Good news for Flyers: The FAA will not shut down Sunday due to lack of funds. Operating funds till the September 30th close of the 2010 fiscal year have been tacked on to a bill going through the Senate today.
The main forse of the legislation stems from the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster, and as part of the FAA legislation goes before the Senate on July 30 2010. The bill attempts to raise the quality of pilot performance, a problem which was a contributing factor in the Continental Buffalo-Niagara crash, among others.
These safety measures have been lobbied for almost a year and a half; and will require the FAA to limit pilot scheduling based on sleep/fatigue research; increase required minimum flight experience for pilots; strengthen pilot training; develop pilot mentoring programs; require disclosure of airlines at point of sale so passengers can see if the carrier is a major or regional carrier.
