This is Scott Sherrin with a special
hotline update for Wednesday, September 12 at 1700 Mountain Time.
America West has postponed resumption
of scheduled service until Thursday at 0900 Mountain Time. Diverted
aircraft may operate from outstations today if the FAA allows.
We expect the airport security measures
for restarting the airline to include:
*All airports will have to pass a
security certification prior to resuming airline operations.
*All aircraft will be searched prior to flight, either manually
or with canine units.
*Metal detectors will have increased sensitivity and expect all
passengers and crewmembers to be subject to wand screenings and
pat-down searches.
As part of the order allowing service
to resume, the FAA is requiring each airline to provide its Certificate
Management Office with a detailed plan for resumption, including
information on proposed operations and repositioning of aircraft.
Waivers may be granted for MEL items, certain ADs, and flight time
limitations. HOWEVER, ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH WAIVERS IS STRICTLY AT
THE FLIGHT CREW’S DISCRETION.
Per the chief pilot’s office, cockpit
jump seat privileges are temporarily limited to only U.S. certificated
pilots employed by domestic Part 121 carriers. No pilots from non-U.S.
carriers, no flight deck authorization card riders and no pilots
employed by Part 135 carriers will be authorized to use an America
West jump seat.
Crew Scheduling has asked that pilots
NOT call Crew Scheduling directly – they will contact you. This
applies to commuting pilots, pilots on layovers when the FAA ground
stop was issued, and pilots who were off duty. If you need to reach
Crew Scheduling because of an emergency that prevents you from flying,
please call the crew locator service at 1-800-833-8602 and leave
a detailed message. Be sure to include your name, P number and a
callback number.
As we return to normal flight duties,
it is extremely likely that our children, our spouses and significant
others will likely have major issues and worries with us as pilots
returning to the flight deck. America West does have an EAP plan
in effect and you and your entire family can use this plan for counseling.
Please call 1-800-837-4292 if you live in Arizona, or 1-800-321-2843
anywhere else to make use of these benefits.
* * * * *
ALPA President Duane Woerth issued
the following statement this afternoon:
Yesterday was, by any account, the
darkest day in the history of commercial aviation.
I know that I speak for all of our pilots in offering condolences
to the families of the United and American crews we tragically lost,
to the families of the passengers and the other victims of those
horrible acts, and to all Americans who were touched by yesterday’s
events.
I know, too, that I speak for all of you when I say that airline
pilots are outraged by yesterday’s acts of terrorism -that four
commercial airline flights were used as pawns in this unspeakable
plot.
Yesterday’s atrocities cannot – and will not – go unanswered. I
have been working closely with our government leaders to let them
know that I will devote the full resources of ALPA to assist in
their investigation of these acts.
Furthermore, yesterday I convened our Security Committee, our national
officers and staff and conferred through the night with key government
officials — most specifically, from the Department of Transportation,
FAA, Transport Canada and the FBI. Together we have worked to develop
emergency security directives for the short- and long-term, to protect
our flight crews and passengers and to return our industry back
into service.
Earlier today, we reported to you that the FAA had issued a special
authorization to the airlines to resume limited flights.
Since then, we have been meeting and working with the FAA to determine
additional security measures necessary to resume operations. The
FAA has now issued new requirements to airlines and airport operators
outlining these new security enhancements. Some of these measures
are:
1) An increased numbers of Federal
Air Marshals on aircraft and law enforcement personnel in airports;
2) Enhanced screening of passengers and inspection of baggage;
3) Significantly tighter restrictions on ramp access;
4) The prohibition of knives of any sort on aircraft;
5) Temporary elimination of mail or cargo transport on passenger
aircraft; and a
6) Mandatory search of all aircraft prior to passenger boarding.
Transport Canada is also expected to issue revised security requirements
in the near term.
Inasmuch as we have reached an agreement with the FAA on these additional
steps to enhance security and to make air travel as safe as humanly
possible at this time, we are hereby advising our pilots to return
to work at the call of their companies and to put our national aviation
transportation system back on line.
We are urging our members, that in doing so, they not hesitate to
exercise captain’s authority to the fullest extent to ensure the
safety of each and every flight. ALPA’s Security Committee will
issue a detailed Security Bulletin containing more specific recommendations
to our members in the very near future to maximize the security
of our cockpits, aircraft and industry.
I pledge to you that we will continue to work with the government
and with our carriers to make changes to further improve the system
as the days and months proceed. With this improved system in place,
and with the commitment to monitor the flying environment by all
of us who are entrusted with its care, we are going back to work.
Stay vigilant, and fly safe.
* * * * *
We will update this hotline again
Thursday, September 13. Thanks for listening.
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