Delta Air Lines has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reinstate its Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) covering pre-merger Delta pilots. The revised program mirrors an existing Northwest Airlines pilot ASAP program.
“Reestablishing our pilot ASAP program has been a top priority for Delta, ALPA and the FAA, said Steve Dickson, Delta senior vice president – Flight Operations. “Safety always will be our highest core value, and programs like ASAP are critical to identifying, understanding and correcting safety events to ensure a safe and reliable work environment and travel experience for our employees and customers,’ he added.
ASAP was created to improve flight safety by providing greater insight into the total flight operations environment through the systematic identification and resolution of potential hazards and human errors, with the full cooperation of all interested parties. In addition to the reinstated pilot ASAP,
Delta has formal ASAP programs in place for its dispatchers and Technical Operations employees, and other safety reporting programs for flight attendants and ground employees. Delta also will continue ASAP programs currently covering pre-merger Northwest pilots, dispatchers and load planners, and other safety reporting programs for its other work groups.
Captain Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, said: “Through a safety-focused approach and a professional working relationship with Delta Flight Operations and the FAA, we were able to mutually craft a solution to immediately begin the process to reinstate ASAP at Delta. I’m confident that Delta’s new ASAP will set the gold standard for ASAP programs throughout the airline industry.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is unhappy that Aviation Safety Action Programs (ASAP) have recently been discontinued by some major air carriers, including American Airlines and US Airways.
“The Safety Board is concerned that these proactive, voluntary disclosure programs, in which pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers become additional ‘eyes and ears’ dedicated to aviation safety, are no longer available at several major air carriers,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. “ASAP programs are a critical tool for addressing potential safety issues.”
Former Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell urged air carriers and labor unions to resolve their differences and keep voluntary reporting programs in place, stressing their importance and value to aviation safety.
“Using safety as a chip at the bargaining table is unconscionable,” Sturgell said. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to separate safety from labor issues. These voluntary reporting programs are crucial to safety, and it’s disappointing to see them cast aside at a time when they’re needed most.”
Sturgell’s call for action followed the recent failure by US Airways and its pilots to agree on continuing involvement in the carrier’s ASAP. Previously, Delta, American Airlines, and their pilots could not agree to continue ASAP participation.
American Airlines, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and the FAA recently implemented a cabin crew ASAP at the major US air carrier.
The Department of Transportation, FAA and the Flight Safety Foundation hailed the reinstating of ASAP for Delta pilots.
“ASAP has proven to be a valuable tool in helping to spot possible safety problems before they become accidents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We hope the other carriers will follow Delta’s lead and realize just how critical voluntary programs are to commercial aviation safety.”
“We are extremely pleased that Delta pilots are once again providing essential safety data,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Peggy Gilligan. “ASAP gives us invaluable insight into the day-to-day activities of people in our aviation system.”
FSF President and CEO William R. Voss “applauded everyone involved in this for resolving old differences and for re-instating this ASAP, I congratulate everyone for being persistent and putting safety above all other considerations.
“The Foundation has been very supportive of these vital safety programs and distressed to see a number of airlines allow them to lapse during contract negotiations between management and labor.
“We hope that the reinstatement of the Delta Air Lines program will encourage other airlines and labor organizations to renew stalled discussions and to restart their ASAP programs.
“In order to maintain and even improve on the stellar safety record in the US, the industry must continue to have access to the data that is provided from ASAP,” Voss believes.