Bring S1300 to the Senate floor and vote YES!

[Beehive]

I'm not sure how or if this bill will support pilots but whatever help the controllers can get is well appreciated. Thank you.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/S1300

[Kristie]

It always helps to put some info in the thread so people know what it is you're talking about

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee marked up the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill (S.1300) in May of 2007. There is a possibility that S.1300 will have a vote on the Senate floor sometime within the next few weeks.

S.1300 and the House companion bill (HR2881) are key to addressing the many needs of the National Airspace System (NAS). HR2881 overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in September 2007. The users of the system need S1300 to pass the Senate so it can be reconciled with HR2881, then sent to the President for signature. Both FAA Reauthorization bills contain many provisions integral to our nation's aviation infrastructure, such as funding and modernization for the NAS. There are also provisions for fair collective bargaining, and a transparent process, that includes all stakeholders, which is urgently needed to guide the realignment of facilities and services within the FAA.

[Nihon_Ni]

S.1300 includes a $25-per-flight user fee. Go through your logbook and add up how much this bill would cost you if it was around when you were learning to fly!

From the AOPA:

The House passed its FAA funding bill (H.R.2881) in September. But the Senate has yet to resolve differences between its two funding bills—S.1300 from the Commerce Committee that includes a $25-per-flight user fee, and S.2345, the Finance Committee’s bill, which has no user fees. The previous FAA authorization legislation, which allowed the government to assess aviation taxes and authorized the FAA to spend money, expired September 30, 2007. Since then, the FAA has continued running on a series of temporary extensions.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Nihon_Ni

S.1300 includes a $25-per-flight user fee. Go through your logbook and add up how much this bill would cost you if it was around when you were learning to fly!

From the AOPA:

The House passed its FAA funding bill (H.R.2881) in September. But the Senate has yet to resolve differences between its two funding bills—S.1300 from the Commerce Committee that includes a $25-per-flight user fee, and S.2345, the Finance Committee’s bill, which has no user fees. The previous FAA authorization legislation, which allowed the government to assess aviation taxes and authorized the FAA to spend money, expired September 30, 2007. Since then, the FAA has continued running on a series of temporary extensions.

That user fee is for turbine a/c on an IFR flight plan. The FAA legislation you speak if is running on it's current extension which expires on June 20th. Those are both direct from Phil Boyer's mouth at last nights Pilot Town Meeting......MY highlights will come as I am typing them up as we speak.

[Maurus]

The past has shown turbine only user fees to trickle down to Ga. This is a bad idea, go with the House bill.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by Maurus

The past has shown turbine only user fees to trickle down to Ga. This is a bad idea, go with the House bill.

In addition the airlines are already losing money... So lets hit them all with 25 a plane and see what else we can nail them with.... Let alone GA aircraft...... Honeslty I dont see a proplem with Corp jets perhaps.... But a small GA give me a break.....

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Maurus

The past has shown turbine only user fees to trickle down to Ga. This is a bad idea, go with the House bill.

You've already read my AOPA post, but the turbine req includes corp a/c as well which are General Aviation.

That was one distinction Phil tried to make very clear:

GA includes corp/charter a/c as well as the 172, 182's etc.

Yes, he did mention the trickle down effect as well.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

In addition the airlines are already losing money... So lets hit them all with 25 a plane and see what else we can nail them with.... Let alone GA aircraft...... Honeslty I dont see a proplem with Corp jets perhaps.... But a small GA give me a break.....

Check my post on the pilot town meeting. they make no distinction between small GA, big GA, etc..... General Aviation is General aviation regardless of the aircraft.

[Fox Xray]

While most do not agree with any user fees all agree that additional funding is needed. Here is the latest update:

Reid Plans Monday Cloture Vote On Air Traffic Control

Thu. Apr. 24, 2008

Senate Majority Leader Reid plans to bring up Monday a four-year bill
to help modernize the nation's air traffic control system, giving
committee Democratic leaders a fixed deadline for finishing their
months-long discussions. Reid will hold a vote to limit debate on a
motion to proceed to the FAA reauthorization bill, which has been
stalled by a dispute between the Finance and Commerce committees over
providing consistent funding to help begin transferring from a ground-
based to a satellite-based air traffic control system.

Commerce Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-
W.Va., said today that senators are "close but not done." He and
Finance Chairman Max Baucus have traded proposals but have not yet
reached an agreement, Rockefeller said. He said they will need time to
also reach a consensus with other committee members as well as the
aviation industry. "You've got major interests to sign off or to be
rolled over," he said. Rockefeller said he was worried that a deal
would not be reached in time. "The leader has a train to run, I
understand that," Rockefeller said. "And one way to get this moving is
to schedule votes." Baucus, who like Finance ranking member Charles
Grassley is enveloped in farm bill discussions, said he and
Rockefeller took note of Monday's cloture vote. "I think we'll have an
agreement," Baucus said.

