Air Controllers Clash With White House

Washington Post ^ | 08/15/03 | Don Phillips

[bedolido]

After years of labor peace under a friendly Democratic administration, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has chosen to take on the Bush administration over whether the Federal Aviation Administration can continue to contract out control towers at some smaller airports.

At first glance the boisterous duel seems to be over whether to continue unchanged a program that the union once tolerated. But beneath the surface, it represents a decision by the union and Senate Democrats to use the issue as a battleground for the Republican philosophy of privatizing functions now handled by government employees.

Union President John Carr said bluntly that he aims to head off any future plan to privatize other air traffic control functions.

"I'm not really comfortable leaving it up to ideologues when it's a matter of safety," Carr said.

The administration, however, says it does not have any plans to privatize the air traffic control system. Federal Aviation Administrator Marion C. Blakey and airport executives say Carr is merely trying to frighten his members by claiming the administration is lying to them on its intentions.

[bedolido]

After years of labor peace under a friendly Democratic administration...

The article starts pro-dim... blantantly biased

[KantianBurke]

The administration, however, says it does not have any plans to privatize the air traffic control system

[Paleo Conservative]

"I'm not really comfortable leaving it up to ideologues when it's a matter of safety," Carr said.

Especially union ideologues.

[secret garden]

Time to thin out their ranks again?

[Publius6961]

Didn't this happen once before?

I still grin in satisfaction every time I remember how Reagan dealt with it.

[Prof Engineer]

Paging Mr. Reagan, Mr. Ronald Reagan.

[ChewedGum]

Air Controllers Clash With White House

Whew...I was afraid they were going to start sending planes towards the building or something because they were mad. But no, just a strike (or threatened strike).

Gum

[blackdog]

Having been a frequent user of all airports in the country, the time spent with tower/ground personnel is slim. The majority of the time spent "in the system" is enroute and handoff's. The smaller municipal towers that are only open from like 7:00am until 10:00pm are a great service and are really appreciated. Those are most of the non-union towers.

The typical amount of time with a tower is spent outer marker inbound and consists of.....

"Vero Beach Tower, this is Citation niner niner Delta Echo, outer marker and with information Yakee"

"Citation niner niner Delta Echo, Vero Beach Tower......You are cleared to land, runway nine left"

"Tower, niner delta echo, roger,cleared to land".

"Niner Delta Echo, turn right first turnoff and contact ground 128.9, good day"

"Ground point nine, good day"

That's about it! Everything else(except taxi instructions) is still done by the federal controllers. All of whom are by whole the finest assembly of talent possible in the federal gubmint.

Don't mess with what ain't broke.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Ahem, I say, ahem. Does not these people remember the last time their union clashed with a pub prez?

[AMNZ]

Bring 'em on.

[Bonneville]

I've been an air traffic contoller for over 15 years. Even as a two time Reagan voter (who did the right thing I feel), the current union has done alot for safety issues. Especially pressuring for improvements to new automation systems. When high level management is paid bonuses for how fast a system is designed and aquired, and can play musical chairs every few years to dodge accountability, its union input that keeps them honest. (and us from working with junk).

[Mark17]

I still grin in satisfaction every time I remember how Reagan dealt with it.

Me too, and I was an air traffic controller for 20 years.

[afz400]

"After years of labor peace under a friendly Democratic administration..."
What is unknown to the general public is that Linda Daschle and Jane Garvey bought the silence of the air traffic controller's union (NATCA) by giving the controllers a 28% pay increase that was not appropriated by Congress. The money came from shortchanging other FAA development programs, including security.

[MoodyBlu]

"After years of labor peace under a friendly Democratic administration..." What is unknown to the general public is that Linda Daschle and Jane Garvey bought the silence of the air traffic controller's union (NATCA) by giving the controllers a 28% pay increase that was not appropriated by Congress. The money came from shortchanging other FAA development programs, including security.

Interesting! On what do you base the above statement with regards to Daschle and Garvey? Any links or are you in the FAA within close proximity to re-class? Regards,

MoodyBlu