Congressional Conference Committee Works Out Differences In House, Senate Bills

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill Friday agreed on a a plan that will put about 70 airports in the hands of private air traffic controllers, a move opponents say will cause huge safety headaches in the skies above us.

"The move to privatize our air traffic control system is a risky experiment that ignores the disastrous experiences around the globe," said Sonny Hall, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, in a prepared statement.

Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) was part of the conference committee that worked out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which authorizes spending for the FAA for the next four years. But he's still not happy. One of the control towers on the list, he says, is Van Nuys Airport. It's in Los Angeles airspace, the busiest in the world.

"You'll unravel all the skilled work force and hire it out," he said during a meeting of the conference committee Thursday night.

But majorities in the Republican-controlled House and Senate think otherwise. Still, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has no plans to privatize the ATC system, said administration spokesman Greg Martin. The full House and Senate must still approve the measure before it's sent on to President Bush.

FMI: www.faa.gov