Aero-News: Quote of the Day

ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues.

Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking.

Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day.

Let us hear from you, folks!

Aero-News Quote of the Day

"Senator, the stakes for the taxpayers in these negotiations could not be higher. Under the 199K agreement, base salaries for controllers have soared by more than 75 percent – from $64,877 in 1998 to $113,615 in 2005. When you add on premium pay and benefits (including special retirement payments not generally available to other federal employees), average cash compensation now exceeds $128,000 a year and total compensation, $166,000 a year. By comparison, FAA safety inspectors with considerable expertise and experience make significantly less."

Source: FAA Administrator Blakey to Senator Barack Obama, in explaining the FAA's position on negotiations with NATCA. 

FMI: www.faa.gov