Frequent asked questions
Q: What is aviation cabotage?
Q: How do I request DOT support for
my application for a waiver of my J-1 Visa 2-year residency requirements?
Q: What agency determines the time zone we live in?
Q: If I have a complaint about an airline, whom do I contact?
Q: I am a current law student and interested in an internship or in a permanent position after I graduate.
Where can I get information about those legal opportunities at DOT?
Q: What is aviation cabotage?
A. Airline cabotage is the carriage of air traffic that originates and terminates within the boundaries of a given country by an air carrier of another country. Rights to such traffic are usually entirely denied or severely restricted. Under 49 U.S.C. section 40109(g), we may authorize a foreign air carrier to carry commercial traffic between U.S. points (i.e., cabotage traffic) under limited circumstances. Specifically, we must find that the authority is required in the public interest; that because of an emergency created by unusual circumstances not arising in the normal course of business the traffic cannot be accommodated by U.S. carriers holding certificates under 49 U.S.C. section 41102; that all possible efforts have been made to place the traffic on U.S. carriers; and that the transportation is necessary to avoid undue hardship to the traffic involved (an additional required finding, concerning emergency transportation during labor disputes, is not relevant here).
For further information on interpretation of this requirement, contact the Office of International Law, Office of General Counsel, 202-366-2972, international.law@dot.gov, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Q: How do I request DOT support for my application for a waiver of my J-1 Visa 2-year residency requirements?
A. The applicant for waiver must complete the application package required by the Department of State. The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has thorough descriptions and instructions, including contact information, for those interested in more information on the J-1 visa program.
If the basis for the application is work being done on behalf of or to the benefit of an agency of the Department of Transportation, a copy of the application package should be sent to the Office of the Chief Counsel of the DOT modal agency, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that could endorse the application as being in the public interest of that mode of transportation.
Here are the address/phone for each modal Chief Counsels.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
National Headquarters
800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 900E
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 267-3222
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room E82-328
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 366-0740
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room W61-322
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 493-0349
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Visiting Address
1120 Vermont Avenue, NW
VFRA Stop 10
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 493-6050
Mailing Address
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC. 20590
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room W41-227
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 366-9511
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room E54-314
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-2434
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room W32-312
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0105
Maritime Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room W24-334
Washington, DC. 20590
(202) 366-5711
Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
East Building, 2nd Floor (PHC)
Washington, DC. 20590
(202) 366-4400
Research & Innovative Technology Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Room E35-334
Washington, DC. 20590
(202) 366-4412