Fuel Pressure Affecting Safety?

US Airways pilots have filed a complaint with the FAA claiming that the airline has been pressuring them to reduce the amount of fuel reserves they carry during their flights.

The pilots rightly feel that this infringes on their Pilot in Command authority, and may even compromise the safety of flight.

At least eight Captains have felt singled out for carrying just 10-15 minutes of extra fuel above the FAA Mandated 45 minutes of fuel reserves. 

With the large airlines constantly under increasing financial pressure, I guess they are looking to save additional costs by reducing the weight of the aircraft, and therefore reducing the amount of fuel burn.

I personally always carry more than the required reserves during flights.  It’s a personal choice of mine as Pilot in Command.

It will be interesting to see how this issue progresses.  You can read the entire article here.