The union representing
United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) pilots plans to file suit today to challenge the U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to exempt cargo pilots from rules to protect against fatigue.
The Independent Pilots Association will file the suit in federal court, Brian Gaudet, the union’s spokesman, said in an e-mailed press release.
The FAA yielded to “unprecedented industry pressure” when it exempted cargo airlines in the new rules, Robert Travis, president of the IPA, said yesterday after the regulation was published.
The FAA rules, which take effect in two years, require that passenger-airline pilots work shorter shifts and get longer rest periods. It was the first revision of rest rules since 1985.
While the agency had proposed applying the new measures to cargo-carrier pilots, the final rule exempted them because the costs were too steep, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said yesterday.
Mike Mangeot, a UPS spokesman, didn’t immediately respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment.