Flight 3407 Families Receive Strong Support on 7th Anniversary Trip to DC

Western NY Delegation Sends Strong Warning to Regional Airlines About Challenging Safety Initiatives

Buffalo, New York – February 3rd, 2016

With ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ co-pilot Jeff Skiles and the entire Western New York congressional delegation locked arm-in-arm alongside them, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407 made a strong stand for regional airline safety as they descended upon Washington in conjunction with the 7th anniversary of the needless tragedy.  The group was also buoyed by the support it received as its members conducted nearly 50 meetings on Capitol Hill calling on Congress to resist efforts by the Regional Airline Association and its lobbyist to water down stronger regional airline safety measures brought about by the passage of Public Law 111-216, ‘The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.’

“To hear one of the most veteran members of Congress in Congresswoman Slaughter, side-by-side with such a steadfast supporter in Congressman Higgins, call our advocacy effort one of the most remarkable she has seen in all of her years of experience means so much to us,” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “And then to have Congressmen Reed and Collins, who have been there for us every step of way, taking a stand for us as well truly speaks to the bipartisanship of our cause and our effort.”

As the group made the rounds on Capitol Hill after the press conference, in preparation for the release of language for the FAA Reauthorization Bill by the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, it was heartened by interaction between Congressman Collins and House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster, which seemed to point towards Shuster’s support of a strong approach to regional airline safety standards advocated by the group in the Bill.

“From day one, our position on the FAA Reauthorization Bill is that it should at minimum preserve, if not even strengthen, the stronger regional airline safety measures brought about by our tragedy and the unanimous passage of Public Law 111-216,” stated John Kausner of Clarence Center, New York, who lost his twenty four year old daughter Ellyce.  “In particular, we are adamant that Congress does not touch the more stringent qualification standards for regional airline first officers.  Obviously you can never know for sure until the language is officially released, but we are encouraged that Chairmen Shuster and LoBiondo are going to be on our side on this one.  And we are extremely indebted to Congressman Collins for being so adamant for us on this issue with the Chairman.”

The group also highlighted the promise made by New York’s Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to block any legislation in the Senate that would water down or roll back any of the new safety regulations brought about by P.L. 111-216. “Obviously we can never forget back in 2010 the devastation we felt when a senator threatened to block the safety legislation we were fighting so passionately for on account of his pet corporation and its lobbyist,” stated Susan Bourque of East Aurora, New York, another sister of Beverly Eckert.  “Now it is comforting to know that this powerful weapon is ready and willing to be used on behalf of a citizen advocacy group like ours.  Once again, we are so fortunate to have two diligent and determined members in Senators Schumer and Gillibrand fighting for us in the Senate.”

Finally the group hearkened back to the presence of First Officer Skiles in Washington, and the continued support of him and Captain Sully Sullenberger on behalf of their cause.  They also cited the dramatic improvement in regional airline safety in the wake of Flight 3407.  In the eight years from 2001 to the crash in 2009, there were six fatal commercial airline crashes, all on regional carriers; in the nearly seven years since the crash, there have not been any.  “It continues to be convenient for our opposition to mis-characterize our position as being obsessed with having young pilots fly around in circles towing banners,” stated Scott Maurer of Palmetto, Florida, who lost his thirty year old daughter Lorin.  “We have always said that we do not consider ourselves as the experts, and certainly were not the ones who came up with the concept for the legislation calling for these new qualification requirements that was unanimously approved by Congress, nor the final regulation that was developed by the FAA.  But absolutely no one can question the credentials of Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles in this regard; who personify the idea that ‘Experience Matters,’ and have consistently defended the value of these higher experience requirements.  Most importantly, no one can argue with the results: since this very senseless crash, the comprehensive actions taken by Congress and the FAA, along with the increased scrutiny of regional airlines through the efforts of our group and numerous others, have resulted in an unprecedented era of regional airline safety.  It would be completely irresponsible to send the regionals any signal that a return to their previous short-cutting ways is acceptable.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Flight 3407 Families, Jeff Skiles, Western NY Delegation to Hold Tuesday Press Conference in DC on FAA Reauthorization

Buffalo, NY – January 29, 2016

The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ will hold a press conference with ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ First Officer Jeff Skiles and members of the Western New York congressional delegation on Tuesday, February 2nd in advance of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s expected introduction of the FAA Reauthorization Bill.  The group is making the trip to Washington one week in advance of the 7th anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, New York, which took the lives of all forty-nine on board as well as one man on the ground.  In addition to commemorating their loved ones who were lost in the crash, the group is expected to emphasize the importance of resisting Regional Airline Association efforts to water down stronger safety standards enacted in the wake of the tragedy.

