Return to Article: FAA, controllers union to test system for safety reporting

By Alyssa Rosenberg arosenberg@govexec.com April 2, 2008
  • 47996

    ATSAP is a step in the right direction for increasing the margin of safety in the National Airspace System. If the program is not politicized and abused by the union nor trivialized by the agency, the agency will have a mechanism that can be used to discover and analyze real trends and find real solutions to increase safety for the people we serve...the flying public. This is not about imposed contracts, it is not about ratting out controllers, it is not about seek and destroy tactics. It is about safely managing the skies. We have a bunch of very talented and genuine folks in the FAA that are trying to do the right thing for the right reason.

    Steve Posted April 6, 2008 8:56 AM
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    This article describes this program as voluntary. If this program is truly voluntary, it's doomed for failure from the start. NATCA's not going to encourage a controller to "rat" on him/herself or on other controllers. The only safety issues you'll see reported are issues where it won't point blame at a controller. In my opinion, when it comes to aviation safety, the union is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

    Retired Military Controller Posted April 3, 2008 10:49 AM
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    FAA's culture, especially for Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), is like the USPS. They are not treated with respect. I can understand why the average ATC is reluctant to report a problem! FAA's management puts a premium on appearances and has no patience for actual examinations to identify problems.

    Charleen Posted April 3, 2008 9:41 AM
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    I am confused ! First the FAA IMPOSES a contract on the controllers and now the controllers are cooperating with the FAA. Looks like NATCA just caved in to me. Shame on the union leadership for selling the memebership out.

    Retired Air Traffic Controller Posted April 2, 2008 5:57 PM

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FAA, controllers union to test system for safety reporting
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