[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7785-7788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2459]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2007-0108]


National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal 
With Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of membership and first meeting of advisory committee.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the membership and the first meeting of 
the National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with 
Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays.

DATES: The first meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for February 
26, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the Task Force will be held at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC, in the Oklahoma City Conference Room on the lobby level 
of the West Building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING

[[Page 7786]]

THE TASK FORCE:
    Livaughn Chapman, Jr., or Kathleen Blank-Riether, Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 
Ave., SE., W-96-429, Washington, DC 20590-0001; Phone: (202) 366-9342; 
Fax: (202) 366-7152; E-mail: [email protected], or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    DOT's Office of Inspector General recommended, in its audit report, 
entitled ``Actions Needed to Minimize Long, On-Board Flight Delays,'' 
issued on September 25, 2007, that the Secretary of Transportation 
establish a national task force of airlines, airports, and the Federal 
Aviation Administration to coordinate and develop contingency plans to 
deal with lengthy delays, such as working with carriers and airports to 
share facilities and make gates available in an emergency.
    To effectuate this recommendation, the Department published a 
notice of intent to form an advisory committee in the Federal Register 
on December 20, 2007 (72 FR 72435). This notice, consistent with the 
requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 
App. 2, announced the establishment of the Task Force and invited 
comments, as well as nominations and applications for membership. The 
Task Force Charter is attached as Appendix 1.
    A total of thirty-four (34) applications/nominations for membership 
on the Task Force were submitted to the docket. In selecting the 
members of the Task Force, the Department attempted to achieve a 
balanced membership representing a broad cross-section of the diverse 
agencies, organizations and individuals that represent airlines, 
airports, consumer groups and other interested entities in the United 
States. We also contacted some organizations that had not submitted an 
application for membership by the January 4 deadline, but whose 
membership in the Task Force we believed would be beneficial, to 
encourage their participation. The Secretary of Transportation has now 
named the members of the Task Force, and their names are listed below 
as Appendix 2 to this notice. In addition to the Task Force members 
named by the Secretary, individuals from the Department of Homeland 
Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Office of the 
Secretary will participate in the Task Force as non-member 
participants.
    As noted above, the first meeting of the Task Force will take place 
on February 26, 2008. The agenda topics for the first meeting will 
include: (1) Orientation about the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
procedures and the purpose of the task force; (2) an introduction of 
the issues and discussion of contingency plans, and (3) establishment 
of working groups. A period of time for public comments, if any, will 
also be provided.
    The Department anticipates that the Task Force will meet at least 
three additional times in 2008. It is anticipated that all meetings 
will be held in Washington, DC at the U.S. DOT headquarters building. 
The Department will publish notices in the Federal Register to announce 
the dates, times, and locations of future meetings. Meetings of the 
Task Force are open to the public, and time will be provided for 
comments by members of the public. Since access to the U.S. DOT 
headquarters building is controlled for security purposes, any member 
of the general public who plans to attend the first meeting must notify 
the Department contact noted above ten (10) calendar days prior to the 
meeting. Attendance will be necessarily limited by the size of the 
meeting room.
    Members of the public may present written comments at any time and, 
at the discretion of the Chairman and time permitting, oral comments at 
the meeting. Any oral comments permitted must be limited to agenda 
items and will be limited to five (5) minutes per person. Members of 
the public who wish to present oral comments must notify the Department 
contact noted above via e-mail that they wish to attend and present 
oral comments at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the meting. For 
this February 20 meeting, no more than one hour will be set aside for 
oral comments. Although written material may be filed in the docket at 
any time, comments regarding upcoming meeting topics should be sent to 
the Task Force docket, (10) calendar days prior to the meeting. Members 
of the public may also contact the Department contact noted above to be 
placed on the Task Force mailing list.
    Persons with a disability requiring special accommodations, such as 
an interpreter for the hearing impaired, should contact the Department 
contact noted above at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the 
meeting.
    Notice of this meeting is provided in accordance with the FACA and 
the General Services Administration regulations covering management of 
Federal advisory committees. (41 CFR part 102-3.)

Conclusion

    The First Meeting of the National Task force to Develop Model 
Contingency Plans to Deal with Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays 
will be held on February 26, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern 
Time, at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC, in the Oklahoma City Conference Room on the lobby 
level of the West Building.

    Issued on: February 5, 2008.
Samuel Podberesky,
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement & Proceedings, U.S. 
Department of Transportation.