A prepared statement will be available after the 10:00 a.m. Washington press conference and members of the group will be made available for comment. Please contact group media representative Takla Boujaoude via  takla.3407@gmail.com or 716-907-2425.

WHO:            The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’

WHAT:          Press Conference on FAA Reauthorization

WHEN:          10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016

WHERE:        Room SVC-209-08, Capitol Visitor Center

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Flight 3407 Families: IG Report Emphasizes Importance of Developing Manual Flying Skills Throughout a Pilot’s Career

Experience Does Matter; Entry-Level Pilots Need More – Not Less – Hand Flying Prior to Being Hired by Regional Airlines

Buffalo, New York – January 21st, 2016

Responding to a Department of Transportation Inspector General report that raised concerns about the increased reliance on automation in the cockpit and its potential effect on the manual flying skills of our nation’s commercial airline pilots, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ reminded Congress of the importance of preserving recently-enacted requirements that call for young pilots to attain higher levels of experience prior to being hired by regional airlines.

“While this report certainly challenges the FAA, airlines, and all stakeholders to have a heightened awareness of the manual flying skills of the population of those pilots already employed by commercial airlines, it also should serve as a stark reminder to those who are pressuring Congress to rush young pilots into regional airline cockpits using any shortcut possible,” stated John Kausner of Clarence Center, New York, who lost his twenty-year-old daughter Ellyce as Flight 3407 crashed less than a mile from her family’s home.  “Recent crashes, including Flight 3407, show the importance of pilots being properly prepared to react to adverse situations without the benefit of autopilot.  This underlines the value of entry-level pilots gaining more, not less, hand-flying experience on the front end of their careers prior to jumping into the highly automated cockpit of a regional airliner.  It should also raise concerns about the initial concept of training that is being put forth at this time, which seemingly overemphasizes training focused on the use of automation at the expense of manual flying skills.  All in all, this report strengthens the argument in support of the more stringent entry-level experience requirements unanimously passed by Congress back in 2010.”

The Inspector General’s study, which admonished the FAA for not doing enough to “ensure that air carriers sufficiently address pilot monitoring and manual flying skills,” cited five recent studies by the Flight Safety Foundation, NASA, and two FAA-commissioned panels.  These studies called into question the ability of today’s commercial airline pilot to maintain manual hand-flying capabilities, and whether FAA and the airlines are doing enough to promote this consensus best practice.  The findings and recommendations in these studies were supported by the results of the IG auditing multiple commercial airlines and finding inconsistencies in how they promoted and tracked training opportunities geared towards both pilot monitoring and manual flying.

“Last week marked the seven year anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson, and that only underscores the importance of manual flying skills being emphasized from Day One of a pilot’s development,” stated Susan Bourque of East Aurora, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “What Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles were able to accomplish is a testament to our mantra that ‘Experience Matters.’  As the House and Senate prepare to take up the FAA Reauthorization Bill in the upcoming weeks and months, we call on Senators Thune and Nelson, and Congressmen Shuster and DeFazio, to ensure that the higher safety standards for our nation’s regional carriers brought about by Flight 3407 and the regional airline tragedies that preceded it are preserved and strengthened by this bill.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

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Flight 3407 Families Call Out FAA on IG Report; Blast Airlines for Taking Shortcuts on Pilot Records

Further Proof That Voluntary Compliance Doesn’t Work

Buffalo, New York – August 25th, 2015

Responding to an audit released by the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s office detailing the progress of the Federal Aviation Administration in implementing an electronic pilot record database, mandated by the Airline Safety Act of 2010, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ had harsh words for both the FAA and commercial airlines, which were found to not be taking the appropriate interim steps to compliance.

