Land and Hold Short Update

The ALPA National Air Traffic Control (ATC) Committee has met repeatedly with representatives of the FAA. The FAA has shown no interest in answering the concerns expressed by ALPA’s ATC Committee. Consequently, we issued ALPA Safety Alert Bulletin 98-4. Most US Airways pilots are complying with the provisions of this bulletin.

One of the most critical runways for LAHSO is Runway 36R in Charlotte. We recently had a serious incident involving two of our aircraft during LAHSO operations on this runway. The incident resulted in the flight crews of both aircraft filing a near mid-air collision report. As reminder to all of us, this runway does NOT meet the criteria of the 98-4 bulletin for category C aircraft.

When we learn that the arrival runway for our flight does not meet the criteria, we should inform the approach controller, "unable LAHSO." This will give the controllers the maximum time to coordinate the arrival flow spacing. Controller representatives are supportive of ALPA’s LAHSO position and concerns, but need our help to get the information as early as possible to minimize the operational impact.

What is the future of LASHO? After the FAA refused to recognize ALPA’s concerns, the ALPA Board of Directors followed the recommendation of the ALPA ATC Committee and set a 120-day limit on our continued participation in the LAHSO program. During the 120 days we began a public education effort. ALPA National’s Communications Department began to contact the media and explain our position. Slowly, our position began to be seen and understood by the public. USA Today ran a front page article and CBS and CNN interviewed ALPA President, Captain Duane Woerth.

We formed a special project team. This team consists of technical committee members with unique training and abilities to deal with complex ATC issues. They meet regularly in an effort to seek the best solution. If we succeed in having the FAA address our concerns, then there is a possibility that we can find a resolution. Without willingness by the FAA to work with us, our path is clear.

The entire concept of LAHSO is solely an effort to increase the number of takeoffs and landings at an airport. The incidents that have occurred since its introduction indicate an alarming trend. Too many aircraft are passing too close to each other. The rush for capacity has resulted in a reduction in safety.

In the near future, the special project team will write a final report. We should look for this report and follow the recommendations. These recommendations will determine ALPA’s future participation.

We should expect some FAA facilities to react negatively if a total embargo of LAHSO is recommended. As an example, ATC in Philadelphia is holding aircraft that refuse to accept a land and hold short clearance. This is a violation of the "first come, first serve" rule. Yet, our US Airways Express flights are finding this is a reality. If this should happen to you, call the ALPA Engineering and Air Safety Department (800-424-2470 and ask for Bob Striegel). An investigation will determine if holding was appropriate. If the holding was inappropriate, there are actions we can take to prevent future punitive holding.

On occasion we will endure pressure to accept a land and hold short clearance. It will be up to us to evaluate carefully the consequences. A pilot’s certificate is at significant risk if a landing aircraft fails to stop prior to the intersection specified in the clearance.

A go-around means the aircraft executing the go-around must provide separation from the departing aircraft. There will be no separation provided by ATC until legal separation exists again. How do we provide that separation when the nose is high in an effort to climb away from the ground? How do we provide that separation in restricted visibility? How do we provide that separation without the ability to turn before the intersection? These are just some of the questions that the FAA is not answering.

Do we realize that a communication error can cause two aircraft to be in the same intersection at the same time? If a controller misses a readback, then the landing aircraft can believe that there is no restriction on a landing that a controller believes is a LASHO.