US Airways Pilots Allege That Management, Ignoring Past Safety Practices, Resorts To Pilot Intimidation in an Effort to Reduce Fuel Cost

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(EMWNews)–US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) President Stephen Bradford, on

behalf of the Association, has released a memorandum to the US Airways

Pilots which advises them of Management’s

decision to initiate what the pilots consider discipline in the form of

unapproved “training.”

This ‘training’ is to be given to the Airline’s most senior Captains

who, according to USAPA, have been singled-out for exercising their

judgment on determining fuel loads for their flights. The “training”

includes simulator instruction which, if not successfully completed,

could subject the pilot to a loss of his/her license. In USAPA’s

view, the threat is clear: adding fuel could expose a pilot to

career-ending license action.

USAPA Spokesman, Captain James Ray, stated that in most cases the Senior

Captains were selected for adding what equates to approximately 10 to 15

minutes of additional arrival fuel on transoceanic flights. Under the

applicable standards of the Federal Aviation Administration, the

adequacy of fuel loads is considered a critical safety determination

that is left to the Captain’s discretion.

The memorandum to the Pilots was sent after the Board of Pilot

Representatives for the US Airline Pilots Association conducted a

meeting on the matter. The memorandum stated, “Captain’s

Authority and the right to make decisions based on good, sound judgment

should never be subjected to the winds of economics.”

“Making decisions on whether or not to hand

out peanuts is one thing; mandating fuel loads that our Captains are

uncomfortable with, is another,” said USAPA

President Stephen Bradford. President Bradford went on to say, “US

Airways pilots are committed to exercising their ‘Captain’s

Authority,’ as granted by the Federal

Aviation Administration, and will always ensure a fuel load that will

safely fly our passengers to their destination, with all the reserves

necessary to handle any contingencies related to the flight.”

USAPA represents over 5,000 US Airways pilots in seven domiciles across

the United States.

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