Former ALPA President, consultant and bank Director was nominated to head the FAA.
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/03/30/daily25.html
I'm sure A4s and other long time ALPA guys will have insight on this, but I have some observations form the outside that come to mind. Captain Babbitt was a Captain for Eastern Airlines. He headed ALPA as a former employee of a defunct Eastern Airlines (just what was he the Captain of anyway). He wasn't on the seniority list of any airline. During his tenure ALPA airlines went through all sorts of turmoil. As a consultant, it is reported his company shilled for the former Administrator and did nothing to encourage movement of the long stalled ATC modernization. As a guy with his heart in General Aviation, I question Babbitt's close ties to the commercial sector over others. I fear he will come down heavily on the side of the airlines in future decisions such as user fees, airspace, etc. Lets just hope he has paid his taxes!!
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/03/30/daily25.html
I'm sure A4s and other long time ALPA guys will have insight on this, but I have some observations form the outside that come to mind. Captain Babbitt was a Captain for Eastern Airlines. He headed ALPA as a former employee of a defunct Eastern Airlines (just what was he the Captain of anyway). He wasn't on the seniority list of any airline. During his tenure ALPA airlines went through all sorts of turmoil. As a consultant, it is reported his company shilled for the former Administrator and did nothing to encourage movement of the long stalled ATC modernization. As a guy with his heart in General Aviation, I question Babbitt's close ties to the commercial sector over others. I fear he will come down heavily on the side of the airlines in future decisions such as user fees, airspace, etc. Lets just hope he has paid his taxes!!
