Thu, Apr 14, 2011
Babbitt: "We Are Conducting A Top-To-Bottom Review"
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has accepted the resignation
of Hank Krakowski, who has served as the head of the agency's Air
Traffic Organization. The move follows a growing number of
incidents in which controllers have been caught or admitted
sleeping while on the job on overnight shifts in control
towers.
"Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional
conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused
the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their
safety," Babbitt said in a statement announcing the resignation.
"This conduct must stop immediately. I am committed to maintaining
the highest level of public confidence and that begins with strong
leadership.
"This morning (Thursday) I met with the head of our Air Traffic
Organization, the part of the Federal Aviation Administration
charged with operating our air traffic control system. Hank
Krakowski has submitted his resignation and I have accepted it.
Hank is a dedicated aviation professional and I thank him for his
service. Starting today, I have asked David Grizzle, FAA's chief
counsel, to assume the role of acting ATO chief operating officer
while we conduct a nationwide search to permanently fill the
position.
"We are conducting a top to bottom review of the way we operate
our air traffic control system. We are all responsible and
accountable for safety-from senior FAA leadership to the controller
in the tower. Employees at the FAA work diligently every day to run
the safest air transportation system in the world. But I will
continue to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure we
concentrate on keeping the traveling public safe."
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