed to 9/11, and its current struggles in issuing a long-overdue new regulation on pilot flight and duty times.

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ATA, Cargo and Non-Scheduled Carriers Pull Out All Stops to Pressure White House to Back Down on Babbitt and LaHood’s Top Safety Priority

Buffalo, New York- September 6, 2011 – With the White House seemingly in gridlock and already late in meeting a Congressional deadline for issuing a new pilot flight and duty time regulation, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ lashed out at the airline industry and its lobbying arm for their continued efforts to fight this critical safety initiative.

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Fatigue and Training Are Immediate Issues; Pilot Qualifications and Training Record Database Loom Large in Background

Buffalo, New York- August 1, 2011 – In light of a missed deadline by the FAA on a key pilot fatigue rule and a report on the crash of Air France Flight 447 which cited pilot training deficiencies similar to those of Flight 3407, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of President Obama signing historic aviation safety legislation (HR 5900/PL 111-216: ‘The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act’) into law:

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Flight and Duty Time, Commuting, Pilot Records Database, and NTSB Recommendations in the Spotlight

Buffalo, New York- July 19, 2011 – With August 1st looming as a key date for many of the aviation safety initiatives directed by PL 111-216, “The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010”, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ highlighted some key areas upon which congressional watchdogs and the media need to focus.

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Shuster Amendment Could Derail Similar Safety Initiatives

Buffalo, New York- May 11, 2011 – Prior to reviewing the 800 page proposal in its entirety, The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ praised the Federal Aviation Administration and Administrator Randy Babbitt for their release today of a proposed rulemaking to revise crewmember training programs for all air carriers. The action represents another milestone in the implementation of PL 111-216, the landmark aviation safety legislation that was passed and signed into law last August.

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Buffalo, New York- May 8, 2011 – The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ have confirmed a meeting with Speaker of the House John Boehner in Buffalo on Monday, following a campaign appearance for congressional candidate Jane Corwin. At the meeting, the group will be voicing their strong opposition to the Shuster Amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill, which narrowly passed the House last month. (more…)

Ask Speaker to Drop Support for Shuster Anti-Safety Amendment Based on NTSB, FAA Opposition

Buffalo, New York- May 8, 2011 – Less than 24 hours from a Buffalo campaign appearance by Speaker of the House John Boehner, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ have still not heard back from the Speaker’s office or the Jane Corwin campaign on a request for a meeting with the Speaker. The appearance, which has generated much controversy in Buffalo, is scheduled for this Monday, May 9th, at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. (more…)

Tuesday Press Conference, Over 50 Meetings Highlight Two-Day Trip

Buffalo, New York- May 3, 2011 – Reacting to industry attempts to gut critical aviation safety legislation not even nine months after it was signed into law, over 30 members of the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ journeyed to Washington to oppose the inclusion of the Shuster amendment in the final compromise FAA Bill. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), seeks to grind to a halt recent FAA momentum in critical safety rulemakings by imposing additional requirements in the regulatory process. The group planned to make their case in a press conference on Tuesday with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Brian Higgins (D-NY), and Tom Reed (R-NY) (to be held at 10:45 a.m. in Room 216 Hart Senate Office Building), as well as in numerous meetings on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Hill. (more…)

Hersman, NTSB Declare Shuster Amendment Poses Significant Threat to FAA Safety Rulemakings

Buffalo, New York- April 21, 2011 – In light of the national attention on recent aviation safety lapses due to air traffic controllers falling asleep during their shifts, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ highlighted the ongoing conference process on the FAA Reauthorization Bill as a referendum on aviation safety. In particular, the group is focused on the Shuster amendment, which seeks to protect certain carriers from stronger FAA regulations which are in progress as a result of ‘The Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act’, landmark aviation safety which was signed into law last August in the aftermath of Continental Flight 3407 and the regional airline safety issues that it exposed. (more…)