Roost Air Lounge => Aviation related topics => Topic started by: Mike on April 15, 2006, 04:12:41 AM
Title: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 15, 2006, 04:12:41 AM
Check this out guys, this is scary:
http://www.natca.org/flyussafe/staffing.msp
Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 15, 2006, 10:06:36 PM
I didn't read all of it yet but it doesn't sound good at all. Did I understand it correctly that experienced ATC's aren't allowed to transfer to a bigger airport and therefore there isn't a good place to start teaching new ATC's at the same time (since it can't be a good thing to start new ones at a big airport)?
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on April 17, 2006, 06:04:23 PM
That is scary, but I'm not surprised. If you think about how long it's taken for the FAA to realize the ATC computer system is 50 years old, then this is just par for the course.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 17, 2006, 07:28:12 PM
One of the other drivers in the staffing is the number of "operations" at a given airport being used to determine staffing levels. While this makes sense in some regard for scheduling purposes, it's also being used overall. I suspect that the FAA is trying to play games in order to claim they need a bigger budget, and they want to get out from under the current hierarchy they report to organizationally.
A perfect example of this is at Lambert Field here in St. Louis (KSTL). I was doing some instrument approach practices at Spirit of St. Louis airport (KSUS), which is a nearby airport located SW of KSTL. This is an airport where TWA had it's main hub prior to being taken over by American airlines, then American decided to move their hub elsewhere... AFTER Lambert decided to go ahead with the runway expansion project here to handle the bigger projected traffic loads. Anyway, while doing practice approaches (this is before the new runway had started construction, but was in final planning stages and property purchasing), I hear the offer from ATC to see if I wanted to do a few over there! They needed the operation count bump apparently! It was not the only incident such as this that I've heard of. Apparently the FAA considers an "operation" to be a single landing or takeoff, which makes sense, but then they guage total staffing levels by counts inappropriately. At least, that's the story that seems to be emerging out of all this.
So... in addition to all that, and with having the Class B TCA changed for the new runway here, the level of commercial traffic no longer justifies the new runway project in reality. I will say that the benefit to the airport is being able to do true simultaneous IFR approaches in parallel. They've been having to step-stage approaches because the runways that existed before the expansion didn't have sufficient distance between them to avoid conflict alerts.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 17, 2006, 07:43:31 PM
I think what's happening is that the FAA is starting to privatize most of their operations eventually because they don't have any money. But of course they can't say that because it scares people to have any kind of control in private hands. Look what's happening with the flight service stations! Lockheed Martin took over the contract and I think eventually somebody like that might be running the whole thing. And guess who will be paying for the services from then on? We are only a few steps away but it's gonna happen very quietly. Our FSDO also has very little examiners left and one of them even mentioned that they might privatize the POI's as well eventually. Now we are a little scared about that because then every checkride is going to cost us money and we do a lot of checkrides, let me tell you...
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 17, 2006, 08:38:38 PM
I think what's happening is that the FAA is starting to privatize most of their operations eventually because they don't have any money. But of course they can't say that because it scares people to have any kind of control in private hands. Look what's happening with the flight service stations! Lockheed Martin took over the contract and I think eventually somebody like that might be running the whole thing. And guess who will be paying for the services from then on? We are only a few steps away but it's gonna happen very quietly. Our FSDO also has very little examiners left and one of them even mentioned that they might privatize the POI's as well eventually. Now we are a little scared about that because then every checkride is going to cost us money and we do a lot of checkrides, let me tell you...
I agree with you about the privatization trend. The only thing I would say is that the FAA budget has not been cut. In reality, it has recieved more money than in last years budget, etc. There was a reduction in the amount of the increase they got, but they did get an increase. This fact leads me to suspect the current FAA Administrator is playing games in hopes of getting the FAA out from under the current agency structure they report to by trying to claim it doesn't have the personnel to do it's job, hence generating an artifical privatization urgency, which then gives them the excuse for more fee-based access to services, etc. That ends up snowballing into another government entity with it's own out of control budget, and lets them do what they will with our tax money, and fee money. We really need to keep the FAA in check on this, or we'll end up like Canada, where one pays a high price to travel from point a to point b using a GA aircraft!
