On-Time Rating Plan Attacked: Consumer groups are...

On-Time Rating Plan Attacked: Consumer groups are attacking a government plan to exclude mechanical problems from the delays included in airlines’ on-time performance ratings. The Transportation Department issues periodic ratings of such performance. It began including delays caused by mechanical problems Jan. 1. But pilots and mechanics told the department they are afraid the change might result in pressure to start flights before they felt all safety concerns had been met, to avoid a delay or a cancellation. However, the consumer coalition discounted that concern this week. The coalition issued a statement asking the government to delay making the change while it seeks further comment, and it urged that delays caused by mechanical problems continue to be counted in published statistics. Former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Carl Vogt said he has confidence in the integrity of the people who make flight safety decisions--the crews, mechanics and executives. And David Stempler of the International Airline Passenger Assn. said consumers should have access to statistics on all flight disruptions, regardless of cause.