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• 73949
  

  To all you prior to 81 PATCO goons. Good god man it has been 28 years and you are still obsessed and crying about the past, get a life! I have zero sympathy for you and your fellow criminals. You violated the law by participating in an illegal strike. You violated the trust of the citizens and your country. Fast forward 23 years an there is NATCA wasting tens of thousands of dollars on anti-Bush election ads. NATCA ignores history and once again, spurned on by ego driven fools takes on a sitting president. Then they acted like the victims when their contract was squashed.

  It is wonderful being away from the FAA BS, even better being away from the NATCA morons!

  I reached retirement by completing my obligation to our country. You screwed up, stop crying about it!

  Gary Lapple Posted April 4, 2009 1:35 PM
• 67594
  

  To all you post "81" people. Its only taken you 28 years to figure out how bad we had it prior to "81"..Everything you guys are talking about was going on with our PATCO brothers and sisters. Union names change, but its all the same. We can only keep fighting and wear dem bas***** down..I was proud of my career but not of the FAA.

  GB Posted January 29, 2009 11:55 AM
• 56394
  

  A majority of us veteran military know, that when someone retires, most likely they had been in a staff position. Meaning, they have not worked traffic for years.

  Then you do not know squat, Full Performance Level (FPL) CONTROLLERS are retiring right now or as soon as they are eligible to. Some are not waiting for retirement eligibilty and are QUITTING.

  I retired late '06 with 24 years 11 months full time ATC experience. Time in any sort of staph infection* position ..... ZERO!

  Good luck getting the Failed Aviation Administration to fix anything like the age 31 rule.

  Crude - D10 Escapee 12-26-06

  *Intentional

  Don Craig Posted August 13, 2008 9:42 PM
• 47188
  

  I resigned yesterday from Houston Center. I have military experience and today im sitting here without a job the happiest person in the world. I should have stayed my dumb ass in the Air Force. I had thursday fridays off here at ZHU meaning i worked weekend nights. When i was at the academy i could barely pay 2 rents with what i was getting, now they are getting per diem and bonus. I was only here 11 months, next month i would have had 12 months in. I could not stay any longer I had some of the worst WCG instructors. During my training on the simulator i was being yelled and cursed at daily until i complained which everyone before me did too. I just thought it was a game but whatever. I it would get better on the floor but after 2 days the guy that was training me was going freakin nuts. The supervisor who assigned him my trainer told me the guy wasnt meant to train before he assigned him to me. So after only 1 week on the floor which was yesterday i resigned. I be damn if I'm going to let folks talk to me any kind of way and have horrible days off. Not to mention the horrible pay and miserable the whole time im there. I have been offered a contract job which is paying over $100,000 for easy work. I will let people belittle me and have horrible days off if the pay was right. Right now it just wont happen!

  Dricc Posted March 25, 2008 1:22 PM
• 42776
  

  People have no idea about what is going on in ATC. I was certified on 6 D-sides in ZME ARTCC and was affected by this "contract". I have had many jobs and also am a pilot with a regional air carrier now. I am happy that I quit the FAA even though I was 3/4 through training. I took a $50,000 pay cut by doing this. They would not let me transfer to another facility when my husband an officer in the military was deployed and restationed. What a great federal job!!?? Everyone says SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. I ask where was the support there? Good luck to those who haven't resigned yet..

  jacqueline johnson Posted February 1, 2008 9:00 AM
• 40546
  

  I have to wonder how many of you with your valid complaints voted for a republican in the last two pres. elections?