Appendix 1--Charter for the National Task Force to Develop Model 
Contingency Plans to Deal With Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

Federal Advisory Committee Charter

National Task Force to Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with 
Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays

U.S. Department of Transportation
    1. Purpose: This charter establishes the National Task Force to 
Develop Model Contingency Plans to Deal with Lengthy Airline On-Board 
Ground Delays pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as 
amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 2, and sets forth policies for its operations.
    2. Scope and Objectives:
    a. The Task Force will develop model contingency plans for 
minimizing the impact of lengthy airline on-board ground delays.
    b. The Task Force will be responsible for reviewing incidents 
involving long, on-board ground delays and their causes; identifying 
trends and patterns of such events; and recommending workable solutions 
for mitigating the on-board consumer impact of extraordinary flight 
disruptions.
    c. The Task Force will report to the Secretary of Transportation 
the results of its consideration and a description of model contingency 
plans it develops.
    d. The Task Force will not exercise program management, regulatory 
or program guidance responsibilities. It will make no decision directly 
affecting the programs on which it provides advice. The Task Force will 
provide a forum for the development, consideration, and communication 
from a knowledgeable and independent perspective of a strategy for 
dealing with

[[Page 7787]]

lengthy on-board ground delays nationwide.
    3. Duties: The Task Force will carry out the following tasks:
    a. Develop model contingency plans to deal with lengthy air carrier 
on-board delays.
    b. Review incidents involving long, on-board ground delays and 
their causes; identify trends and patterns of such events; and 
recommend workable solutions for mitigating the on-board consumer 
impact of extraordinary flight disruptions.
    c. Review existing airline and airport contingency plans for 
extended tarmac delays for best practices.
    d. Report to the Secretary of Transportation the results of its 
consideration and a description of the model contingency plans 
developed.
    4. Duration: The Task Force will remain in existence for 1 year 
from the effective date of this charter, unless recommended for 
termination or renewal by the Secretary of Transportation.
    5. Official to Whom the Task Force Reports: The Task Force will 
report to the Secretary of Transportation through the sponsor.
    6. Sponsor and Agency Providing Support: The Office of the General 
Counsel serves as sponsor of the Task Force and has designated the 
Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings as 
the Designated Federal Official and Chairman of the Task Force. The 
Sponsor has designated the Federal Aviation Administration's Associate 
Administrator for Airports as the Vice Chairman of the Task Force. The 
Chairman of the Task Force will direct the affairs of the Task Force 
and will provide necessary administrative support, as required by the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act. At the request of the Chairman, the 
Vice Chairman will perform these duties.
    7. Delegation: The Chairman is delegated the authority to require 
special reports under 49 U.S.C. 41708 to effectuate the duties of the 
Task Force. The Chairman is also delegated the authority to issue 
Federal Register notices regarding the workings of the Task Force.
    8. Membership:
    a. The Task Force will be composed of individuals appointed by the 
Secretary of Transportation. Task Force members will be Regular 
Government Employees and Representatives of airlines, airports and 
consumer groups in the U.S.
    b. Nonparticipation by any member in Task Force activities will be 
sufficient reason for the appointment of a replacement member by the 
Secretary of Transportation.
    c. The Task Force will ensure that the public is able to present 
its views to the Task Force in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.
    9. Task Force Officers: The Chairman will conduct each meeting 
using generally accepted meeting management techniques, provide an 
opportunity for participation by each member and by public attendees, 
ensure adherence to the agenda, maintain order, and prepare any 
recommendations to be submitted to the Secretary of Transportation. At 
the request of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman will perform these 
duties.
    10. Meetings:
    a. Meetings will be held at the call of or with the advance 
approval of the Designated Federal Official. The Task Force will meet 
approximately 4 times the first year in Washington, DC. Special 
meetings and working group meetings may be called as necessary. Notice 
of each scheduled meeting will be published in the Federal Register.
    b. All meetings will be open to the public. Members of the public 
will be permitted to appear before or file statements with the Task 
Force. The Designated Federal Official must be present at each Task 
Force meeting. The official has the authority to adjourn the meeting 
whenever such action is deemed to be in the public interest. A quorum 
exists when at least one-half of the appointed members are present. A 
quorum must exist for any official action, including voting, to occur. 
In any situation involving voting, the majority vote of members present 
will prevail. An agenda for each meeting must be approved in advance by 
the Designated Federal Official.
    11. Compensation: Members of the Task Force are responsible for 
their own travel and per diem expenses.
    12. Costs: Operating expenses are borne by the Task Force Sponsor. 
The estimated annual cost to the government is $20,000 inclusive of 
support, report writing, meeting costs, travel, and other logistics.
    13. Availability of Records: Pursuant to Section 552 of Title 5, 
United States Code, the records, reports, minutes, agenda, and other 
documents made available to or by the Task Force will be available for 
public inspection and duplication in the Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation. A docket will be established for this Task Force to 
accomplish this result. To the extent that there is a discussion of 
issues concerning on-going rulemaking proceedings during a Task Force 
meeting, the minutes of that meeting will be placed in the appropriate 
docket.
    14. Reports: The Designated Federal Official will furnish detailed 
minutes of each meeting to the Sponsor. The minutes contain a record of 
the persons present, a complete and accurate description of matters 
discussed and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received, 
issued, or approved by the Task Force. The Chairman will certify the 
accuracy of the minutes.
    15. Working Groups:
    a. The Task Force may establish working groups to perform specific 
assignments with the approval of the Designated Federal Official. The 
Chairman may designate members from either the Task Force or the public 
to serve on working groups. Any Working Group Chairman will be a Task 
Force member. Recording or videotaping of working group meetings may be 
performed only with the Designated Federal Official's approval.
    b. Any recommendations to the Department by working groups are 
subject to approval by the Task Force as a whole.
    16. Filing Date: January 3, 2008 is the filing date and the 
effective date of this charter which will expire 1 year from this 
filing date, unless sooner terminated or extended.

