Says Staffing Levels Less Than Half Than Federal Facilities

For all the talk about staffing levels at federal air traffic control towers... don't forget the fact 233 smaller FAA contract towers at airports throughout the country are hurting, as well. That's the message in a letter sent by Ron Taylor (right), president of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), to Florida Congressman Tim Mahoney this week. The unedited text of the letter is below.

Dear Congressman Mahoney,

There has been a lot of rhetoric in recent months about how understaffed the FAA’s Air Traffic Control facilities are, and all the safety worries, but there has been no mention from anyone about the two hundred thirty three (233) FAA Contract Towers (FCT) that the FAA is also responsible for, even though the actual work has been subcontracted to private contractors.

If there is a staffing shortage anywhere, then the FAA Contract Towers is where we should really look at first, because there are serious problems that exist. These towers are extremely important to the aviation community, and can be found just about anywhere in hometown America. The Contract Towers are almost mirror images of level 7 and lower FAA Tower facilities, with yearly operations very close to the same, however the staffing levels within these Contract Towers is less than half of what the FAA has or requires on the Federal side. A typical FAA Federal facility that runs 100,000 operations a year has on average ten (10) working controllers, while on average, the Contract Towers operate with only four (4).

Contract tower controllers are highly professional, and there safety record based on the Inspector General data, is better than the FAA’s. The controllers are required to meet or exceed the same rigid requirements of FAA Federal standards, yet they are seriously understaffed and overworked. In many cases, and at different times, these towers are staffed by only one controller, with no back up within the facility for any type of emergency. To allow this to continue is not only unsafe, but playing "Russian Roulette".

Safety is the number one priority of an Air Traffic Controller, but they are being pushed way beyond the limit. Staffing at these Contract Towers needs to be increased to ensure that the margin of safety is not compromised. There is no excuse for allowing any facility to be understaffed, anytime or anywhere. It’s is the taxpayers money that is paying for the service, and the powers to be, should be held accountable for allowing the current situation to exist.

I strongly urge that a congressional investigation be held to see why the current situation is being allowed to continue. The FCT air traffic controllers are doing their jobs above and beyond to the highest level, but the FAA and the contractor’s needs to be called on the carpet and held accountable for allowing understaffing to take place.

I would greatly appreciate discussing this matter further with you when you are back in Florida.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Ron Taylor

FMI: www.patco81.com, www.faa.gov, http://mahoney.house.gov/