  Penny Posted December 30, 2007 11:38 PM
• 40525
  

  Contract out all ATC, the goverment breeds buch of cry babbies who sob at the public/media.... Let capitalism handle this problem... Oh yea thats right we cant possibly give safety to the lowest bidder!! We do it everyday with every aspect of american life including the darn planes that we sit in!!!

  conserned Posted December 29, 2007 2:41 PM
• 40333
  

  I agree, been staing this for years, the public law age 31, is taking the seasoned controllers military/contract out of a game where, they need players off the bench. We are out here and you can fill your void, just listen to people and get rid of the 31 age requirement

  Tim Moore Posted December 22, 2007 2:48 AM
• 38191
  

  Get rid of the age restriction. There are plenty of military controllers age 32-45 who are willing to venture into the FAA. Not talking about the retiree progam. A majority of us veteran military know, that when someone retires, most likely they had been in a staff position. Meaning, they have not worked traffic for years. However, that 32-38 year person (E-5 thru E-6) is still a working controller. The age restriction is ridiculous. If the FAA would consider this option, we probably would not be speaking about this issue.

  ll Posted November 26, 2007 11:38 AM
• 36468
  

  I'm a 25 year veteran of ATC and have great admiration for the people who work the air traffic. In all those years we have battled the conditions of workload,work environment,ever increasing waste in government spending on failed technology and ever increasing ineptitude in management. Now FAA is embarking on it's most grandiose misrepresentation to Congress in the form of the multi billion dollar project NexGen. They are riding the ranks of our only survivable resources out of the workforce in hope that technology can replace us. As most 25 year veterans retire early, their replacements are not prepared for the ATC system of today or tomorrow. The NexGen technology is unproven, and will likely fail as many other technology programs have failed. The only proven resource for air traffic is our current veteran workforce. We have been derided, and punished unfairly by management unwilling to bargain in good faith. The eroding conditions have severely impacted the morale veterans who rebuilt the controller workforce after it's demise in 1981. The FAA couldn't replace controllers with computers then and cannot do it now. I see the new hires struggling to commit to this profession when each day they are treated as insignificant. Many wanting to perform but being told to wait their time as other trainees before them struggle to get training time under low veteran staffing levels. It is unfortunate that such a previously proud and honorable public servant profession has been turned into a 7/24 convenience store organization selling bargain priced, reduced services to the public. I can not justify remaining any longer in this crippled profession. I empathize with the exasperation expressed by my coworkers who have commitments in their lives that make it impossible to retire or change professions. New hires who gave up better paying jobs in hopes of a meaningful and successful career are doubting their survivability into the future. I regret that my proud service to our nation now comes to such a pitiful end and leaves me with feelings persecution and disrespect from the government that I served for more than 30 years of combined military and civilian service. I fear that it is too late to recover from the losses we have experienced. NexGen will not be there for the next generation. Our nation will suffer tremendously by the hands of its leaders.

  Ken Flaherty Posted November 2, 2007 4:07 PM
• 35058
  

  I loved my job with the FAA, I always tried to remember where I came from (the boards) but I decided to leave last year I did not retire I resigned. I was not going to treat the people that are doing the job the way that I was told I was supposed too by my manager. My job in my mind was to be there to help them do their job and to watch their back not stab them in the back when they were not looking. The current management attitude is lets get them at all cost. I feel bad for the people that are left and for the new people coming in. And oh by the way the new pay is not worth the head ache and the loss of family time that you will have to give up to take this job. New Applicants beware.

  LB Posted October 17, 2007 12:36 AM
• 34618
  

  The agency states they are trying to put the right people at the right places. Eighteen months ago I needed a transfer to PHL to join my family who proceeded me to Philadelphia by 7 months. I was forced to enter retirement after numerous excuses why PHL could not take me even though I was a high candidate. I have tried to re-enter the workforce since I have several good years left, only to have every door slammed. Even the bids put out for reinstatement of former employees is a joke, as it would cost me about $20,000.00 per year cut in income from what I am receiving for just staying home. I am willing to return to the boards and help the system, but the system does not want to help me! GOD help them!

  Richard Thackray Posted October 9, 2007 3:59 AM
• 34174
  

  I don't think it's a matter of incompetent applicants as it is incompetent FAA. The training is horrible once your are placed and takes much longer than it should. They have not changed the training regimen in the last 5-7 years, so what difference does the "score" of 70 or above even mean? Fuirst hand in our center, nothing in training has changed to accomodate the "70 and over" applicants.

