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Aviation Security
by John P. Suter

 

September 21, 2004
Tuesday


Airlines employees and their contractors have a law (www.faa.gov/avr/afs/whistleblower/) that protects them when they speak out on aviation safety/security issues.  I would note that local government (city, county, state and municipality) airport maintenance employees who work at America's 450 FAA towered airports do not have this protection.  If they are caught speaking out on such issues they can be retaliated against for doing so.  What can be done so that local government airport maintenance workers can have the same protection as airline employees is to contact the Congress to put in an amendment that would include them in this law.  In doing so, this would protect them from retaliation.  Without this protection local government airport maintenance employees will be afraid to report any unsecured doors, gates or other potential safety violations.

Some of the congressional representatives that you could contact that are in position to put in this amendment are:

Congressman Don Young - Transportation Chairman
House or Representatives
2111 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515-0201
Phone: 202-225-5765, Fax: 202-225-0425

Senator Ted Stevens - Aviation Committee
United States Senate  522 Hart Building
Washington, DC  20510-0201
Phone: 202-224-3004, Fax 202-224-2354       

Senator Lisa Murkowski who personally told me she could do it and will look into it could use some encouragement.

Senator Lisa Murkowski
United States Senate  322 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510-0202
Phone: 202-224-6665, Fax 202-224-5301.  

 Thank you for your prompt and courteous attention.

Sincerely 

John P. Suter
Chugiak, AK - USA

 

 

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