Proposed FFDO Funding Cuts Threatens Airline Security ALPA president
Capt. Lee Moak yesterday issued the following statement expressing adamant
opposition to the budget cuts to the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program
contained in the administration’s proposed FY14 federal budget.
“It is beyond belief that, at the same time the
administration’s budget proposal recognizes the value of risk-based aviation
security, it proposes to eliminate funding for the Federal Flight Deck Officer
program, a proven and cost-effective tool to enhance risk-based security across
the air transportation system.
“The FFDO program is staffed by
thousands of fully trained and deputized ALPA pilot volunteers who already make
great personal and professional sacrifices to secure the nation’s flight decks.
“Eliminating funding support for this
well-established and extremely effective program flies in the face of the FFDO
program’s overwhelming success and the administration’s own recognition in its
budget proposal of the value of a risk-based approach to aviation security. ALPA
has activated its more than 47,000 U.S. airline pilot members to voice stalwart
support for the contribution that FFDO program makes to achieving risk-based
aviation security.
“When the president proposed to cut FFDO funding in
half for FY2013, Congress rightly rejected the misguided idea. ALPA urges in the
strongest possible terms that Congress reject this budget proposal and fully and
appropriately fund the FFDO program so that passengers, crews, and cargo
shippers can benefit from its proven and clear contribution to securing air
transportation.”
See ALPA’s
Call to Action to oppose elimination of funding for the FFDO program. |