  Frustrated Posted October 1, 2007 9:42 PM
• 34162
  

  I had planned on going the distance and working for another seven years, but things as they are.....I'm leaving next summer. The Agency has lost track of the fact that it is people who control air traffic. Technology is still decades away from working any live traffic. When one considers the ridiculous work schedule (times of the day) and the total inability to conduct a normal social life (rotating days off, etc.) many of the new work rules, not to mention the stress of actually working airplanes render this job so emotionally and psychologically difficult that the current management philosophy has created a "last straw" for many of us who love to do what we do.

  RC Posted October 1, 2007 5:06 PM
• 33885
  

  I was a controller in the Air Force for 4 yrs, a contract controller oversea for 1 yr and have just recently been hired by the FAA. I am trying to look at it long term in hopes of a new contact being aggreed upon soon, but, unless an aggreement is meet soon, I'm not going to be with the agency long.

  Stephen Watson Posted September 26, 2007 7:43 PM
• 32678
  

  26 years for me this week. I'm retiring the end of the year which is 3 years earlier than planned. Blakey, Johnson, Ducharme and others have destroyed an enjoyable career. Post strike management has been a real piece of work. But how much do these people really know about our job.

  DY Posted September 11, 2007 12:57 AM
• 32672
  

  The "new" FAA sees controllers as "impediments" to the system, that must be overcome by advance techology and harsh work rules. They also view us all as being equally efficient, regardless of experience level. When I was hired 25 years ago you needed a score on the controller test in the upper 90's just to get hired, then over half from there failed the initial screen phase before even being placed into a facility (where the washout rates varied from 20-80%). Now, because of the lack of pay and impossed work rules (meaning less quality applicants), any score over 70 gets you hired, there is no pass/fail at the screen phase, and we as trainers at the facility are told to ensure a success rate close to 90% at the facility level. So how does the system survive? We slow it down, that's how. If a new trainee can only handle 50% of the work load of an experienced controller in order to survive (get checked out) then that's what they do. Slow the problem down to a work level acceptable to their talents and experience. Bottom line: Safety is not compromised, but delays go through the roof. And don't blame me, I do the best I can every day with what the FAA gives me.

  John Hellander Posted September 10, 2007 5:53 PM
• 32422
  

  The FAA is a sinking ship. After 24 years of FAA service, it really is disturbing to feel the way I do toward an employer that I used to be proud to work for. A few years ago I had planned on working until I was 56. Now there is no incentive for me to stay past 50 with the current imposed work rules, frozen pay, 6 day weeks/10 hour days plus training our replacements. Here at MCO, we have lost 43 FPL's in the last year or so, with 37 FPL's remaining and 30 trainees. I pity my brothers and sisters who will have to rebuild the FAA that our administration has dismantled.

  Notime2spare Posted September 7, 2007 8:24 AM
• 32353
  

  I too was a CTI student, and desired to become an Air Traffic Controller. When I got the call 1.5 yrs after graduation I was already making more money in the private sector than the Government was willing to pay. Why would I accept the erratic work schedule and an increase in potential stress level for a decrease in income? Nice work Marion!

  John Posted September 6, 2007 2:15 PM
• 32167
  

  I hear your frustration about the high cost of salary, but have you ever given a second thought to paying the salary of the surgeon working on your head or back? I thought not. We are a very skilled, very dedicated work force. Most controllers don't even come close to that salary. Most controllers in busy facilities are only making that much because they're working 6 day work weeks and 10 hour days. Our bodies and minds can only take so much of that before we burn out. Even with the worst working conditions, mental and physical, since the PATCO strike of 81', the US controllers are still doing their level best to get you the flying public home safely. Remember....Safety is our business and business is good!