Just my two cents.... which if the FAA continues it's trend will cost $5.00 USD!
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 17, 2006, 08:43:50 PM
I suspect that the FAA is trying to play games in order to claim they need a bigger budget, and they want to get out from under the current hierarchy they report to organizationally.
Isn't that potentially a life-threatening game?
The big airports in DK are all privately run now, and they seem to work ok, but not all. Odense Airport is run by a english company but they've failed to gather the money for the airport in the contract etc. for 2 years now so it's not looking good. Kastrup (Copenhagen, EKCH) and Roskilde Airport the main training and GA airport in DK (EKRK) are run by the same company and they seem to be working ok but of course I'm sadly not that knowledge about those places.
It seems like many things aviation in USA are free or cheap vs in Europe, like low taxes and fees if any, that's interesting since that's what we have for more normal things here in Scandinavia. Free health-care, road-care (no road-pricing and only the great-belt bridge requires payment to cross but that's to pay it off), free schools right up to and including universities, and there is a system for financial support for students that doesn't have to be repaid as long as you don't cheat of course, and then there are normal study loans. I'd never have gotten my student-exam if DK didn't have that since my dad lost his job due to heart-trouble when I was 16 (he got a blod-clog near the heart the morning after my 16th birthday and that was the only time he's ever been seriously sick in his life). I actually think it's possible to get study support for the ATP education in DK but I'm not sure, it does require about 500K DKK which is about 80K USD I think.
Btw we haven't gotten an ATC in here so far have we? Could be great to hear from them since they are a crucial part of flying too, actually I think there are three people/groups to make aviation work, the controller, the pilot and the mechanic.
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 17, 2006, 09:05:19 PM
I suspect that the FAA is trying to play games in order to claim they need a bigger budget, and they want to get out from under the current hierarchy they report to organizationally.
Isn't that potentially a life-threatening game?
The big airports in DK are all privately run now, and they seem to work ok, but not all. Odense Airport is run by a english company but they've failed to gather the money for the airport in the contract etc. for 2 years now so it's not looking good. Kastrup (Copenhagen, EKCH) and Roskilde Airport the main training and GA airport in DK (EKRK) are run by the same company and they seem to be working ok but of course I'm sadly not that knowledge about those places.
It seems like many things aviation in USA are free or cheap vs in Europe, like low taxes and fees if any, that's interesting since that's what we have for more normal things here in Scandinavia. Free health-care, road-care (no road-pricing and only the great-belt bridge requires payment to cross but that's to pay it off), free schools right up to and including universities, and there is a system for financial support for students that doesn't have to be repaid as long as you don't cheat of course, and then there are normal study loans. I'd never have gotten my student-exam if DK didn't have that since my dad lost his job due to heart-trouble when I was 16 (he got a blod-clog near the heart the morning after my 16th birthday and that was the only time he's ever been seriously sick in his life). I actually think it's possible to get study support for the ATP education in DK but I'm not sure, it does require about 500K DKK which is about 80K USD I think.
Btw we haven't gotten an ATC in here so far have we? Could be great to hear from them since they are a crucial part of flying too, actually I think there are three people/groups to make aviation work, the controller, the pilot and the mechanic.
Frank
Potentially dangerous... perhaps... but it does depend on the traffic density involved. There are many more low-volume airports in the USA that have no control tower at all, than those with towers and controllers. In fact, if you look on a sectional chart for any part of the USA, look at the number of magenta airport symbols (dentoting uncontrolled fields), versus the blue airport symbols (denoting those with control towers). It's quite an eye opener indeed! In uncontrolled fields, the pilots flying into, and out of those airports are required to do their own separation using proper communication and approach techniques. It does require an extra bit of diligence, and talking, to properly manage flights into, out of, and around uncontrolled fields, but it is done safely daily many times over. It would, however, be unthinkable to have such a situation at a high volume airport. I much prefer having a controller with an extra set of Mark I eyeballs and possibly radar to help look out for traffic... not that it abbrogates the PIC's duties to also maintain vigilance in the cockpit. After all, the ultimate authority is the pilot.. hence the hard-earned title and privledge of Pilot In Command. A heady title.... with heavy responsibility in reality.
