Have FAA Policies Encouraged Outsourcing
Airlines are outsourcing major
aircraft repairs to foreign countries in ever-increasing numbers. National Public Radio reported this week that in 2007 U.S. air carriers sent 71% of “heavy airframe maintenance” to private facilities in cheap foreign labor markets (see our Oct. 19, 2009 post). Airlines cite a recession-driven need to lower maintenance costs as the primary reason for taking maintenance jobs outside the U.S. However, several in-air maintenance failures have focused media and industry attention on the issue. There is considerable concern that foreign workers do not have the same level or training, repair experience or professional certification as U.S.-trained airline mechanics; and foreign maintenance facilities are not subject to the same levels of inspection and oversight as American shops.
U.S. airline mechanics and repair facilities are understandably angry. While the FAA has failed to hold foreign competitors to account, the agency has been increasingly aggressive in punishing safety and maintenance lapses in the U.S. We here at
Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Co. would like to know what you think. We’re in the business of designing and manufacturing safe, ergonomic < a href="http://www.lindbergh.com/aircraft-tug">aircraft tugs to ease the physical burden of moving heavy aircraft. Our mission is to make airplane maintenance safe for the airline workers and mechanics who make aircraft safe for passengers. We do our job. We think they should be allowed to do theirs. What do you think?