  Chuck Adams Posted September 5, 2007 12:33 AM
• 31968
  

  Spoiled prima donnas! Air traffic controllers at busy facilities make over $170K in salary alone plus benefits! We will all be better off when Rashid over in India is controlling our airplanes from afar for $2.00 a day.

  jennifer thompson Posted August 31, 2007 5:16 AM
• 31955
  

  I am a CTI graduate and when starting my studies I was under the impression of a high paying, fast paced intense job. After graduating and realizing over the last year of what a mess the FAA is in and how crappy of a job ATC has become, I am now thousands of dollars in student loan debt with a zero desire to become a controller. There are many others in my position. Good luck to the FAA for finding quality replacements, They are not going to find quality people off the street, and the cti students that do join the workforce will already have a hate for their employer, good way to start a relationship. CTI students are the ones getting screwed the most.

  Jordan Posted August 30, 2007 10:08 PM
• 31876
  

  The FAA is a train wreck. Within the next 8-12 months the National Airspace System will be a memory. How can you entrust a more than a trillion dollar industry to people who can barely decide what they want for lunch on any given day. Talk about terrorism, they just hit the country again and they are the ones who did it and they have no clue how it happened. You just can not make this stuff up!

  Run away Posted August 29, 2007 9:58 PM
• 31608
  

  I can tell you that there is corruption from the top down. Most of the architects of this inane plan have rewarded themselves with bonuses in the spirit of Enron and other high-level criminal organizations. It's just a matter of time before the whole thing unravels.

  Jay Cee Posted August 26, 2007 1:03 PM
• 31557
  

  Wow this is a big incite for me. I am in the military eagerly and striveing for qualifications that will look good on a FAA Application. When i could get contract employers that pay the same or now maybe more and are much better work atmospheres. My life long goal was to control in the FAA but now this adds a new light to things. Maybe time to reconsider. And now that you mention it i know some former military controlers that took right around a 50% pay cut when they left the military and went FAA. Good luck to all that are in the bad position. I may just sit tight right where I am.

  JB Posted August 25, 2007 5:39 AM
• 31413
  

  I have been free from the FAA mess for 14 months. My suggestion is Go Greyhound.

  Gary Lapple Posted August 22, 2007 9:32 PM
• 31302
  

  With 30 yrs. experience,and after checking out at 4 level 5 facilities I retired June 30,o7,at the ripe old age of 49. Because of Blakey and her imposed work rules and the stupidity of FAA management. I helped rebuild the system in 1981. I won't do it again in 2007. I won't fly any more and I pity the folks not elegible. Free at last!

  Terry Posted August 21, 2007 9:28 AM
• 31282
  

  There are going to be even more losses than they expect. First, many of these new hires have college degrees. A lot of them are quitting already since they can easily make as much or more in the private sector, with weekends/holidays off, no night shifts, etc. A sane schedule making about the same $$? It's a no-brainer.

  In many places a new controller can look forward to at least 10 YEARS of Weds-Thurs off before they have a shot at some weekend days off. What about never being able to see one of your kid's soccer matches because you're working every Friday night until the end of time? In our facility this summer, less than HALF of the controllers got even one week vacation when school was out. Families went to Disneyland without Dad because he had to work.

  Next summer when even more retire rather than face another summer of 60 hour weeks, getting killed every night from 3pm to 1am, many of these new hires will quit as well. They have no loyalty to the FAA, who they feel shafted them, and not enough time in where they feel like they can't leave. When these folks see their schedules next July, scheduled for 6 night weeks for the foreseeable future, and denied any vacation time with their families, I fear the attrition will be horrendous. And Blakey's statement that the IWR has nothing to do with it? Riiight. I know quite a few who were going to work till 56 that are now leaving the day they're eligible because they're tired of being treated like dirt.

  Finally, there are people like me who aren't eligible to retire for a while, who spent the last few years getting a degree in something else, and are applying for jobs in other agencies. This job is killing me. It will only get worse, I'm too old to work 60+ hours per week. I can't do it. I want to move and will take a massive pay cut whether I go to another FAA job or go work for OPM. Why not go with the agency that has a sane, healthy schedule and a good rep as an employer, vs the FAA, who sent a controller home last week the day after her house burned down because they didn't like the clothes she borrowed. And then they wonder why they scored just about dead last in the EAS. It won't surprise me to see the controller workforce down 40% next summer since they'll be losing people from the top, bottom and even the middle.

  Bleak Posted August 20, 2007 10:06 PM
• 31238
  

  After 22 1/2 years with the agency, doing a job I absolutely loved, stress and all, I am looking for a new career. It IS BECAUSE OF the FAA's IMPOSED WORK RULES. For the first time in over 22 years a temporary supervisor, who is overboard on the "taking back the agency'" threatened me with insubordination because I would not sign a briefing item that required things of me that I did not understand. He could not even answer my questions regarding the new procedures and threatened me anyway. In 22 years I HAVE NEVER BEEN THREATENED WITH INSUBORDINATION! I will not be subjected to threats, belittlement, degradation and a HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT. It is Marion's fault for allowing the safest air traffic system in the world to begin tumbling down around our knees. Goodbye to IWR's deeming me a prisoner in a NAZI work camp, hello to a free citizen living in a free world with constitutional rights.

  Is this the US? Posted August 20, 2007 1:44 AM
• 31235
  

  All I can say to Marion Blakey is "don' let the door hit you in the behind next month!" I am had planned on moving to Arizona before I retire in 5 years, but I just received an offer from a tower in Arizona at the cost of a $60,000 pay CUT!! She has single-handedly DESTROYED the greatest ATC system in the world.

  Scott Posted August 19, 2007 11:23 PM
• 31225
  

  I came into the FAA 20 years ago from the military. The new controllers we are getting now are coming with no experience. The military and DOD controllers will not come to the FAA, they make more and have better hours where they are. The trainees as a result are taking over three years to certify, and thats at slower facility's. Blakey is nuts if she thinks the IWR's had nothing to do with retirements. I'm eligible in 4 years and have a count down calendar. Get rid of her and make my work place a nice place to work again and i'll stay till 56!

  Andy Posted August 19, 2007 8:17 AM
• 31220
  

  Hi, I am 16 years old and I am thinking about being an air traffic controller. However, I have a color deficiency. Is it still possible for me to be an ATC?

  Ryan Posted August 18, 2007 11:05 PM
• 31218
  

  Morale is awful in ATC land. If the general public could only know what a lousy job the higher ups are doing with their tax dollars they would be livid. I used to love being a controller. Now i hate going to work.

  The people running the FAA have NO CLUE what the heck they are doing. They are absolutely ruining what used to be a fine system. And there is NO accountability at all.

  If you guys only knew what was going on with the staffing, or lack there of, it would make you just a bit nervous. Call your Legislature.

  Brian Posted August 18, 2007 9:53 PM
• 31205
  

  The current total disrespect for controllers and the job we do is unexcuseable. I will not work for this agency any longer than necessary.

  29 Days til liberation Posted August 18, 2007 3:44 PM
• 31197
  

  I thank god that my facility is open 24 hours, or we would be in the same boat as many out there working forced 6 day work weeks, and or, 10 hour shifts. It takes me one day off to recover from work, so I have one day for myself and my family. This administration says they are for "family values", I guess they are unless you happen to be an air traffic controller.

  We are heading for a train wreck if the American public doesn't wake up, and demand this administration fix this problem!

  Dale Posted August 18, 2007 10:25 AM
• 31195
  

  Controllers at my facility ( a top level approach control ) are retiring often as soon as they become eligable. They might have planned to stay longer in the past but are now fed up with the treatment they are getting in the workplace. It is ashame to see this as the new "B" payscale controllers are years away from being able to take their places. The chaos this is generating will be more costly in many ways than the savings generated in the imposed new contract.

