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Return to Article: Panel backs language to reopen FAA, union contract talks

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  I have recently retired from a busy east coast center after 23 years "on the boards" as a controller at various towers and finally the center. The imposed work rules were a factor in my decision to retire as soon as I was eligible.

  Terry McGovern Posted July 23, 2007 10:02 PM
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  PGFREE - it sounds like you're sipping the same Kool-Aid that the FAA management people are. You say that you know ALL about what life as an ATC is like huh? You have (WOW) 10 whole years as an ATC huh? Where - an some podunk VFR tower somewhere? We work our ASSES off at my ATC-12 facility. The ATM managament tools that you speak about are just about useless in busy corridors like the east coast and west coast. WE separate and sequence the traffic, NOT the damn ATM tools! Come here during summer thunderstorms and watch us perform our magic. I EARN my money and I deserve every penny of it.

  Mark Sickle Posted July 20, 2007 8:21 PM
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  Hey there Mr. PGFREE. I bet your having been a controller for over 10 years doesn't include any recent time does it. As a REAL supervisory Air Traffic Controller, and a controller for almost 30 years, I see what these guys do day in and day out, and it's nothing short of incredible. They are the highest paid because they deserve to be. And as far as the "ATM (air traffic management) tools/computer systems currently in use at virtually all ARTCCs and TRACONs across the country", you must be kidding me right? What do they have to do with lessening a controllers workload. It's all about maximizing airspace and squeezing every bit of capacity out of the system, so don't talk to me about reducing thier workload 10 fold, because that is just a lie. An FAA management type lie. And where are those tools when the weather moves in? They are next to useless then, that's when the controllers really earn thier money. As far an NATCA goes, they are no worse or no better than FAAMA who lobbies congress for what they want for thier members. And while we're at it, let's tell the truth about the 5-15% pay bump they get for being coded as 2152's. First off it's maxed out at 10% and that is at the highest cost of living areas in the country, not all facilities get it.In fact most of them don't get anything I believe. Second of all , you conveniently forgot to mention that as a result of the "imposed work rules" they are going to lose 20% of that each year until it's gone. But management still gets it all. That's right, my paycheck didn't go down a dime this year. You speak like someone who used to be a controller and now is "hiding" from the traffic in some nice cushy office somewhere. Come on back, man, the water's fine. And we'll see how you change your tune about how overpaid and whiney these guys are. It seems to me by your post you are the one whining.

  disgruntled supervisor Posted July 8, 2007 11:35 PM
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  The whole idea of negotiating with NATCA is an oxymoron in and of itself. They have never 'lost' much less given any ground back at the bargaining table since 1981. Their pay, per controller, is the absolute highest among any Civil servants, yet they are the loudest, angriest mob in town when it's time for their contract 'negotiations'. And to submit that the FAA is so afraid to binding arbitration, is likewise ludicrous, and reveals their position at its weakest. The FAA should meet them at that level of accountability and their tune will change, Guaranteed. Their control over the FAA is a disgrace to civil servants across the Gov't spectrum that do far more, for far less, every single day. And don't give me any crap about Stress. Having been a controller for over 10 years, I know the ATM (air traffic management) tools/computer systems currently in use at virtually all ARTCCs and TRACONs across the country has simplified the 'process' and lessened their workload ten-fold. If anything, one could easily argue that the former PATCO guys had it far worse when Reagan fired them. Given they had to exercise true 'movement and control' of all air traffic, while enjoying the lack of technology, employing broken down antiquated analog systems. If their hypocrisy weren't enough, they currently enjoy an additional 5-15% pay bump, just for 'being' coded as a controller (2152); which is on top of their already enormous base pay. So any comments/quotes from their union (NATCA) about loyalty, commitment to the job, public trust etc. should be seen for what it is; politically motivated mumbo jumbo aimed at garnering media/public sentiment, while they (wine/dine) lobby light minded Congressional representatives into continuing to support pay raises. If Bush had any real guts, he'd fire them, not veto a bill.

  PGFREE Posted July 5, 2007 12:36 PM
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  It's too little too late. The experience drain momentum is in full force with controller retirements, air traffic delays at their worst, being hidden as weather delays, air traffic busier than ever and the FAA claiming they have plenty of bodies to replace the retirements. The problem is bodies do not control airplanes, certified controllers do that and it takes 2-3yrs. best case scenario, to get someone off the street certified, at the busy airports. It won't be like 1981, I know, I was there. Way too much airtraffic now and even the supervisors are retiring, which helped hold the FAA together in 1981. Good Luck.

  P. Lettres Posted July 3, 2007 1:32 PM
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  I never will understand the Civil Service mentality. This activity the highest paid activity in the country and they still complain. We had the inmates running the aslymn and writing their own paychecks As to not being able to train the new hires, I harken back to the Regan era when they were all replaced and airlines ran just fine. I recall a few years back some of the hardliners from the 80's stike begging to be reinstated and pledeging their loyality

  dan ketter Posted July 2, 2007 12:10 PM
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  Go ahead and veto the bill, let the money run out and the airplanes stand still and then what?

  G. mackey Posted June 30, 2007 1:09 AM
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  It is too little too late. Too many veteran controllers, like myself, have left the FAA because of the imposed work rules. They have created a hostile work environment and will eventually cause the TOTAL collapse of the National Airspace System. It is IMPOSSIBLE to train the new hires in sufficient time to help with the ever growing number of retirements. The sad part about this scenerio is that Marion Blakey will not be held accountable when the system shuts down. She will be promoted.

  Tom Rudolph Posted June 29, 2007 5:05 PM
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  If Mica Peters and Blakley are so sure the existing imposed work rules are fair and their way of doing business is fair why then are they afraid to go to binding arbitration?

  Victor Thomas Posted June 29, 2007 3:01 PM