By a wide bipartisan margin, the House of Representatives today passed the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
The congresswoman, along with a bipartisan group of her colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the bill in July following hearings and discussions surrounding the tragic crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 in February of this year.
“Passage of this bill is a victory for airline passengers across West Virginia and the nation,” said Capito. “These are common-sense reforms that will improve pilot training, enhance safety protocols and create a more uniform set of standards across the airline industry. I applaud the work of my colleagues and I’m very pleased to see this bill pass the House.”
The legislation approved this afternoon includes provisions to improve pilot screening procedures, boost pilot training and establish a more streamlined records database on pilot training and safety. The bill will also establish an Air Carrier Safety and Pilot Training Task Force to recommend best safety practices and monitor airline implementation.
The Capito-sponsored bill also includes a new mandate that Internet-based ticketing agencies disclose the air carrier serving each segment of a booked flight. This move stemmed from concerns that passengers on Flight 3407 purchased tickets for a Continental Airlines flight when the route was actually operated by Colgan Airlines.
Still other components include updated fatigue management rules and a provision calling for the complete implementation of National Transportation Safety Board recommendations for airline safety.
A one pager about the legislation is available here.
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