I am more than a little disturbed by the news report from Airline Transport Intelligence News below:
FAA today said 30 airlines failed to respond with written commitments to use best practices as part of a "Call To Action" scheme launched by administrator Randy Babbitt earlier this year. Babbitt's requests of carriers was driven by enhanced scrutiny of US airlines following the fatal crash of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 in February. During public hearings after the crash questions were raised about pilot fatigue and training at regional airlines.
These may be small carriers worried about costs of FOQA and such, but I am sure they could afford a letter and a stamp to make a response. This unwillingness to step up without the forcing factor of goverment regulation is bad for everybody. It makes everybody worry about the commitment to safety these airlines have, and it encourages lawmakers to put forward new laws that may ultimately be uniforcable and only provide the illusion of progress.
