Rick Allen: “I thank Senator Hutchison, who has been an outstanding leader on the issue of aviation safety and better airline quality…”

“I thank Senator Hutchison, who has been an outstanding leader on the issue of aviation safety and better airline quality for many years. This is not something that Senator Hutchison first started worrying about after this terrible disaster of September 11. She has been working on this issue way ahead of time. If more people had listened to Senator Hutchison years ago, some of the concerns we are now finally addressing would have been addressed. I join with many of my colleagues in thanking Senator Hutchison and all those who worked together on this package to provide some stabilization for air transportation. Yesterday we had hours and hours of hearings with Secretary Mineta, who all of us recognize did a great job in coordination with the FAA, in grounding all flights. They saved lives. They saved lives here in America with that quick decision. However, without that decision in response to the terrorist attack, our airlines would be in much better financial shape today. We are now in a different paradigm, a different world. I have heard comments from my colleagues: Why is the Federal Government involved in this versus other businesses? The main reason is, the Federal Government controls the air, and the FAA grounded all the airplanes. It actually said: You must stop business. That decision has caused losses for the industry.”