Thursday
Apr102008
Aviation safety laws very much up in the air
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security hearing on “Aviation Safety Oversight” examined violations made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding their allowance of unsafe airplanes to take to the air. Senators questioned a panel of witnesses that included the much criticized Nicholas Sabatini, FAA Associate Administrator for Safety.
The argument against the FAA was spearheaded by a myriad of violations committed by Southwest Airlines (SWA). Significant debate arose over the FAA’s oversight of the aviation industry, particularly how to eradicate “cozy” relationships between FAA employees and airline companies. Many on the Committee felt that the FAA had acted more like a business than as a government agency, and had passed planes they should not have passed as a result of strong relationships between each group.
Sabatini argued that under his watch the FAA has maintained an “unprecedented aviation safety record.” He mentioned that despite such success, his administration is still striving to make planes even safer. Also, Sabatini’s defense described the problems that took place at SWA as being “isolated” and not “systematic.” These feelings were not echoed by the majority of the Committee.
The Committee was also concerned about the rapidly increasing rate of retired FAA plane inspectors and how to efficiently replace such employees. To fix some of the problems the Committee found with the FAA, the possibilities of unannounced safety checks for departing planes, a revamped Customer Service Initiative (CSI), and a new method for anonymously reporting violations made by safety investigators from their peers were discussed.
The argument against the FAA was spearheaded by a myriad of violations committed by Southwest Airlines (SWA). Significant debate arose over the FAA’s oversight of the aviation industry, particularly how to eradicate “cozy” relationships between FAA employees and airline companies. Many on the Committee felt that the FAA had acted more like a business than as a government agency, and had passed planes they should not have passed as a result of strong relationships between each group.
Sabatini argued that under his watch the FAA has maintained an “unprecedented aviation safety record.” He mentioned that despite such success, his administration is still striving to make planes even safer. Also, Sabatini’s defense described the problems that took place at SWA as being “isolated” and not “systematic.” These feelings were not echoed by the majority of the Committee.
The Committee was also concerned about the rapidly increasing rate of retired FAA plane inspectors and how to efficiently replace such employees. To fix some of the problems the Committee found with the FAA, the possibilities of unannounced safety checks for departing planes, a revamped Customer Service Initiative (CSI), and a new method for anonymously reporting violations made by safety investigators from their peers were discussed.
tagged 
Aviation Safety, CSI, FAA, Sabatini, oversight in News/Commentary
Aviation Safety, CSI, FAA, Sabatini, oversight in News/Commentary
Homeland Security Secretary Blasts Arizona's New Immigration Law
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who served as Arizona's governor prior to joining the Obama administration, voiced her concern Monday over a controversial immigration bill passed in her former home state and recently signed into law.
"That ... is a misguided law," Napolitano told ABC News.
On Friday, President Barack Obama expressed a similar sentiment.
"The recent efforts in Arizona ... threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness we cherish as Americans as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keep us safe," Obama said during a naturalization ceremony for immigrants serving in the U.S. military.
Critics charge that the legislation, which allows police officers to request proof of citizenship if an individual raises suspicions over his status in the country, could lead to a wave of civil rights violations.
During a separate appearance Monday before the Aero Club of Washington, a D.C. based aviation organization, Napolitano said that the administration will use the 90 days before the law goes into place to evaluate the bill in depth and possibly take steps to counter the legislation.
"The President has directed the Justice Department to look into what challenges should be made," said Napolitano.