“No matter how full of a plate FAA feels that it may have, we can never let anyone forget what happens when slippage is allowed to occur or when the ball is dropped when it comes to staying on top of every phase of the safety process” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “No one ever suggested that rule making was easy, but hopefully this IG report will create the pressure from Congress and the traveling public that FAA needs to get this project on the right track.  FAA’s 2023 target date is absolutely unacceptable.  Just as disappointing, however, is FAA’s failure to take the appropriate interim steps to ensure that airlines are maintaining the proper records in the meantime and requesting all available pilot records in the hiring process.  We are counting on Administrator Huerta and his staff to take immediate and decisive corrective actions on this report’s recommendations.”

The group also zeroed in on findings in the report that cast doubt on whether the nation’s commercial airlines were living up to their end of the deal on the FAA’s 2009 Call to Action, the Agency’s initial response to addressing some of the gaps in regional airline safety exposed by the NTSB’s investigation into the crash of Flight 3407.  At the time, the airlines pledged to request a pilot’s complete record in the hiring process, as opposed to the more cursory requirements of the Pilot Records Information Act (PRIA), which led to Colgan Air hiring the captain of Flight 3407 without knowledge of all his prior training deficiencies.

“Obviously FAA needs to step up its game, but we certainly can’t let the airlines continue to hide behind the FAA as they love to do either,” stated Scott Maurer of Palmetto, Florida, who lost his thirty year old daughter Lorin in the crash of Flight 3407 in February 2009.  “Once again, we have convincing proof that voluntary compliance is nothing more than lip service; if FAA doesn’t require something by rule, then you can bet your bottom dollar that some of the bottom feeders in the airline industry will allow critical safety responsibilities to slip through the cracks.  Meanwhile, these are the same airlines working behind the scenes with their lobbyists and senior safety officials on the FAA Reauthorization Bill and FAA Advisory Committees trying to get already-enacted critical safety measures watered down.  This cannot be allowed to happen, and six and a half years later, we remain as committed and vigilant as ever to ensuring that the mistakes that led to the needless tragedy of Flight 3407 are never allowed to repeat themselves.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Flight 3407 Families Trumpet Credentials of ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Pilot

Buffalo, New York – April 27th, 2015

With the expiration of the most recent FAA Reauthorization fast approaching, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ applauded the inclusion of Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger at safety hearings to be held by the Senate and House Aviation Subcommittees this week.  The family group also announced that it will be in attendance at both hearings, the Senate’s to be held on Tuesday at 2:30 pm, and the House’s to be held Thursday at 2:00 pm.

“As Senator Thune, Congressman Shuster, and the rest of their committee and subcommittee leadership consider this FAA Reauthorization Bill, it is absolutely critical that safety be put first above all else, especially in regards to industry pressure regarding our country’s increased qualification requirements for regional airline first officers” declared Scott Maurer of Brandon, Florida, who lost his thirty year old daughter Lorin.  “We are very pleased that Captain Sullenberger has been included in these very important safety discussions, as his decades of experience and perspective on the airline industry uniquely qualify him to shine a light on the importance of not rolling back or watering down any of the significant progress that has been made in regional airline safety since the very preventable tragedy of Flight 3407.  There is no substitute for experience, and the teamwork of Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles in accomplishing the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ speak to that in the strongest way possible.”

Tuesday’s Senate hearing, which is entitled “FAA Reauthorization: Aviation Safety and General Aviation” and will be held in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, is part of a recent series of hearings focused on the FAA Reauthorization.  In addition to Sullenberger, it will feature witnesses from the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, and Regional Airline Association.  On Thursday, the House’s Aviation Subcommittee will include Sullenberger on a safety roundtable, which will be held at 2:00 pm in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

“In the aftermath of Flight 3407, we are now going on six-plus years with no fatal crashes of U.S. domestic carriers, by far and away the safest such period in our nation’s aviation history.” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist. “This has been made possible by the unanimous Congressional passage and implementation of the Airline Safety Act of 2010, and the collective increased scrutiny and efforts of Congress, government agencies like FAA, DOT, and the NTSB, the airlines, pilots, and safety groups like ourselves.  To totally reverse course in this FAA Reauthorization and bend to lobbying pressure with concessions to the airlines would be completely irresponsible and send the wrong message to the industry that the old status quo of code share contracts and the ‘race to the bottom’ are once again acceptable.  And there can be no more well-qualified person to make this case than Captain Sullenberger; we look forward to being there with him as he stands up for ‘One Level of Safety'”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Buffalo, New York – March 3rd, 2015

