Bill Would Apply Same Rest Rules to Cargo Pilots as Pilots of Passenger Planes to Prevent Dangers Posed by Fatigue

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced the Safe Skies Act, legislation to ensure that America’s cargo plane pilots are sufficiently rested and alert before they fly.

“This is a commonsense bill to ensure that pilots of passenger planes and cargo planes are flying under the same standard,” Senator Boxer said. “We must close this dangerous loophole so that every pilot gets adequate rest before they get in the cockpit.”

“Whether flying a passenger or a cargo plane, pilot fatigue can have tragic consequences,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That’s why we need consistent rules throughout the aviation system to help prevent any tragedies. This bill will extend current FAA pilot fatigue regulations to cargo pilots so they have the rest they need to stay safe.”

Senator Markey said, “Safety in our skies is paramount. Since passenger and cargo planes share the same airspace and airports, both passenger and cargo pilots should be well rested.  That’s why I support this important legislation, which ensures parity in passenger and cargo pilot fatigue rules. I look forward to working with my colleague to pass this critical legislation.”

“Cargo pilots are subject to the same work requirements, stresses and fatigue as commercial passenger pilots, and for their safety and the safety of our skies, they should require the same rest requirements,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This measure will close an unacceptable loophole that has created separate systems for cargo and passenger pilots – and reduce avoidable risk in the air. Fatigue is just as much a risk to pilots transporting people as it is to those transporting freight. Applying uniform standards to ensure that all pilots are well rested will help ensure that our skies are safe and tragedies are avoided.”

“All pilots should be well-rested when they’re in the air,” Senator Franken said. “Unfortunately, the improved pilot fatigue rules adopted last year left out cargo pilots, and those pilots may still be on duty up to 16 hours in a day. The Safe Skies Act makes sure that planes are flying safe by applying fatigue rules uniformly to both passenger and cargo pilots.”

After the tragic 2009 crash of Colgan Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, Congress passed legislation by Senators Boxer and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) that directed the Department of Transportation (DOT) to write new rules to address pilot fatigue. Under the new requirements – which went into effect in January 2014 – pilots of passenger planes will be limited to flying either eight or nine hours, depending on the start time. Airlines will be required to provide pilots with a minimum of 10 rest hours, with the opportunity for at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.  

However, pilots of cargo planes were left out of the DOT’s new rest rules, allowing cargo pilots to be on duty for up to 16 hours a day, 60 percent longer than other pilots. The Safe Skies Act would close this dangerous loophole and ensure that all pilots are flying under the same standards.  

The bill is endorsed by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), the Independent Pilots Association (IPA) and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA).

“When a large plane flies over your house in the middle of the night, it doesn’t matter whether it’s carrying cargo or passengers, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican,” said Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. “The danger is all the same if the pilots are fatigued.”

“Senator Boxer has shown long-term leadership by once again championing legislation to ensure that the FAA’s flight duty and rest requirements apply equally to all-cargo airlines,” said IPA President, Captain Robert Travis. “Her unflinching commitment will end the cargo carve out and bring Part 117 back in line with Congress’s original intent, one level of safety for U.S. aviation.”
 

Senators Boxer, Cantwell and Klobuchar introduced similar legislation in the last Congress.

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