Update Regarding FAA Inspector Furloughs

Details: Published: October 01, 2013

As of today, nearly 3,000 aviation safety inspectors represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) are off the job due to the government shutdown that went into effect at midnight. As a result, the following critical safety functions are not being performed by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors:

Surveillance of aircraft, pilots and domestic and foreign repair stations have been halted, leaving aircraft maintenance and aviation operations unchecked.

In-flight cockpit inspections have been suspended, meaning aviation safety inspectors are not in the air overseeing aircraft, pilots, flight crew members, and in-flight operations and procedures.

Ramp inspections are not being conducted at airport gate facilities nationwide, increasing the probability of risks not being identified between destination points.

Aviation safety inspectors are not on duty to respond in the event of an aircraft accident, limiting the ability of the agency to conduct inspections or investigations following an accident.

The FAA has only a skeleton crew of 300 office managers nationwide who will stay on the job as a skeleton crew to respond to emergencies. “The furloughing of aviation safety inspectors who police our skies and ensure the safety of the flying public is a risky game,” said PASS National President Mike Perrone. “There is no doubt that the removal of the rigorous oversight performed by these employees on a daily basis will have a significant impact on this country’s aviation system. Furthermore, forcing these employees off the job will result in a considerable backlog of oversight work they will have to perform when they return to work. Congress must put partisan politics aside before their bickering does serious damage to our aviation system.”

For more information or questions, please contact Kori Blalock Keller at (202) 293-7277 x110.

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For 36 years, PASS has represented more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures and perform quality analyses of the aviation systems. For more information, visit the PASS website at www.passnational.org.