Group Highlights Preserving Enhanced First Officer Qualification Requirements; Accelerating Pilot Records Database Implementation

In conjunction with this morning’s full committee hearing of the House of Representative’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure featuring FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and the topic of the upcoming FAA Reauthorization, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced that group members would be in attendance.  The group recently completed an outreach trip to Washington where they met with staffers on both sides of the Hill focusing on the group’s reauthorization priorities.

“For the memory of Elly and all our loved ones, it is important that the issue of regional airline safety not be forgotten during this reauthorization process,” declared John Kausner of Clarence Center, New York, who lost his twenty-four year old daughter Elly when Flight 3407 crashed less than a mile from their family’s home.  “As we saw with the news of the United Airlines safety memo last week, we must stay constantly vigilant, as complacency is our number one enemy.  The FAA, at the unanimous direction of Congress, has taken a major step in raising the bar in the preparation of regional airline first officers, both qualitatively with the creation of a comprehensive Airline Transport Pilot certification program, and quantitatively, with the requirement of additional hand-flying and other operating experience in the cockpit.  We call on Administrator Huerta, as well as Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio, to resist industry pressure to water down some of these requirements.  As we continue to emphasize ‘One Level of Safety’, a passenger from Scottsbluff, Nebraska deserves the same level of commitment to safety as a passenger flying out of an airport, such as Chicago O’Hare, that may be more likely to be serviced by a mainline carrier.”

In addition to preserving the enhanced first officer qualification requirements, the group also called on Huerta and congressional members to come up with an expedited timeline for the implementation of an electronic pilot records database.  This database, which would assist in the screening and hiring of pilot applicants, was necessitated by the revelation that Colgan Air hired the captain of Flight 3407 without full awareness of some of his previous training deficiencies.  Since FAA and DOT released a projected timeline for the rule making back in May 2013, the target date for a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to be published has slid from January 2015, to April 2015, to October 2015, and now most recently in a February 2015 tracking report, all the way to April 2016.

“Obviously we are extremely concerned with the repeated delays in this process,” stated Susan Bourque of East Aurora, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “No other family should ever have to suffer as we did on account of anything but one hundred percent transparency in the pilot screening and hiring process.  We are counting on Administrator Huerta and his agency to get this process back on track, and furthermore, call on congressional leadership in both houses to put some statutory deadlines on this undertaking as well.  This is an entirely common-sense reform that, six years after the crash, needed to be in place much, much sooner.”

Today’s hearing, entitled ‘Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization: Enabling a 21st Century Aviation System’, will be held at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Letter to Shuster, DeFazio Highlights Importance of Regional Airline Safety in FAA Reauthorization

Buffalo, New York – February 13th, 2015

In conjunction with Thursday’s sixth anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407, operated by regional carrier Colgan Air, a bipartisan House contingent led by Western New York Representatives Chris Collins and Brian Higgins showed their support for the group’s regional airline safety efforts with a letter to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Rep. Peter DeFazio.  The letter targets the committee’s efforts in the upcoming months to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and calls on the committee to continue its support for the implementation of P.L. 111-216, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, the landmark aviation safety legislation which was unanimously passed by both Houses in the aftermath of the crash.

“Once again, we are eternally grateful to Congressmen Collins and Higgins, along with Congressman Reed and Congresswoman Slaughter, as they continue to lead the charge for ‘One Level of Safety’ on behalf of the Western New York Community that was devastated by this very preventable tragedy,” stated John Kausner of Clarence Center, New York, who lost his twenty-four year old daughter Elly when Flight 3407 crashed less than a mile from their family’s home.  “While six years may have passed, it is very important that the airlines and their lobbyists, as well as any members who may be entertaining thoughts of introducing provisions that would weaken this law on behalf of the industry, recognize that we are as committed and determined as ever, and we look forward to being visible and active participants as this legislation is drafted in the upcoming weeks and months.”