As for things in the USA being free versus other countries, it all depends on one's perspective. Nothing is truly free, when it comes right down to it. The FAA is funded by tax money, which we as citizens pay in. Of course, taxpayers, and the flying public (via taxes on airline tickets) all pay into the funding of the system. So, even if one may not pay a fee for ATC services when flying a GA aircraft here (yet), it's being paid for in other ways, and likely, in part, by the pilot using the services via taxes anyway.
In Europe it seems that taxes are very high, and they still impose such user fees on flights, to make up the difference allowing them to provide the free health care, road care, and tuition. In other words, the European system is much more akin to socialism in that regard, with wanting to provide a lot of "free" services paid for by the governments, but they still get their money from the people... one way or the other.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 17, 2006, 11:17:16 PM
Very true words, it takes a lot to pilot a vehicle, even on the ground and it shouldn't be underestimated but people have to work together for it to work (traffic). I do like to add that it doesn't need to be nervewrecking though, I still think piloting a vehicle is a great pleasure and I only enjoy it when I know what's going on and aren't left guessing. Btw, when is one a PIC, is that only for an ATP or anyone flying an aircraft?
Also true that costs have to be covered and the difference between USA and Europe is basically when and how you pay for the services. I could think it could be nice to have an idea on how much money was needed for a trip from one airport to another but I need a PPL to go into detail about that.
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 17, 2006, 11:52:54 PM
Very true words, it takes a lot to pilot a vehicle, even on the ground and it shouldn't be underestimated but people have to work together for it to work (traffic). I do like to add that it doesn't need to be nervewrecking though, I still think piloting a vehicle is a great pleasure and I only enjoy it when I know what's going on and aren't left guessing. Btw, when is one a PIC, is that only for an ATP or anyone flying an aircraft?
Also true that costs have to be covered and the difference between USA and Europe is basically when and how you pay for the services. I could think it could be nice to have an idea on how much money was needed for a trip from one airport to another but I need a PPL to go into detail about that.
Frank
The person operating the controls of the aircraft is considered the Pilot In Command. The only time this is not true is if you are a student pilot, and have an instructor with you. If you hold a rating for that category, and class of aircraft (i.e. Single Engine, Land) then you are considered P.I.C. if you are the sole manipulator of the controls. The time period when you are doing that is the time you log as P.I.C. in your logbook. If you let someone who is not rated in that plane fly it with you in it, they can't be considered P.I.C. because they are not rated in it, hence it's still your responsibility to maintain the safety and security of the flight. The term applies to all persons operating aircraft. And, as P.I.C. if you have an emergency, you are allowed, by regulations, to violate other rules and regulations to the extent necessary to meet that emergency. You don't have to obey an ATC order, for instance, if, in your judgement, you are not able to comply, or you feel it would increase danger. This is not a ticket to violate regulations, as you would be called upon to explain your actions, but I mention it because when the term Pilot In Command is used... it means just that. You as P.I.C. are the ultimate, and final authority regarding the safe conduct of your flight. It also is why it's an easy catch-all to blame pilots who fail to comply with all aspects of pre-flight preparations, or not following procedures by the book in flight, as having been contributory, or even the sole cause of a mishap. If you read through the NTSB reports some time, you'll see how they word things with the analysis. They'll say something like "CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS: Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient control inputs during a crosswind landing", etc.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on April 18, 2006, 04:00:30 AM
Very true words, it takes a lot to pilot a vehicle, even on the ground and it shouldn't be underestimated but people have to work together for it to work (traffic). I do like to add that it doesn't need to be nervewrecking though, I still think piloting a vehicle is a great pleasure and I only enjoy it when I know what's going on and aren't left guessing. Btw, when is one a PIC, is that only for an ATP or anyone flying an aircraft?
