Safety Program Stalled at 3 Airlines

Delta Air Lines suspended its Aviation Safety Action Program in 2006. Progress has been slowed by the carrier's recent merger with Northwest. (By Ted S. Warren -- Associated Press)

Tom Westbrook, vice president of the Allied Pilots Association, which represents the American Airline pilots, said negotiations are at a stalemate.

"Nothing is going on," Westbrook said. "We have been making statements in every forum we can to get word to them that we are prepared to meet. If they'd agree to stop disciplining pilots for safety events, then we'd sign the agreement."

On the other side, airlines say they are trying to block changes sought by the pilots that they say would unfairly expand pilot immunity.

"We want to achieve protections for our pilots for unintentional acts and unintentional violations," said Billy Nolen, manger of flight safety at American Airlines. "At the same time we want to ensure accountability that if someone commits a willful act, this program doesn't offer them protections."

Disputes also have centered on the handling of individual ASAP reports as well as personality conflicts between individuals involved in the process, including FAA personnel. At Delta, which suspended its program in 2006, progress on new agreements for pilots has been slowed by the carrier's recent merger with Northwest Airlines.

The controversies have forced the FAA into action, even though the agency typically tries to stay clear of airline labor disputes.

"This is a safety issue," Sturgell said. "It should not be treated by anybody as a labor-management issue."