Block on Flight 3407 aviation safety bill lifted

By Mark Scott

Washington, DC – Senator Bob Corker has dropped his hold on the FAA reauthorization bill. Members of the Flight 3407 Families Group met in the Washington office of the Tennessee Republican Wednesday to make their case for aviation safety legislation.

It appeared at meeting's end that no progress had been made. But as the group was leaving, a Corker aide said the labor provision that was holding up the bill would be dropped and the legislation would go to the Senate for full consideration.

At an earlier news conference at the Capitol, Kevin Kuwik, one of the family organizers, pleaded for lawmakers to help.

"We've done what we're supposed to do. We've had meetings. We've sent letters," Kuwik said, fighting back tears. "We can't do anything else. So, please, do what we put you in Washington to do."

The bill includes a number of aviation safety improvements the families have been pushing since the February 2009 crash of the Continental Connection commuter flight in Clarence that killed 50 people. The families want pilots to have 1,500 hours of training before being allowed to fly passengers.

US Senator Charles Schumer says he continues to push for the 1500 hour requirement. He says an amendment he is sponsoring has received bipartisan support of Massachusetts Republican Senator Scott Browm, improving its chances for passage.

The Senate is expected to act on the bill next week. A House-Senate committee will then work out the differences between the two bills.