The letter, which prioritizes the full-scale implementation of a new federal electronic pilot training records database as well as which speaks out against any weakening of new regional airline first officer qualification requirements, drew its support from members in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio region.  Reps. Peter King, Chris Gibson, Elise Stefanik, Eliot Engel, Jerrold Nadler, Paul Tonko, and Steve Israel of the New York delegation, Leonard Lance, Chris Smith, Bill Pascrell, and Albio Sires of the New Jersey delegation, Glenn Thompson and Michael Fitzpatrick of the Pennsylvania delegation, and Mike Turner, Steve Stivers, and Bill Johnson of the Ohio delegation all signed on.  Additionally, Rep. Dan Lipinsky of Illinois, an Aviation Subcommittee member, joined on the letter.

“We cannot say ‘Thank You’ enough to these members for standing alongside of us in the memory of our loved ones,” declared Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “Obviously the support reflects the region of the country which was most affected by this needless tragedy, but it is so important that Congress realizes that an incident like this could devastate a community anywhere in the United States, from Nebraska to Wyoming to Colorado.  Unfortunately, just as in the case of Flight 3407, all it takes is one regional carrier pushing the limits in how it chooses to conduct its day-to-day operations.  While there has been significant turnover in Congress during the six years subsequent to the crash, we look forward to conducting outreach and raising awareness of this critical issue on both sides of the Hill in the upcoming weeks and months.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

The text of the letter is included below.  Copies of the letter itself, complete with the member’s signatures, are available upon request.

February 12, 2015

The Honorable Bill Shuster

Chairman

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

2165 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Peter DeFazio

Ranking Member

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

2163 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio:

As your Committee considers reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we urge you to continue to support the implementation of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (PL.111-216) and resist pressure to undermine the enacted provisions.

The tragic crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 six years ago in Clarence Center, N.Y. spurred Congress to pass the largest overhaul to aviation safety in over forty years. This law encompassed the priorities that had been identified for years by the National Transportation Safety Board but had long been ignored. From pilot fatigue guidelines to new training methods for pilots, this law has helped achieve One Level of Safety among all airlines and gone a long way in preventing future accidents like that of Flight 3407.

Since passage of this legislation, the FAA has successfully implemented many of its provisions – with the most recent being a final rule requiring safety management systems for all Part 121 carriers. While these rules have been marked by the slow pace of rulemaking, they have been successful in encompassing the views of all stakeholders. One of the final remaining measures on the docket for implementation of this 2010 law is the creation of a Pilot Records Database. This database – which could have revealed Flight 3407 captain’s history of failed test flights – is critical in ensuring that airlines have full access to a pilot’s comprehensive record, including licenses, aircraft ratings, check rides, Notices of Disapproval and other proficiency tests for hiring purposes.

As the FAA continues to fulfill the mission set forth by Congress in 2010, we ask that the Committee – during consideration of an upcoming FAA Reauthorization – remain committed to upholding the spirit and letter of this aviation safety law.

Of particular concern are attempts to erode the pilot qualification standards – which mandate that a first officer hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, typically attained through 1,500 hours of flight time. Claims that changes to this rule are necessary to ameliorate a supposed pilot shortage ignore the meager salaries that first officers earn at regional airlines – the true reason these airlines have difficulty attracting qualified applicants. In addition, we ask that the timeline for the Pilots Records Database be accelerated and subject to clear implementation milestones.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and efforts to ensure safe travel aboard commercial airlines – and we look forward to working with you as the Committee considers the latest FAA Reauthorization.

Sincerely,

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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Buffalo, NY – February 3, 2015

The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ will hold a press conference with members of the Western New York congressional delegation, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Room SVC-209-08 of the Capitol Visitors Center as they kick off their advocacy efforts geared towards the upcoming FAA Reauthorization Bill.  The group is making the trip to Washington one week in advance of the 6th anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, New York, which took the lives of all forty-nine on board as well as one man on the ground.

A prepared statement will be available after the 11:30 a.m. Washington press conference and members of the group will be made available for comment.

