Listen, guys, I know this fellow and he did have a bad day, but that is all. Because of the "buzz" generated on Youtube about this, the FAA really did a number on him. The removed him from JFK, cut his pay in half,
Welcome to the site, we certainly appreciate your insight. I think your second post hit the nail on the head, the FAA is on a power-trip. That said, I don't really understand how such hype (even in the form of YouTube videos) gives the FAA complete and unlimited ammunition to fire an employee for doing his job. Without the link, would they have done anything? Would they terminate or threaten other employees doing their job differently if each had his/her own youtube video or other media? He may have had a great sense of humor about it and things got hectic at times because of the nature that JFK brings to the profession, but I hardly see that as cause to terminate an employee or effectively force him to transfer and reduce compensation.
It's upsetting to think the consequences the FAA subjected this controller to was a result of a few silly videos random people around the world put on YouTube (completely out of our control might I add), but it seems thats what the agency has come to under the current administration. Any attention setting behavior, even that above and beyond expectations results in a negative outcome in today's government agencies. It's aggravating that a professional controller with decades of knowledge and experience was used as a sacrificial lamb to demonstrate this power trip, but it seems that's what corrupt management is after in more recent years.
As political as it is, I think this all strikes us on a more personal level knowing where our future is going today (or not going rather), socially and economically. We're all human and try our best to succeed in our various careers each and every day. Unfortunately the FAA doesn't respect their non-executive employees the way most other corporations do in the private sector. Sooner or later this controller's story is going to be the norm, common of other senior controllers. Despite what may be interpreted as a pessimistic perspective, it may take a more serious turn of events in the public eye to promote real change, but that's what it comes down to. Public hysteria seems to act quicker and more effectively than our small professional networks and occupational unions. The Lexington CRJ crash in 2005 briefly reflects this notion, but sadly it didn't have to happen for a problem to be noticed. But it did.
Happy holidays and be safe.
Best,
Jason