Also true that costs have to be covered and the difference between USA and Europe is basically when and how you pay for the services. I could think it could be nice to have an idea on how much money was needed for a trip from one airport to another but I need a PPL to go into detail about that.
Frank
The person operating the controls of the aircraft is considered the Pilot In Command. The only time this is not true is if you are a student pilot, and have an instructor with you. If you hold a rating for that category, and class of aircraft (i.e. Single Engine, Land) then you are considered P.I.C. if you are the sole manipulator of the controls. The time period when you are doing that is the time you log as P.I.C. in your logbook. If you let someone who is not rated in that plane fly it with you in it, they can't be considered P.I.C. because they are not rated in it, hence it's still your responsibility to maintain the safety and security of the flight. The term applies to all persons operating aircraft. And, as P.I.C. if you have an emergency, you are allowed, by regulations, to violate other rules and regulations to the extent necessary to meet that emergency. You don't have to obey an ATC order, for instance, if, in your judgement, you are not able to comply, or you feel it would increase danger. This is not a ticket to violate regulations, as you would be called upon to explain your actions, but I mention it because when the term Pilot In Command is used... it means just that. You as P.I.C. are the ultimate, and final authority regarding the safe conduct of your flight. It also is why it's an easy catch-all to blame pilots who fail to comply with all aspects of pre-flight preparations, or not following procedures by the book in flight, as having been contributory, or even the sole cause of a mishap. If you read through the NTSB reports some time, you'll see how they word things with the analysis. They'll say something like "CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS: Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient control inputs during a crosswind landing", etc.
This is also why, if they really want to, the FAA can always find some way to violate you under careless/reckless operations. Even if you didn't technically break any rules, you can still get in trouble.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 18, 2006, 04:12:21 PM
I remember having to pay $3.00 per landing in Austria when I was learning how to fly. You got some sort of a discount if you were a student pilot and you were doing touch and go's (like a block rate) but you had to pay for EACH LANDING!! I think if the FAA keeps developing the way it has been, especially the whole "we-don't-have-any-money" attitude although they didn't get any cuts yet if what Ted said is true, then I can forsee a lot of airports getting privatized which means more fees for us. Fees for the examiner, fees for each landing, fees for each checkride, fees fees fees... At least the AOPA is fighting for us wherever they can.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 18, 2006, 05:04:04 PM
I remember having to pay $3.00 per landing in Austria when I was learning how to fly. You got some sort of a discount if you were a student pilot and you were doing touch and go's (like a block rate) but you had to pay for EACH LANDING!! I think if the FAA keeps developing the way it has been, especially the whole "we-don't-have-any-money" attitude although they didn't get any cuts yet if what Ted said is true, then I can forsee a lot of airports getting privatized which means more fees for us. Fees for the examiner, fees for each landing, fees for each checkride, fees fees fees... At least the AOPA is fighting for us wherever they can.
That really stinks! A per landing charge could be rough on new students regardless! Imagine how much it would have cost Chuck when doing landing training! *Bounce* ($) *Bounce* ($) *Bounce* ($)!!!!
By the way, if you want to read the budget for the FAA....
One of the other things that people often hear about is the AIP Program cuts, which is the Airport Improvement Program. It had a true, proposed cut for FY 2006 that would have brought it below a the funding level where smaller airports would have had financial support for facility improvements. This is still undergoing review, and I have not heard if it will pass or not. Regardless, the AIP program is SEPARATE from FAA operational budgets, and should not affect controller staffing in either case.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: fireflyr on April 19, 2006, 09:45:17 AM
Thanks for the suggestion Ted---My checkride is tomorrow and I needed something in addition to warm milk so I could get back to sleep---*YAWN!!* Yep, it's working....nitey nite,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.....................
