House Proceeding 05-21-09 on May 21st, 2009 :: 0:36:20 to 0:39:50
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0:36:06 to 0:36:27( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: mr. oberstar: mr. chairman, i yield myself 15 seconds to thank the distinguished the gentleman from wisconsin for his -- thank the distinguished gentleman from wisconsin for his comments and for his norwegian wisd brought to the shaping of this legislation. he's been a splendid partner. now i yield three minutes to the distinguished chair to the committee on rules, the

0:36:20 to 0:39:50( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Louise McIntosh Slaughter

0:36:28 to 0:36:49( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: gentlewoman from new york, ms. slaughter. the chair: the gentlelady from new york is recognized for three minutes. ms. slaughter: thank you very much. and i really appreciate the ntleman yielding. i want to talk a moment about the safety of our skies and the frightening gap in trainingnd oversight surrounding the commuter airline busiss. one of the first -- worse plane accidents in recent history

0:36:50 to 0:37:10( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: occurred earlier this year on the night of february 12 just outside of buffalo, new york. we lost 49 lives that snowy and icy night and my thoughts are with the families and the victims. last week, the national transportation safety board conducted hearings, and we were shocked and saddened by the testimony and the revelations.

0:37:11 to 0:37:31( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: i'm not here to revisit the sad last moments of the crew of the 45 passengers who were lost that day. we still have many questions that must be answered and a lot of work to be done to ensure it never happens again. that is our responsibility and our mission. i want to address the shocking conditions that many of these pilots are facing each and

0:37:32 to 0:37:53( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: every day because of the lack of rigor and training and certification programs of commercial airline pilots. i hope we can shine a light on the appalling job that the f.a.a. has done in recent years in regulating that industry. that's why i've joined with my friends fromew york, mr. lee and mr. higgins, to introduce an amendmentandating a

0:37:54 to 0:38:16( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: detailed investigation by the government accountability office into this gap in training. we need to look at the number of training hours required for new pilots, how the carriers update and train the pilots and what kind of remedial action is taken when unsatisfactorily among other things. it is my belief that a thorough top to bottom review of this issue is absolutely essential

0:38:17 to 0:38:39( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: if we are to understand the troubled reality of today's regional airline industry. most importantly, if we don't get all the facts out and into the open, we are unlikely to be able to take meaningful steps toward reform. my intention is to work with colleagues on this issue and explore legislative remedies that we can take. as i look arnd the chamber i'm reminded that many members

0:38:40 to 0:39:01( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: of congress also take flights to get home to their districts that are the regional airlines, and i take two of them every week. and in the gallery i'm sure there are visitors who have flown to washington from their hometowns. every day people from coast to coast and small cities and major hubs catch a plane for work to, to see a loved one or to simply get away.

0:39:02 to 0:39:22( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: all deserve the confidence that the pilots in the front of the plane are trained and ready for work when that aircraft pushes back from the tarmac. it's my understanding that the salary of one of the pilots on that plane wa$16,000 a year. . these young pilots are far less than pilots at major carriers and struggle to make ends meet.

0:39:23 to 0:39:44( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: my guess is it would sir prize me the passengers on a typical commuter flight to know the captain was paid less than a bus driver. we are still learning during the hearing many of the pilots fly when they are sick and have not been able to have food. imagine that? a pilot responsible for a planeful of men, women, d children who is sick but can't take the day off?

0:39:45 to 0:39:51( Edit History Discussion )

Louise McIntosh Slaughter: hungry and can't stop and get lunch. we discovered the training is stunnily inadequate.