On the recordFebruary 16, 2011
I appreciate my colleague's concerns about how supplemental carriers have been treated in the FAA's rulemaking process dealing with pilot flight and duty time. As you are aware, modernizing the pilot flight and duty regulations has been one of the highest priorities of the FAA as well as many in Congress. In fact, when H.R. 5900 was signed into law last year by the President, Congress mandated the FAA complete the final rule overhauling these regulations by August 1 of this year. I agree that all the regulated parties affected by this and other rulemakings should be treated fairly. I am willing to work with Senator Inhofe, Senator Murkowski, and other interested parties to ensure supplemental carriers receive fair and thorough consideration, and that their industry data be considered, before any new rules for those carriers are promulgated.
