Hello.
Some of you might be aware that EASA's new proposals for the becoming new European Flight Duty and Rest Times Regulation have been published on January 18th, 2012 (
http://www.easa.eu.int/rulemaking/do...%202010-14.pdf) - with considerable delay after receiving more than 50.000 comments (most ever received by EASA) towards the old NPA as of December 2010.
These proposals will become Europe-wide regulations in 2013. What many do not know: this "law" will not follow the normal democratic avenue that most know from any other legislation, it will not be "adopted" by a majority vote of the European parliament. The reason is a "relict" from the early days of the European Community which is called the "comitology procedure" (see below).
Though the new proposal can be regarded as a "considerable improvement" to the original draft as of last year but it is far from being appropriate. In contrast to the new US regulations (except Cargo, - I know) they are still ignoring scientific research and incident and accident analysis about "fatigue" as a contributing factor.
Therefore some European Pilot Associations have launched a campaign and are collecting signatures of citizens who object these new proposals and support the idea that the new regulations should be based on science rather then commercial interest of the operators.
The campaign is supported by some really funny video spots placed on
YouTube. My favorite is this one:
but there are 3 more others available in English, French and German.
English:
French:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05r_...f=mfu_in_order
German:
So please help distribute the message and get also your friends and significant others to sign the petition, available at
www.flightdutytimes.eu
The comitology procedure
The word “comitology” comes from the French word “comité”, or “committee” in English. The first committee to consider binding regulations for the European Economic Community already met in 1962. For its part, the Council of the EEC then determined that it could itself decide whether to issue so-called “implementing regulations” or transfer this task to the European Commission. Fundamentally, once such a regulation is passed and comes into force, it becomes legally binding in all applicable European countries. In 1987, these powers were transferred to the European Commission.
Since then, the Commission has been permitted to issue – in close cooperation with the Member States – binding regulations applicable across Europe. Doing so, it is supported by committees in which civil servants from all Member States are represented. This comitology procedure as currently practised in the EU is regarded by its critics as being undemocratic and lacking in transparency.
Neither the EU Council of Ministers nor the elected members of the European Parliament have any means of influence over this procedure. A regulation which is enacted in the context of a comitology procedure does not have to be submitted to the EU’s legislative bodies for their approval, even though such regulations can have major impacts both positive and negative on the everyday life of its citizens. Likewise, the forthcoming amendments to the Regulation on Flight Duty and Rest Periods are due to be agreed and passed in a comitology procedure.
However the committees which drafted and debated these regulations did not have any official representatives from the passengers on them, such as members of consumer associations or similar organisations.