WASHINGTON-The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) released the following statement today in response to comments made by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood that furloughing front-line aviation safety professionals will begin this Sunday as part of sequestration.
"Sweeping furloughs that include front-line safety personnel will have an extremely negative impact on the aviation industry, our airlines, our members, and passengers. While pilots and controllers will continue to ensure a safe environment, the resulting delays and cancellations will translate into a significant financial toll on our airlines and their workers. At a time when our airlines are already struggling to be profitable, it is imperative that action be taken to address this issue as soon as possible.
"These furloughs will have a very real impact on all of us at every level. For the airlines, it means significant cuts in capacity and major financial losses. For pilots, it could span from challenges getting to work to losing their jobs. For passengers, it could mean a lot of time waiting in airports and not making it to their destinations on time.
In an additional release, the following statement was made: "This is a unique situation. Our entire aviation system will struggle to maintain normality due to furloughs of these essential workers. The economic viability of our country depends on this mode of transportation; everyone will be affected."
ALPA is also joining A4A and the RAA to pursue legal actions against the Department of Transportation and the FAA. The groups are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the agencies' Capacity Reduction Plan for sequestration and to authorize issue of an emergency stay to prevent implementation of that plan pending the court's review.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest airline pilot union, representing more than 50,000 pilots at 34 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.