U.S. Department of Transportation Mandates Two-Person Train Crews, Echoing Aviation’s Two-Pilot Standard

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DoT) latest regulation mandating two-person crews for most freight train operations has reignited discussions about the importance of maintaining similar standards in the aviation industry. Released on Tuesday, the new rule has been met with approval from pilot unions across the United States, who argue that the safety principles guiding rail operations are equally applicable to air travel.

Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), commended the DoT’s decision, emphasizing that the commitment to safety should be paramount, regardless of whether it’s on the rails or in the skies. He stated, “The DOT has once again put safety first and re-enforced its core belief that two-person crews are critical for the safe operations of trains and planes.”

U.S. regulations currently stipulate that two pilots must man the flight deck of any airplane certified for more than one pilot, including large and commuter category airplanes. This policy reflects a longstanding commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety in American air travel, which is considered the safest in the world according to Ambrosi.

However, concerns have been raised regarding European regulators potentially yielding to pressures from Airbus, potentially opening the door to reduced crew operations. Such a move, according to Ambrosi and ALPA, would compromise safety standards and must be vigorously opposed.

ALPA, representing 77,000 members across 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines, highlights the contrast between Boeing’s and Airbus’s approaches to single pilot operations. While Airbus appears more open to the idea, Boeing has been less interested, though it is exploring ways to make flight controls on future airplanes nearly autonomous.

Echoing ALPA’s sentiments, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents 16,000 American Airlines pilots, also praised the new rail crew rules. APA spokesperson Dennis Tajer highlighted the critical role of human oversight in safety operations, both on railroads and in aviation.

The Teamsters Rail Conference, with a diverse membership that includes rail workers and pilots, lauded the DoT’s rule for freight trains. Mark Wallace, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, remarked on the common-sense nature of the requirement for two-person crews on long, heavy freight trains. Teamsters spokesman Matt McQuaid further affirmed the union’s support for the FAA’s two-pilot cockpit requirement, emphasizing its importance for the safety of workers and the public alike.

The DoT’s recent regulation and the responses it has elicited from various stakeholders underscore the ongoing debate over the balance between technological advancements and the necessity of human expertise in ensuring the safety of both rail and air transportation systems.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, forbes.com