Despite the stunning revelations of safety shortcomings that emerged in the aftermath of the crash of Flight 3407, the airline industry is moving begrudgingly to raise universal standards. According to a new report from the federal Transportation Department's inspector general, major airlines are doing little to press its associated smaller carriers on safety issues.
The FAA has been looking hard at safety practices in the wake of the Colgan Air crash in Clarence Center four years ago which killed 50 people.
Congress eventually passed new safety legislation and the administration has been slowly preparing new safety rules to implement the legislation. More than half the commercial flights in the country are handled by small airlines, usually under contract with big airlines.
The IG reports the smaller airlines frequently don't have the same safety standards as the big airlines and don't follow best practices.
"Ninety-five percent of the carriers are doing the right thing when it comes to their pilots, their training, their hiring practices," said Kevin Kuwik of The Families of Flight 3407.
"But the bottom line is that all it takes is one operation like Colgan Air who is deficient when it comes to hiring, doesn't train their pilots properly, doesn't commit to them, doesn't take care of them, doesn't hire the best-qualified ones, and you have a 3407."
The major carriers say it's up to the FAA and not the airlines to ensure safety.
The last six commercial place crashes in the U.S. have involved regional airlines. A major carrier hasn't been involved in a crash since 2001.