Group media representative Takla Boujaoude,    takla.3407@gmail.com

WHO:            The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’

WHAT:          Press Conference on FAA Reauthorization

WHEN:          11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

WHERE:        Room SVC-209-08, Capitol Visitor Center

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Family Group to Conduct Outreach in Washington, DC on Wednesday

Buffalo, New York – February 2, 2015

With the six-year anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 fast approaching, Miracle on the Hudson pilot Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are scheduled to be in Buffalo today to join members of the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ in remembering those lost and also calling on congressional transportation leaders to hold the line against industry pressure to weaken regional airline safety measures that were unanimously passed by Congress in the aftermath of the crash.  The family group will then follow this event with a Wednesday trip to Washington where they will continue their advocacy for a true ‘One Level of Safety’ on both sides of Capitol Hill.

“Today’s event should send a strong message to all in Washington and in the commercial airline industry of our unwavering resolve to ensure that every passenger boarding a flight on a regional airline receives a commitment to safety that is on par with the likes of Southwest and Delta, something that our loved ones sadly did not receive,” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a noted 9/11 widow and activist.   “Captain Sullenberger’s presence serves as the strongest possible example that there is no substitute for experience in the cockpit, particularly when it comes to manual flying skills, and of course, Senator Schumer has been absolutely relentless in fighting for our cause every step of the way.  And with the six year anniversary coming up next week, everyone in Washington can expect to see a strong red-clad presence from our group on Wednesday, as we continue to remind the powers-that-be that we are as determined as ever to achieve this elusive ‘One Level of Safety’ between our nation’s regional and mainline carriers.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Today’s event in Buffalo is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and will be held at the Flight 3407 Memorial Site at 6038 Long Street, where Continental Connection Flight 3407 operated by Colgan Air crashed into the Wielinski family home.  The family group will be in Washington on Wednesday, where they are planning to conduct numerous advocacy meetings as well as a press conference with the Western New York congressional delegation.  Details will be forthcoming.

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Buffalo, New York – November 18, 2014

With Congress preparing to take up a new FAA Reauthorization effort in the next Congress, the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ announced their intentions to be involved in the process as they continue their crusade to achieve a true ‘One Level of Safety’ between the nation’s major and regional carriers.  They will kick off their efforts by attending Tuesday’s House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s hearing entitled, ‘FAA Reauthorization: Issues in Modernizing and Operating the Nation’s Airspace’.

“So many wonderful lives, including that of my beautiful daughter Lorin, were needlessly lost on a February night over five years ago, and we remain firmly committed to doing everything possible to hold regional airlines accountable for the same high safety standards that their major partners are adhering to,” declared Scott Maurer of Moore, South Carolina, who lost his thirty year old daughter Lorin in the crash.  “Passengers on our nation’s regional airlines deserve nothing less than the same investment in training and best practice safety management programs as those flying on the mainline carriers; in the case of Flight 3407, our loved ones were betrayed by a code share agreement between Colgan (now re-branded under the Endeavor Air umbrella), and Continental (now conveniently operating under the United name) that did not live up to this principle.

As we head into this reauthorization process, our mission is twofold; first, to preserve the hard-fought safety advances already made as a result of the landmark regional airline safety legislation passed in 2010, and secondly, to further those initiatives in the legislation as well as the recommendations made in the NTSB final report that have not yet been fully implemented, such as the Pilot Records Database.”

Tuesday’s hearing, expected to focus on the nation’s Air Traffic Control system, will include some of the most powerful lobbying forces in the industry, including Airlines for America President and CEO, Nicholas Calio, representing some of the nation’s largest carriers.  It will be held at 10 a.m. in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

“We got a first-hand look at how convoluted the reauthorization process can be back in the spring and summer of 2010,” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a noted 9/11 widow and activist.  “Everyone has their own agenda in terms of what they are trying to promote and what they are trying to block, all in their best interests of course, and we certainly saw some of the heaviest hitters when it comes to influencing the process in full effect.  We certainly cannot match the financial wherewithal of some of these powerful entities, but no one has a cause as pure as ours, and hopefully Senator Thune and Congressman Shuster will do the right thing and make sure that safety is the top priority at every turn as this sweeping legislation is drafted.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude     takla.3407@gmail.com   716-907-2425

Tags: Blog by Jillian Gustafson
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