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Return to Article: Air traffic controllers say FAA is undermining safety agreement

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  Check the FAA website to see the educational requirements to apply college or some college is not a requirement. As to the tired line people's lives are in our hands, I guess the folks working for the gas and electric companies can make the same statement, how about the guys installing traffic signals, what about road barriers etc. It has just as much relevance as that tired song

  Dan ketter Posted June 23, 2008 7:12 PM
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  How much is an ATC worth? Well, how much is YOUR life worth this summer when you fly to another part of the US to visit family! Nobody wants a cheap doctor in the operating room, why shouldn't the ATC's get much needed new equipment, better training/salaries? How many surgeons have the lives of 100-300 people directly in their hands every day!

  ChristmasTree Posted June 19, 2008 9:17 AM
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  Willi and Dan,

  What we are talking about is this: I report under the program that sometimes my datablock on aircraft drops off the scope, and it did one time and the airplanes got too close together. It is processed under the reporting program, but HR is copied and removal proceedings are started NOT for reporting it, but because the aircraft got too close due to my neglect of duty. HR will offer the proof that I reported the problem under the ATSAP. "He knew there was a problem, here is the report, the only explanation for this happening is inattention to duty." And you're fired. Not for reporting it, but it used against you.

  Many of us are college graduates, too. We are the most highly educated group ever to hold our positions. Take the hate elsewhere, please, and stick to the issue.

  Robert L. Marks Posted June 18, 2008 2:27 AM
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  Never graduated high school? Come on! People, please do a little research before typing. Otherwise it looks like you're just out to get the border patrol agents, oh, I mean the air traffic controllers.

  In the thick of it Posted June 18, 2008 12:18 AM
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  When a employee in headquarters makes a mistake, they can correct it with a bottle of white out.

  When I make a mistake, they have to get out the body bags.

  If they keep the punitive actions in the reporting program, I would be a fool to turn in the safety violations I see everyday that could make me lose my job from the vengeful managers who work above me.

  Google what happened to the FAA inspector whistle blowers. They are STILL not back to work and their bosses never left.

  Jim Bond Posted June 17, 2008 5:00 PM
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  What nonsense! All through the federal government if your actions can cause the loss of life there is no question about disciplinary action. I certainly would not what to fly if these malcontents felt free to do whateer they wanted!

  Either way, did someone get authorization to release the names of the people disciplines/or fired for severe neglect of duties in the FAA memo linked to the article? Unless names were changed, I believe sensitive information has been released so, shame on you!

  Willi Posted June 17, 2008 2:06 PM
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  For the most part controllers are responsible individuals but by the same token they also have a core of malcontents that think the "union" is their employer. Its time for these guys to grow up McCain like Reagan won't put up with the ongoing nonsense and I'm sure he would relish a strike. So many controllers never finished high school and you would think that they would be model employees for being given the opportunity to make the money that they do

  Dan ketter Posted June 17, 2008 10:18 AM
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  Good article. Who is it that is more interested in and responsible for safety? Tell me again why this is inherently governmental work?

  DC FEd Posted June 17, 2008 8:00 AM
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  This cannot last much longer. 10 hour days, 6 days a week spells disaster. The FAA is about to collapse and everyone in congress is looking the other way.

  Working fatigued controller Posted June 16, 2008 6:23 PM
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  First, this agreement should have never been signed by NATCA until there was a actual CONTRACT. Second, this is just more proof that the FAA only cares about one thing and that is breaking the union over passenger safety . Last, until there is an aviation disaster NOTHING will be done. It is just the way Govt. works.

  Retired Air Traffic controller Posted June 16, 2008 6:20 PM