Pilots Bill of Rights 2

[wbpace]

This is about politics. That's is almost as dangerous a topic as discussing religion, which, in these modern times, can turn friends into enemies in an instant. But because this is of interest to many of us here, I thought I'd take a chance and send an alert for anyone interested.

If you have not heard, just a couple of days ago the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) attempted to torpedo the Pilots Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR2) that is currently pending in the Senate, by sending all US Senators a scathing, and reportedly misleading, letter of opposition to the Act. It may get voted on as early as tomorrow as an amendment to the transportation bill that is currently pending.

I despise last minute backstabbing tactics like this, so I just called Senators Boxer and Feinstein to express my support. It took me all of 10 minutes for both calls. If you are at all interested in having your voice heard (including offsetting my support if you disagree), you should contact your senator today to express your opinion.

To see what EAA has to say about this development, look here: http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/2015-eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-25-2015-eaa-fires-back-at-alpa

To get the phone number of your congress-critter, look here: https://www.congress.gov/members

O'Bill

 

[mhflyit]

AOPA link:
https://app3.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=AOPA&Definition=ContactLegislators&IssueID=9034&submit=Take+Action

 

[964SS]

I side with ALPA.
I agree the current 3rd class medical is a joke. However, my buddy, an AME, has discovered many potential conditions that would be a threat to safety during these "physicals". The 3rd class physical, and for that matter 2nd and 1st, need to be revamped. I'm a glider pilot also, and still can't understand why we are exempt from the medical.
Stick to your guns ALPA.

 

[soneraii]

In the 10 years that the Light Sport rules have been in effect allowing qualified pilots to fly on a driver's license there has been one accident that may have been prevented had the pilot taken a third class medical. Only ONE! That data is straight from the FAA Administrators (Huerta) mouth during his forum at Oshkosh in my presence. During those years there have been several airline pilots die in the cockpit that had current first class physicals, which they take every 6 months! Happens a couple to three times a year.

I have been flying professionally for 40 years on a First Class Medical and it is a joke. Any physical that doesn't require blood work for starters isn't much of a physical.

I don't need anymore than a good "self certification" and a drivers license to fly my Cub around my very rural area with virtually no traffic and no threat to anything on the ground. Period. With my 40 years flying and 20,000 hours I think I know whether I am safe or not physically to climb in a very light airplane for a 20 minute flight 3 times a week.

If the pilots bill of rights does not pass it is only because of politics and money. Of course they go hand in hand. This is not about common sense. I urge everybody to call the senators today, it only takes 5 minutes and ask for their support.

One more thing. ALPA leadership are a bunch of morons, obviously they are all about politicians and money. The leadership is not interested in flying airplanes because if they were they wouldn't be holding those political positions, they would instead be out flying the line. I just read that 9 out of 10 of their members support the pilots bill of rights 2 and can't figure out why their leadership sent the letter out that they did.

Kevin

 

[soneraii]

Oh, one more thing. Anybody consider that AME's might be bad mouthing the abolishment of the third class physical because it is an easy no brainer source of REVENUE!

Kevin

 

[Raceair]

Right On, Kevin……...I have contacted my local Senators. We need this to go thru. It has been dragged out way too long. I agree…when 'I' feel that I am not safe to fly anymore, "I" will make that decision…….not some politician.

 

[964SS]

That's probably generally true Kevin, but my buddy either does them at cost or free for the most part.
An example of what he discovered was my dad's non-hodgkins lymphoma via palpation. He's also discovered vision deficiencies that due to their advanced state had to have been either missed or "dismissed" by other AME's. Other examples would be undiagnosed hypertension, further investigative questions of frequent headaches have lead to these airmen discovering a brain lesion, etc.
The medical process needs to be revamped, and not eliminated.
Another point to note is this is the only time some of these airmen ever see a doctor.

 

[wafer]

I too have contacted my Senators, to include concerns on the ALPA memo. I find the ALPA memo preposterous. Like every 52,000 members correctly self certify before each flight, let alone do not lie on what they tell the FAA on their medical? Please. I assume most ALPA do report correctly. But for the ALPA to make the sweeping "endangering the skies" argument is absurd when LSA has had a respectable track record.

 

[Bil4381]

I'm not so sure I buy the argument that pilots only see their AME. If you are well why would you be seeing physicians.
Now in my case I have several serious conditions and therefore several specialists plus a GP.
Even so if I had know what declaring type II diabetes meant in terms of tests and report and $$$, ... Further never did one of the regulatory tests /reports ever even remotely help me medically.
The very best thing I have is a portable GS meter in my flight bag. It's really the only thing in the preflight that tells me anything useful.
Knowledge is power; know thyself
Bill E