Appendix 2--Membership of the National Task Force to Develop Model 
Contingency Plans to Deal With Lengthy On-Board Ground Delays

    Samuel Podberesky, Chairman, Assistant General Counsel for Aviation 
Enforcement and Proceedings, U.S. Department of Transportation.
    D. Kirk Shaffer, Vice Chairman, Associate Administrator for 
Airports, Federal Aviation Administration.
    Basil Barimo, Vice President, Operations and Safety, Air Transport 
Association.
    Brian Bartal, Project Manager, American Eagle Airlines.
    Roger Cohen, President, Regional Airline Association.
    Michael C. Collins, Disability Rights Advocate.
    James M. Crites, Executive Vice President, Operations, Dallas/Fort 
Worth International Airport.
    Benjamin R. DeCosta, Aviation General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson 
International Airport.
    George F. Doughty, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport 
Authority.
    Charles M. Durham, III, Sr. Manager of Dispatch, ExpressJet 
Airlines.
    Edward P. Faberman, Executive Director, Air Carrier Association of 
America.
    James J. Gaydos, Director, Airport Services, American Airlines.

[[Page 7788]]

    Kate Hanni, Founder/Spokesperson, Coalition for an Airline 
Passengers' Bill of Rights.
    Steve Hozdulick, Senior Director--Operational Performance, 
Southwest Airlines.
    Kevin Hudson, Senior Manager, Operational Performance, Tracking and 
Reporting, Frontier Airlines.
    William R. Lange, Vice President, Safety & Compliance, Compass 
Airlines.
    Douglas E. Lavin, Regional Vice President, International Air 
Transport Association--North America.
    Tony Lefebvre, Senior Vice President--Customer Service, Spirit 
Airlines.
    D. Leo Malloy, Jr., Vice President, Customer Service, Skyway 
Airlines/Midwest Connect.
    Alex Marren, Vice President, Operational Services, United Airlines.
    Deborah C. McElroy, Executive Vice President, Policy and External 
Affairs, Airports Council International--North America.
    Robert K. Muhs, Vice President, System Operations Control, 
Northwest Airlines.
    Patrick V. Murphy, Aviation Consultant, representing U.S. Airways.
    Capt. Larry Newman, Chairman, Air Traffic Service Group, Air Line 
Pilots Association, International.
    Bradley, D. Penrod, CEO/Executive Director, Allegheny County 
Airport Authority.
    Paul. M. Ruden, Senior Vice President, Legal and Industry Affairs, 
American Society of Travel Agents.
    Daniel Rutenberg, Vice President, International Airline Passengers 
Association.
    Melissa Sabatine, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, American 
Association of Airport Executives.
    Leo J. Schefer, President, Washington Airports Task Force.
    Lysa C. Scully, Assistant Director, Customer, Cargo, Concessions 
and Airport Services, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
    Jim Tabor, Vice President of Operations, AirTran Airways.
    Daniel A. Weiss, Managing Director, International Policy and 
Regulatory Affairs, Continental Airlines.
    Warren R. Wilkinson, Vice President of Government Affairs and 
Corporate Communications, Republic Airways.
    William H. Williams, Jr., Aviation Director, North Carolina 
Department of Transportation.
    Thomas E. Zoeller, President and CEO, National Air Carrier 
Association.

[FR Doc. E8-2459 Filed 2-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P