A Commerce Committee plan would impose a $25 per flight surcharge in
an effort to bridge the gap between what airlines and general aviation
would be providing toward the modernization effort. Rockefeller is
open to ditching that surcharge for something else as long as there is
another way to earn the same $400 million in guaranteed annual funding
that he estimates would come from that user fee. "I've made
significant concessions," said Rockefeller, who has pledged that
general aviation will be paying more either through a user fee or taxes.

The Bush administration and airlines have embraced user fees, while
general aviation groups oppose them. The Finance Committee had
proposed to rely on aviation taxes. A House-passed bill last September
raises general aviation taxes but does not change those for airlines.
General aviation groups supported the bill because it left the current
tax structure in place and rejected user fees. Congress has agreed to
several short-term extensions of aviation excise taxes since they
initially expired Sept. 30. The Commerce Committee approved its plan
last May, while the Finance Committee and the full House approved
bills in the fall.

by Darren Goode

Thu. Apr. 24, 2008

[Beehive]

Originally Posted by Kristie

It always helps to put some info in the thread so people know what it is you're talking about

Sorry...I tried too, but I was having difficulties. I guess i'm not as smart as you...

[OldTownPilot]

If you want us to pay user fees like the airlines, repeal our gas tax that the airlines don't have to pay.

I'm for an equitable solution, which none of the user fee plans have provided.

[surreal1221]

I vote yes, so long as it'll get the FAA back to the table.

Good luck boys and girls

[JEP]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

If you want us to pay user fees like the airlines, repeal our gas tax that the airlines don't have to pay.

I'm for an equitable solution, which none of the user fee plans have provided.

Take a look at this post:

(AOPA Pilot Town Meeting - MSP 04/23/08)
AOPA Pilot Town Meeting

Phil Boyer had some very interesting comments on the subject. That was hte main focus of the meeting.

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by Beehive

I'm not sure how or if this bill will support pilots but whatever help the controllers can get is well appreciated. Thank you.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/S1300

You have my support 100%. The treatment of the controllers has been atrocious. It's shameful that the government has treated our controllers in this way. My Senators and Congressman will be receiving emails in support of S1300, along with Majority Leader Reid.

[surreal1221]

You wanna take a trip up to DC Todd and visit our ignorant Republican reps?

Westmoreland is the biggest DB in this state.

[PCL_128]

Westmoreland is a scumbag. I'm ashamed to have him representing me. But he'll still get a letter from me in support of S1300. He'll also get a letter from me after he votes against it (as I'm sure he will) that tells him just what I think of him and his anti-labor BS.

[surreal1221]

I get weekly letters from the DB.

As he does from me.

But difference is, it's not the same letter every week from me to him and his office.

The same pre-filled ######## comes back every time. Just changes the subject and date.

[troopernflight]

The Senate should shove s.1300 where the sun doesn't shine. User fees in any sort should be protested. Even though it will start with just turbine aircraft, it will soon trickle into the pockets of those who fly the small piston aircraft. Look at what has happened in Europe. We can't afford to head in that direction. I don't know about everyone else, but I don't want to fly in a future that will require a charge to fly an ILS approach. "Opps, I missed this approach, better come around for another shot. Oh, by the way, that will be another 25 dollars...."

[charlie1017]

As much as I would hate the fees, it'll be the cost of avgas, rather than fees, what will kill GA in the US.

[surreal1221]

Bummer.

And I love GA, but I don't love it enough - especially if it's going to be at the cost of our controllers not being compensated appropriately for the services they render.

America can not continue to live on the cheap.

Things cost money!

[OldTownPilot]

Do you guys realize that S1300 gives tax breaks to the airlines? What for? just another bailout that will be pissed away with cheaper tickets.

Don't give the tax breaks airlines, don't start user fees for GA. The feds still get the same amount of money.

BTW I support S 2345, which does exactly that.

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

Do you guys realize that S1300 gives tax breaks to the airlines?

One of the many reasons that I support it.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

Do you guys realize that S1300 gives tax breaks to the airlines? What for? just another bailout that will be pissed away with cheaper tickets.

You do realize that our government is giving tax breaks and subsidies to the oil industry correct?

You see how GREAT they are doing these days. . .

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

One of the many reasons that I support it.

I don't support tax breaks that are paid for with my money so that the Jones' can see a mouse for 89 bucks.

What is wrong with the funding distribution how it is now?

S 2345 asks for the increase in funding from GA Jet-A sales. No additional LL tax, No user fees, and no airline tax break. What is your issue with that?


Nice partial quote You want to answer the rest of it, Mr Low Cost Carrier Pilot Guy?

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

You do realize that our government is giving tax breaks and subsidies to the oil industry correct?

You see how GREAT they are doing these days. . .

The government gives breaks to all sorts of industries. The airlines have already gotten billions of dollars in breaks. Do they really need more?

There are far deeper issues that are hurting the airlines than FAA funding taxes.