UPS pilots suing FAA; don't want to fly tired

WASHINGTON?? United Parcel Service pilots went to court Thursday hoping to make the government include them under new rules designed to ensure airline pilots aren't too sleepy to fly.

1. Don't miss these Travel stories

   1. Holiday travel: not so hellish after all?

      Stressed about facing the holiday crowds at the airport this week? Contrary to accepted wisdom, the idea that the holidays represent the busiest days in air travel may be more myth than reality.

   2. Southwest mix-up leaves 9-year-old stranded
   3. TSA unveils helpline for fliers with disabilities
   4. Great hotels that won't break the bank
   5. Hotels ranked by rooms, location, service, food and value

Their union, the Independent Pilots Association, filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration one day after the new rules for passenger airline pilots were announced. Cargo carriers are exempt from the rules. The UPS pilots want a court order making the FAA include them, too.

Video: UPS pilots don?t want to fly tired either (on this page)

The FAA has said forcing cargo carriers to reduce the number of hours their pilots can fly would be too costly when compared with the safety benefits. Imposing the rules on cargo airlines like Federal Express or UPS would have added another $214 million to the cost, FAA officials said.

"The FAA's only basis for excluding cargo rests on a cost benefit analysis," William Trent, IPA general counsel, said in a statement.

Trent said two factors that the FAA cited as exacerbating the risk of pilot fatigue ? operating at night and crossing multiple time zones ? are more common in cargo operations than in passenger airlines.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said he plans to invite top officials from cargo airlines to meet with him next month to urge them to voluntarily follow the new rules.

Safety advocates urged the FAA for over two decades to update pilot work rules. Researchers say fatigue, much like alcohol, can impair a pilot's performance by slowing reflexes and eroding judgment.

The new passenger airline rules would limit the maximum time a pilot can be scheduled on duty to between nine and 14 hours; limit scheduled flying time to eight or nine hours; and further limit hours for pilots flying overnight.

The cargo carriers that are exempt do much of their flying overnight, when people naturally crave sleep.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45767657/ns/travel-news/

arkansas football maggie daley black friday online deals black friday news gamestop albert haynesworth banana republic