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 19, 2006, 03:10:27 PM
Thanks for the suggestion Ted---My checkride is tomorrow and I needed something in addition to warm milk so I could get back to sleep---*YAWN!!* Yep, it's working....nitey nite,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.....................
ROFL!!! Glad to be of help!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 19, 2006, 03:40:19 PM
At EKRK (Roskilde Airport, the secondary Copenhagen Airport) an aircraft weighing under 2000 kg (aka 2.0 metric ton or 4410 lbs) is charged 10.50 USD per take-off. If it's a schoolplane making touch-and-goes then after the first landing there's a 70% rebate, reducing the fee to 3.15 USD. (calculated from the danish homepage prices in DKK and using the latest exchange rate from DKK to USD).
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on April 19, 2006, 05:06:18 PM
10 bucks just to land?! That highway robbery! :)
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 19, 2006, 05:12:53 PM
Mike wrote what it cost in Austria when he learned to fly, and that was 1/3 of this, what's the price in a GA airport in California or some other compareable place? It almost read in Mike's post as it was free for some planes.
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 19, 2006, 05:35:27 PM
Landing is free in CA almost anywhere. Some fancy places like Santa Monica and such will have ramp fees but that's it. Not bad, huh?!
Hey Ted: I read some of the FAA budget (it did make me a little sleepy as well) and they talk about hiring 500 or so controllers this year. However, they still have 2,500 or more retiring soon as it says in the link of my first post. Of course it doesn't say that in the FAA document. I stick with my statement: SCARY !!
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 19, 2006, 05:42:54 PM
Landing is free in CA almost anywhere. Some fancy places like Santa Monica and such will have ramp fees but that's it. Not bad, huh?!
Hey Ted: I read some of the FAA budget (it did make me a little sleepy as well) and they talk about hiring 500 or so controllers this year. However, they still have 2,500 or more retiring soon as it says in the link of my first post. Of course it doesn't say that in the FAA document. I stick with my statement: SCARY !!
I agree! They are trying to increase available budget via reductions through attrition. I don't dispute they are reducing the numbers of controllers, just pointing out that they have not really had a true budget cut as they claim in their attempts to justify the attrition reduction initiative.
We're on the same page, Mike :)
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 19, 2006, 07:46:40 PM
Oh yeah, I knew we are on the same page. I was just trying to point out that both sites show a decrease of controllers, and the fact that they're cutting people although their budget hasn't been cut is even more scary isn't it?!?!?
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on April 19, 2006, 07:50:56 PM
Oh yeah, I knew we are on the same page. I was just trying to point out that both sites show a decrease of controllers, and the fact that they're cutting people although their budget hasn't been cut is even more scary isn't it?!?!?
Absolutely... especially in light of the projected increase in all air traffic levels... commercial, military, and GA.
We need a nailbiting smiley I think! :( I just hope that the FAA is actually working towards things with safety in mind... but I think that our fear is well founded.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on April 19, 2006, 07:52:45 PM
This was part of an email I got the other day. It had to do with Katrina and that stuff but it applies here as well:
> > v A billion seconds ago it was 1959. > > v A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. > > v A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age. > > v A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet. > > v A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the >rate our government is spending it. >
And the FAA is spemding 13.78 billions this year
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Mike on May 16, 2006, 01:58:02 AM
Here is another scary one written by an ATC controller. It caused quite a stirr in the AOPA forum since there are pilots being pissed off because they have a hard time raising ATC on the radio and FAA guys getting all worked up because of these pilots. Wow! It's a Frank-length post but it's well worth reading it. PLUS the little link is pretty cool!
Friends,
I hope you guys can download the link below. Think your airplane is the only one up there? Think again. Notice at 30 seconds, the severe weather (in red) covers Memphis airport, aircraft begin holding, and the ones running out of fuel head to their alternate airports. Taking three strings of airplanes going 400+ mph and putting them into a nice line so you can jam them into an airport that is about to close is quite impressive. To do it with thunderstorms takes skill, practice, and steely nerves. I am fairly certain that this controller left work that day with a headache. Our job is fun sometimes. This wasn't one of them.