  PHILIP Posted August 18, 2007 9:33 AM
• 31182
  

  Bill, you got it right. It's all about awarding ludicrous contracts to their cronies. Bush, Blakey and company want to force the veteran controllers out and make it so new hires don't want the job. They want to crash the system so they can privatize it out to give a big contract to one of their cronies. Why don't you ask them how the privatized Flight Service Stations are going? They have already killed 49 people in Lexington. How many more before people wake up! Like Kevin said,"good luck to those who stay". I recommend taking the bus!

  Tony Posted August 17, 2007 11:20 PM
• 31161
  

  I'm currently scheduled to take the FAA AT-SAT test to see if I actually have what it takes to be an ATC but all of this news about the profession is truly disheartening. I was looking forward to working an exciting job but now...now I just hope that this all works out for current and future ATCs. Additionally, I would like a way to contact and corrispond with someone within the profession to prepare myself.

  Greg Blackford Posted August 17, 2007 6:23 PM
• 31152
  

  Referring to retiring, when Blakey says, "It's not related to the contract; it's not related to anything." this just illustrates how far Marion has her head in the sand. Either she's being lied to, or she refuses to admit failure. Public relations types can spin anything, but numbers don't lie.

  John Smith Posted August 17, 2007 2:57 PM
• 31126
  

  I think I speak for many controllers when I say this. I love by job as a Controller. I had planned on working another ten years or so til I was 53-54. Since Ms. Blakely has destroyed the FAA and controller morale, I count the days til I'm eligible to retire, which is now a matter of months. Seeing whats coming through the door to replace me at 30k per year, I no longer fly. Good luck to everyone that has to stay.

  Kevin Posted August 17, 2007 10:16 AM
• 31100
  

  "The imposed work rules had nothing to do with the increase in retirements", Are you kiddin me? Since Sept. 3rd, 2006, we have had 13 controllers retire and I know for a fact that 9 of them were a direct result of the way that these work rules were implemented and interpeted at the Kansas City International Tower.

  Paul Hansen Posted August 16, 2007 11:24 PM
• 31071
  

  It's sad to see the BEST ATC system in the WORLD crumble before my eyes. That's what happens when individuals that were never air traffic controllers, or forgot what it is to be one, get placed in top management positions. I would retire if I could. You'll never understand unless you GET A HEADSET!!!

  Jose Posted August 16, 2007 1:27 PM
• 31053
  

  Ms. Blakey has manipulated the Congress and the Senate into seeing only her side of the equation. She has destroyed morale and decimated a once proud workforce.

  After the Lexington accident the FAA was quick to place blame and cover their tracks by mandating that all combined Tower/TRACON facilities ensure a two person mid shift.

  While that sounds proactive, in reality what she has done, at least at Charleston (CRW,)is order one person to work the Tower, still only one set of eyes for a controller working four seperate positions at the same time, and one person to work the RADAR Room where that controller works five sepearte positions alone.

  Aviation safety was built on backup systems, having two of everthing in case one breaks down. What that means in the case of an Air Traffic Controller is one of us happens to have a Heart Attack on position there is somebody to step up and work the traffic ensuring the flying public's safety. On my midshifts, the only other person qualified is three floors away and cannot see if I'm alive or dead. So much for the idea of a second set of eyes in the Control Tower.

  Jeff Douglass Posted August 16, 2007 11:26 AM
• 31050
  

  Having the majority of your workforce hired at the same time as a result of the 1981 PATCO strike, naturally the majority of your workforce will be at the top of the band structure. The previous staggered profile of hiring and banding spread was eliminated. Unfortunately, the majority of the workforce is also closing in on the mandatory retirement age of 56 years, and many are now choosing to retire when they reach the minimum eligibility rather than work under Ms Blakey's draconian rules. In an attempt to restore "management rights", Ms Blakey, and Russ Chew have thrown out the baby with the bath water.

