Thu, Jun 11, 2009
NATCA v FAA... Again
It's been a few days since we heard
that NATCA wasn't happy about something and wouldn't you know that
the party that they're STILL most unhappy with happens to have the
initials 'F.A.A.'
What a surprise (grin).
This time, the villain is an FAA plan to split the tower and
radar control functions at Memphis International Airport, which
NATCA claims, 'advanc(es) a controversial management agenda and
reject(s) a torrent of concern from Congress and air traffic
controllers who continue to urge the agency to delay this and
future facility realignments until a process is put in place that
is fact-based, transparent and includes all stakeholders.
NATCA alleges that the move was 'the second such split of a major
US airport control facility this year in which the FAA completely
disregarded the concerns of a bipartisan coalition of Congressional
members and air traffic controllers who see the split as driven by
power-hungry FAA management looking to put a band-aid on a gaping
wound of staffing shortages, training problems and the pursuit of
cost savings yet to be identified or proven. In January, the FAA
split Orlando's tower and radar functions -- citing understaffing
as the primary reason -- thus reducing the margin of safety,
degrading the efficiency of the operation and depriving new
trainees of having the critical experience of knowing how the
entire operation at a major airport works.'
NATCA President Patrick Forrey (pictured below) said the FAA's
decision to ignore Congress and NATCA's pleas for a moratorium on
realigning facilities until a common sense approach to the issue
can be developed only increases the urgency with which Congress
must act to pass a final FAA bill to hold the FAA accountable on
this important safety and operational issue. Last month, the House
passed its version of the FAA reauthorization bill that does just
that.
"The FAA is moving forward on ad hoc air traffic control
facility and service realignment efforts without a comprehensive
review procedure to determine whether the realignment provides an
operational benefit to users, increases safety and efficiency,
and/or saves the taxpayer money," Forrey said.
"FAA Reauthorization is needed to
provide that review procedure and compel the agency to subject all
current realignment efforts to this needed layer of oversight,
accountability and transparency. Just as with technological
development, realignment efforts completed in a collaborative
environment will ensure benefits are realized rather than
squandered."
Added Victor Santore, who represents controllers in both Memphis
and Orlando in his role as NATCA's Southern Regional Vice
President: "The FAA defied the wishes of over 150 members of
Congress and severed operations at the Memphis air traffic control
facility. FAA management officials consider themselves accountable
to no one. Administrator (Randy) Babbitt should be able to bring
accountability back to the FAA and we hope to meet with him soon on
this issue."
According to NATCA's current beef, the FAA is plowing ahead with
more facility realignment plans, including those in Colorado,
Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio, unless the FAA
listens to Congress' 'overwhelming opposition' to this plan.
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