Last summer, our union, NATCA, and the FAA started negotiating a new Contract. The last one was signed in 1998. On the day before negotiations started, the appointed head of the FAA, Marion Blakey, used taxpayer money to fund press conferences around the country telling the American people that their controllers are overpaid and underworked. On April 5, Blakey took advantage of a provision that allowed her to send her last offer to Congress. If they do not act within 60 days, then she gets to IMPOSE her pay and work rules on Air Traffic Controllers. Knowing this, she had NO incentive to negotiate with us in good faith. FAA declared impasse (or stalemate) on April 5th at 3:04PM. At 5:00PM, she submitted a 300 page last-offer document to Congress, right before they left on a two week Easter break. So, instead of sixty days, they only had about forty six. Smart? Maybe. Telling of her character and true 'bad faith' intentions? Definitely. Up until 3:04, the FAA was still obligated to negotiate in good faith by trying to reach a voluntary agreement. While NATCA worked through the night Tuesday to offer even more pay concessions, the FAA was instead preparing their submission to Congress to start the 60 day clock before they left town.
On June 5, the new and unimproved work rules and pay cuts will serve as a disincentive for retirement-eligible controllers to continue working. There were 15,300 U.S. controllers two years ago. Under Blakey's leadership, there are now 14,300. By 2007, 4000 controllers, hired en masse after the 1981 strike, will be eligible to retire By 2011, over half the work force (8000) will be eligible. Five years may seem like enough time to get ready; however, it takes about three years to get a controller fully certified. NATCA believes pay cuts, stricter dress codes, and other work rule changes guaranteed to lower morale even further will exacerbate current staffing problems by convincing veteran controllers to turn in their headsets. Speaking of dress codes, do you care if that Memphis controller was wearing jeans or even shorts and a golf shirt, or is it that important that he was wearing dockers and a button down? Obviously, we like being comfortable when we work.
What does this mean to general aviation aircraft, airlines and their passengers? Well, take away the Dallas Cowboys' right tackle and a wide receiver and see how many points they score. Take away the right tire changer on a NASCAR pit crew. Send two DEA agents to bust up a drug ring when they really need four. Cut the number of firemen at your local firehouse by a quarter. You won't notice....unless there's a fire. Tell the surgeon who is about to do that by-pass that he has to work with one less nurse. Don't backfill when your Assistant Pastor leaves and demand the Senior Pastor provide the same level of service.
The FAA is trying to do more with less. That's an OK business model unless, of course, your business happens to be safety. The FAA has bragged about staffing their supervisor ranks at 100%, while the controller ranks are staffed at about 86% and dropping, partly because they promote their supervisors from the controller workforce. MORE supervisors watching FEWER controllers work MORE airplanes. Makes sense to me! For now, controllers are good enough to make it work, but you can only stretch a rubber band so far before it snaps.
The FAA wants the public to believe this is all about money. Of course, money is always part of any contract negotiation, but it is also about what happens to the system if you give a large group of controllers a disincentive to stay. Although I'd like to keep my current salary and get the same cost of living adjustments that all federal employees receive, my family can and will adjust to a pay cut just like many Americans do every day; however, like all controllers, I am forced to retire at age 56. Many people can continue earning a good salary into their sixties. I cannot.
Controllers are NOT asking for a penny more than we get now. In fact, in the last few days of negotiations, NATCA offered $1.4 Billion in salary cuts over the five year contract, while the FAA "moved" from $1.9 Billion to $1.9 Billion. Again, NATCA moved $1.4 Billion in a desperate goodwill attempt to reach a voluntary agreement, and the FAA moved zero. They claim they need the money for equipment upgrades. In Texas, we have a term for that explanation, and it starts with "bull." This is all about exerting their control over the people who keep you safe and trying to break their union, a union by the way which was at the forefront of every successful implementation of equipment and procedure upgrade from 1998-2004.
