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ALPA Wants Extended Captain’s Authority

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Source: Archived Content

Date: Aug 15, 2003

Check this out from today's AFA E-Lines:

Today, ALPA petitioned the FAA for a rule change that would extend the authority of a pilot in command (captain’s authority) to cover the period immediately before and after the actual duration of a flight.

The current FAA definitions limit captain’s authority from the time the aircraft doors are closed, to when they are opened at the end of a flight. The proposed rule change would extend that to cover the period of time that the captain is "on duty," essentially from the time he reports to prepare the aircraft, until he is released from duty at the end of the flight.

Pilots contend that they need the expanded period of authority to deal with security matters. For example, if a passenger is behaving suspiciously or disruptively, the regulations do not give the captain legal authority to overrule a gate agent’s decision to board the passenger. The captain can remove the passenger after the fact, but the pilots believe it would be far safer not to permit the passenger to board. Another example is the case where cutting tools were found on an airliner before takeoff. Officials from the company overruled the captain’s request for a bomb-sniffer dog, although the aircraft was manually searched.

With the September 11 anniversary coming up soon, it will be interesting to see the FAA's reaction to this petition.  I was quite surprised to learn from this announcement that the FAA regulations do not allow the captain the legal authority to overrule a gate agent.  It seems so illogical that I just assumed (mistakenly) that the FAA would always without question permit a captain to overrule the agent.  No offense gate agents, but the present situation just seems just plain ridiculous.

If anyone should carry authority as to who does or does not fly onboard the aircraft because of security concerns, it should be the employees onboard; namely the cockpit and flight attendant crew.  You know, the folks stuck inside the cabin with a potential security threat.

And if they want a bomb-sniffing dog?  Why the hell not?  They ought to have one onboard every flight.

"Sir, again, please sit down!!!"

[grumble, grumble, swear, grumble]

"Sir, for the last time, please SIT DOWN!"

[more grumble, grumble, swear, grumble, swear, swear]

"That's it.  I've had enough!  Fido, SIC BALLS!!"

[Grrrrr, arf!  Grr!]

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