Flight 3407 families celebrate passage of aviation safety bill

By Mark Scott and Eileen Buckley

Washington, D.C. – Congressional action was completed Friday on far-reaching aviation safety legislation developed in response to last year's deadly crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence.

The safety measures would force airlines to hire more experienced pilots, investigate pilots' previous employment more thoroughly and train them better. The legislation also requires a major overhaul of rules governing pilot work schedules to prevent fatigue. Jennifer West lost her husband in the crash.

Speaking from Washington, West said she kept her young daughter in mind during their fight for the tougher standards.

"For me, it means I can say that her daddy did not die in vain and that he made flying safer," West said.

The Senate approved the measure without debate Friday morning, following similar action by the House late Thursday night. President Barack Obama will sign the bill by the end of the day.