Full-page ad from pilots implies safety lapses

The US Airline Pilots Association, which represents pilots at US Airways, caused quite a media stir last week when it essentially accused the company’s management of playing fast and loose with safety by pressuring pilots to take on less fuel for their flights. The pilot group took out a full-page ad in USA Today, publicly castigating US Airways for allegedly trying to intimidate pilots who insist on fueling up their aircraft to a level beyond what management advises. FAA rules require all aircraft to carry enough fuel for long in-air delays or emergency reroutings – enough to provide 60 to 90 minutes of flying beyond the scheduled flight time -- but the airline reportedly called in for private talks several pilots who loaded enough extra fuel for 10 or 15 minutes’ more flying than that. The pilots’ ad accused management of “a program of intimidation to pressure your captain to reduce fuel loads,” and noted that it is the pilot who has the ultimate authority for all things that concern his flight. Eight pilots and the union have filed complaints with the FAA, although US Airways officials quickly denied charges that it was sending planes up without sufficient fuel to meet any situation. But the pilots’ charges did create a lot of media interest, with repeated airings on news channels and even an entire episode of Larry King devoted to the controversy.