Press Releases

Buffalo, New York – April 21st, 2016 – The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ hailed the Senate for approving its version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill on Tuesday and not including a controversial amendment from Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota that sought to provide a shortcut around the higher entry-level pilot qualification standards enacted by the FAA back in 2013. Continuing its quest to achieve a true ‘One Level of Safety’ between the nation’s regional and mainline carriers, the group called on the House of Representatives to hold the line and resist any pressure from the Regional Airline Association as the bill moves across Capitol Hill. (more…)

Call on Majority Leader McConnell to Not Allow a Vote

Buffalo, New York – April 14th, 2016 – As the Senate worked through the FAA Reauthorization Bill on the floor, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced their strong opposition to a proposed amendment by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). The amendment which would allow entry-level regional airline first officers to receive flight hour credit for their initial training at their hiring airline, would effectively provide a shortcut around the stronger pilot qualification requirements enacted by the FAA in 2013 as a result of the regional airline safety bill unanimously passed by Congress in 2010 in the wake of Continental Flight 3407. (more…)

Relief from Higher Pilot Qualification Standards Would Benefit Bottom-Feeder Regional Airlines

Buffalo, New York – March 16th, 2016 – Just over one month removed from the 7th anniversary of the fatal crash that took the lives of their loved ones, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced that group members would be in attendance at Wednesday’s mark-up of the FAA Reauthorization Bill by the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The group remains on high alert for any potential legislative action that would explicitly or implicitly seek to water down stronger entry-level pilot qualification requirements for regional airline first officers that were unanimously passed by Congress back in 2010 in the wake of the tragic and preventable crash. (more…)

House T&I Committee Approves FAA Bill That Does Not Water Down Stronger Pilot Qualification Standards

Buffalo, New York – February 12th, 2016 – The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ issued the following statement to mark today’s 7th anniversary of the crash. The group also recognized the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for not including any amendments in the proposed FAA Reauthorization Bill that would shortcut more stringent entry-level pilot qualification requirements that came about as part of legislation that unanimously passed both houses of Congress back in 2010 in the aftermath of this tragedy. (more…)

Buffalo, New York – February 10th, 2016 – Just days prior to the 7th anniversary of the crash, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced that group members would be in attendance at Thursday’s mark-up of the FAA Reauthorization Bill (Aviation Innovation, Reform & Reauthorization (AIRR) Act) by the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The group remains on high alert to any potential amendments introduced in committee or on the floor that would water down stronger entry-level pilot qualification requirements for regional airline first officers. (more…)

Family Group Calls on T&I Committee to Resist Any Amendments to Water Down Higher Safety Standards

Buffalo, New York – February 5th, 2016 – Following Wednesday’s unveiling of the FAA Reauthorization Bill (Aviation Innovation, Reform & Reauthorization (AIRR) Act) by the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ recognized the chairmen of the full committee and subcommittee, Rep. Bill Shuster and Rep. Frank LoBiondo, for resisting industry pressure to water down recently-enacted stronger entry-level requirements for regional airline first officers. Along with the support of House Democrat leaders Rep. Peter DeFazio, the ranking member of the full T&I committee, and Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking member of the Aviation subcommittee, the group called on the ‘Big Four’ to fight against any efforts in committee or on the floor of the House to introduce amendments on behalf of the regional airlines. (more…)

Western NY Delegation Sends Strong Warning to Regional Airlines About Challenging Safety Initiatives

Buffalo, New York – February 3rd, 2016 – With ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ co-pilot Jeff Skiles and the entire Western New York congressional delegation locked arm-in-arm alongside them, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407 made a strong stand for regional airline safety as they descended upon Washington in conjunction with the 7th anniversary of the needless tragedy. The group was also buoyed by the support it received as its members conducted nearly 50 meetings on Capitol Hill calling on Congress to resist efforts by the Regional Airline Association and its lobbyist to water down stronger regional airline safety measures brought about by the passage of Public Law 111-216, ‘The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.’ (more…)

Buffalo, NY – January 29, 2016 – The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ will hold a press conference with ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ First Officer Jeff Skiles and members of the Western New York congressional delegation on Tuesday, February 2nd in advance of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Read more…

Experience Does Matter; Entry-Level Pilots Need More – Not Less – Hand Flying Prior to Being Hired by Regional Airlines

Buffalo, New York – January 21st, 2016 – Responding to a Department of Transportation Inspector General report that raised concerns about the increased reliance on automation in the cockpit and its potential effect on the manual flying skills of our nation’s commercial airline pilots, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ reminded Congress of the importance of preserving recently-enacted requirements that call for young pilots to attain higher levels of experience prior to being hired by regional airlines. (more…)

RAA Conveniently Forgets That Flight 3407 Pilot Was Initially Hired by Regional Airline with Only 600 Hours of Flight Time

Buffalo, New York – December 3rd, 2015 – Responding to a Regional Airline Association media campaign to pressure the FAA to roll back a safety rule that has been in effect for barely two years, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ rallied to the defense of a landmark aviation safety law that has resulted in our nation’s safest period of travel on regional carriers. (more…)