Bacon, Carbajal Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Workplace Protections for Cargo Pilots

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and John Garamendi (D-CA-08), introduced the Safe Skies Act, a bipartisan bill to improve workplace protections for cargo pilots. 

Under current law, cargo pilots are operating under weaker flight, duty, and rest regulations than their passenger airline counterparts. This loophole increases the risk of fatigue and jeopardizes the safety of everyone who relies on our shared airspace. The Safe Skies Act closes this loophole by applying the same proven safety standards to cargo pilots that already protect passenger airline crews. 

Read the full text of the legislation here.

“I’m pleased to join my friend and colleague Rep. Carbajal in cosponsoring the Safe Skies Act to ensure one uniform standard of safety in our airspace,” said Rep. Bacon. “Cargo pilots fly in the same skies and land at the same airports as commercial pilots, and they should operate under the same science-based fatigue and rest standards.”

“Every pilot deserves the same workplace protections — whether they’re flying passengers or cargo,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The bipartisan Safe Skies Act is a commonsense step to reduce stress and fatigue for America’s cargo pilots. In doing so, it will enhance the safety of all who travel in our nation’s airspace.”

“When it comes to aviation safety, consistency is not optional—it is essential,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Protecting our skies requires vigilance, accountability, and a commitment to getting the standards right. Cargo pilots operate in the same airspace, face the same fatigue risks, and carry the same responsibility as passenger crews, and our regulations must reflect that. The Safe Skies Act extends the FAA’s proven duty and rest requirements to all-cargo operations, closing a gap that has persisted for too long and strengthening the safety framework that underpins our entire aviation system.”

“Cargo plane pilots are an integral part of our economy, yet they are not held to the same safety standards as commercial flight crews,” said Rep. Garamendi. “The Safe Skies Act changes that by applying the same common-sense rules to combat fatigue and keep our airspace safe as those required for other pilots. I'm honored to join Rep. Carbajal in reintroducing this critical bill to ensure strong workplace protections for cargo pilots and crew.”

“Airline pilots are affected by fatigue the same, regardless of whether we fly passengers or freight. It is time for Congress to pass the Safe Skies Act and ensure one level of safety for all airline operations,” said Capt. Jason Ambosi, ALPA president. “ALPA has long advocated ensuring all-cargo operations, which have an elevated accident rate and frequently require difficult, night-time schedules, are covered by modern, science-based fatigue rules. We thank Representatives Carbajal, Fitzpatrick, Garamendi, and Bacon for their continued leadership for increasing safety for the airline industry and the pilot profession”

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