On 9-11, controllers did something we've never trained for or even discussed, the clearing of U.S. airspace. In about two hours, controllers landed 5000 planes without a single incident. In 2005, controllers in New Orleans worked around the clock coordinating thousands of rescue flights even though some of them had lost their homes. They slept whenever the could, wherever they could. In Baton Rouge and Lafayette, controllers worked almost four times their normal traffic levels for weeks. Controllers from Florida, Texas and across the South took annual leave to rush to the scene bringing food, water, portable toilets, etc. to help keep the operation going. During Rita, Beaumont and Houston controllers stayed on duty while their families evacuated. Time and again, controllers have come through for the American people. Now, we need you to come through for us and your ATC system.
If you are interested in helping... Call 1 877 FAIR FAA. You will be connected to your Senator. Tell them you want them to support Senate Bill 2201 which will restore fairness to the FAA and NATCA negotiating process.
Go to http://fairfaa.com and click on "FairFAA" to send an EMail. It might take three minutes to do both.
Senate Bill 2201 guarantees us nothing but a fair shake. It simply says that if the two sides reach impasse and Congress does not act, the Parties go to Binding Arbitration. It would take away the FAA's disincentive to negotiate in good faith. There are currently a majority of House members who have co sponsored the bill, including about 60 Republicans; yet, under White House pressure, Speaker Hastert refuses to allow it to come up for a vote. In the Senate Bill, we have about 40 co-sponsors, but there are others who say they will support it if it comes up for a vote. That is where your phone calls can help.
The following is a current snapshot of most of the airplanes in the United States. Click on during a weekday late morning or afternoon. This doesn't include VFR aircraft and most other general aviation aircraft, which would probably add about 30%. It will give you an idea of what is going on up there. When you are comfortably seated on your next flight, think about us, because I can promise that we're thinking about you.
You get from Point A to Point B safely because of professional controllers, pilots, mechanics and other workers, not because of Marion Blakey.
Feel free to forward this message to anyone who flies.
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Frank N. O. on May 16, 2006, 09:32:08 AM
Let me get this straight, that's an honest post about the general situation for ATC's and pilots at AOPA just got mad at the poster? That sounds very wrong to me. I already think that the controllers are doing a massive job and have already heard about the increasing need for new controllers but this seems to describe a situation even worse than I thought it was :(
Did I read it correctly that the person that's supposed to speak the case of controllers actually made it worse for them and don't understand the real need and concentrate on parts of the job that's not at all the critical parts, like dress-code instead of workinghours that a human can actually tolerate and pay you can live off? Seriously, a dresscode, they're on the radio and yes I think they should be comfortable as long as they are descent since it could only help comfort for them at thereby concentration and thereby safety so a dress-code sounds like they (the leaders) are trying to give a good image to the public in areas that are totally unimportant and in the situation as it is will actually spend critical energy and funds to the exact wrong place and I doubt a nice shirt will decrease anger from lack of good controllers or controllers making a bad job due to sheer exhuastion due to their living and working conditions.
I wish I could help but since I'm not an american then I don't have a senator to call :(
Frank
Title: Re: Controller Shortage?
Post by: Roland on May 17, 2006, 04:41:37 PM
I don’t know where this all is going to. In Europe we have this problem already for a longer time period. People and services get cut back and the remaining have to take over the work of the people thrown out. But for less money and with the sword of Damocles over their necks to be lucky to still have the job and to be sacked at any time.
So no wonder there is no motivation amongst the young people to enter the wide field of aviation. Especially into the responsible but invincible jobs. In other threads there is the discussion about cost of flying. Here in Europe flight-control had to be privatised years ago by the decision of the European Commission. Now guess what happened.
Sometimes I think there are well-paid people doing their best to kill aviation. Our EASA at least is some steps ahead of the FAA and proud of it. My job at the moment is to train young boys as mechanics. But I also see the idiotic things “competent” authorities (EASA term. Competent in my understanding also has to do with “be able to …”) do just to hinder this attempts.
We in Europe have nobody to call. Those things happen in anonymity somewhere in Strasbourg or Brussels. Quietly.