  SkyTalker Posted August 16, 2007 11:13 AM
• 30744
  

  Blakey's statement that "she disagrees that the contract she imposed has had any impact on controller retirements" is nuts. I'm 48 years old and have 27 years as a controller at Fort Worth Center, and now I'm eligible to retire. I'm at the top of the pay scale and my wife who is a controller at DFW Tower has 4 1/2 more years to work before she is eligible to retire. I planned to work until she could retire and we'd both retire at the same time. Now, I plan to retire in Feb. 2008 if I can stand to wait that long. What a sorry way to end what until the last year or so had been the best career in the world. The majority of the controllers I work with feel exactly the same way.

  Andy McGowan Posted August 13, 2007 7:04 PM
• 30610
  

  Ms. Blakey knew EXACTLY what she was doing when the IWR's were imposed. Either that or she's really, really stupid. Per the desires of her bosses she has forced experienced controllers to either work under draconian rules or retire. Most are choosing retirement. Replacements are getting 1/3rd the pay, forcing a few to turn to second jobs to survive financially. Don't believe me. Ask around.

  John Posted August 12, 2007 8:02 PM
• 30152
  

  Well said Izzy. I was "ONE in 81" and am amazed how they just can't seem to learn from their previous mistakes. Be careful out there brother and I hope your countdown is a short one.

  RS Posted August 6, 2007 9:01 PM
• 29897
  

  I don't believe that any reasonable person with any inkling of the stress our ATCs work under would object to awarding a premium to these people for the job they do (let alone compensation commensurate with the rest of the federal work force). I am sick and tired of the administration nickle and diming the people who get the work done but awarding ludicrous compensation to their cronies.

  bill Posted August 2, 2007 10:59 AM
• 29842
  

  Another point I think readers should know regarding FAA Management activities. In the 1998 Contract, then Administrator, Jane Garvey included air traffic managers and supervisors onto the new ATC pay compensation plan. However, while this Administration crys "foul" and weeps to Congress how they cannot afford the Controller's pay plan, Marion Blakey has left managers and supervisors pay "status quo ante" for months; without the so-called needed drastic cuts she placed on the workforce. Supervisory bids advertise salaries far higher than even senior controllers make annually. Additionally, management reinstituted a requirement in their "taking back the FAA" plan, to increase the supervisory ratio for air traffic controllers. Thus resulting in even higher costs to the Agency.

  Izzy Counting Down Posted August 1, 2007 4:27 PM
• 29833
  

  An appropriate article for the 26th anniversary of the PATCO Strike which led to this situation the FAA has placed itself. I would like to correct a few items. The Agency has not offered a 9.4% pay raise over 5 years. They have reverted pay scales back to pre-1998 General Schedule (GS) Salary levels, even though inflation has risen over the past 8 years, new employees will have to climb back up a pay scale that is less than their current GS counterparts. The FAA is quick to retort that Controllers have received an increase in their salary of over 75% since 1998; yet fails to address that in comparison of the 1998 GS Salary tables and the 2006 GS Salary tables the ENTIRE federal Sector has had the same pay increases through Presidential pay raises. So ATC's would have received these increases regardless of contract, had they still been under the GS Salary tables. Under the FAA's Imposed Work Rules, current FAA Controllers are excluded from ALL Congressional ordered pay raises for the next 5 years, with the excrption of Locality increases. Locality adjustments have, in certain locations, been reduced, as cost of labor changes in certain geographic areas, that is a pay freeze and cut, as controller's retirement benefits will be affected, meanwhile the rest of the federal sector receives all applicable ordered raises and benefits. The FAA has known about staffing issues through NATCA and the FAA's Inspector General's comments, yet has failed to address staffing and failed to meed negotiated staffing levels from the 1998 Contract and the 2003 extension of the 1998 Contract. In my opinion the FAA fails on all accounts of responsible management of the busiest ATC system in the World.

  Izzy Counting Down Posted August 1, 2007 2:10 PM