America's Air Traffic Controllers Need Your Help

[w0x0f]

It seems as though you folks enjoy ATC.  I used to enjoy working in this field very much until the FAA imposed illegal pay and work rules upon us.  Ironically this occurred on Labor Day 2006.  There is a bill before the US Senate which could return the FAA and NATCA to the bargaining table to reach a ratifiable contract.  All of the hard working controllers that you listen to on this site would be deeply appreciative if you would contact your Senator at this link http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/S1300

Thank you,

w0x0f

[RV1]

    Please understand, this isn't a 'UNION' thing. This is about a branch of the govt. that decided that it will do what it wants, where it wants, to whoever it wants. If you want examples, look at the latest in the news about the threats of firing inspectors who reported airlines not complying with FAA directives. There are others like consolidating facilities and not allowing any user input, firing a trainee because he went into the ditch on the way to work in a snowstorm. At the current rate, ATC is being set up to be contracted out. When this happens, all bets are off if the new company policy will allow transmissions to be 'broadcast' on sites like this one due to liability. For those of you who are pilots, this entire contract problem should be something that you are acutely aware of and involved in, because this will definitely affect you in the near future. Did Lockheed curtail any services when they took over FSS? Absolutely! What do you think will happen when they take over ATC.
    How does this play out? Well, the FAA imposes a contract with major pay cuts and kindergarten rules for controllers. People start retiring. The pay cuts are such that many new hires can't afford to 'work' for the FAA. Staffing at facilities goes down. Controllers are working more planes for longer hours. Not enough controllers to train the newbies. Newbies quit because no training means no pay raises. Controllers quit because can't get vacation time and working six days a week. Now the FAA is short staffed to the point where an accident occurs. They say the fix is to contract it out where a company will be able to fully staff it. Enter onto the scene, Lockheed Marten. Curtail services, reduce facility hours and presto! we've all been fixed! Literally.

[FlySafe]

I have e-mailed and faxed both my husbands' and my letters to my senators. 

Although it isn't a "union thing" it is the RIGHT thing.  Union  Voice is a web site that creates a method to communicate it has a pre-written letter, all you do is create an account and fill in the blanks.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/S1300

If you desire to become a controller, fly ANYTHING or believe wrongs can be corrected, PLEASE contact your Senators NOW!

[w0x0f]

Here are the retirement numbers since the imposed work rules (IWR) 

Retirements from IWR through March 31, 2008: 1,514

FAA projected retirements for this time period: 1,030

FAA REBASELINED projected retirements for this time period: 1,143

Retirements in current fiscal year (FY08), Oct. 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008: 506

FAA projected retirements ALL of FY08: 695

FAA REBASELINED projected retirements ALL of FY08: 809

Retirements per day average, FY08: 2.77

TOTAL ATTRITION THROUGH FIRST SIX MONTHS OF FY08: 960

FAA projected total attrition for ALL of FY08: 1,276

FAA REBASELINED total attrition for ALL of FY08: 1,621

The FAA has lost 1 ATCer every 9 hours since the imposition.

This doesn't include trainees who just quit because of working conditions.

This is the definition of severe brain drain.  20 something years of experience walking out the door each time a controller retires.  All because of the IWR.  The FAA bet "all in" that controllers would stay until they were forced to retire at age 56.  The FAA has made a very bad wager and controllers are protesting the IWR with their retirements as soon as they become eligible. 

This causes a Catch 22 because now there are less controllers to train the incoming developmentals.  Trainees are sitting around doing nothing because of a lack of staffing.  You will see part of the FAA solution in January when they begin to split facilities such as PHL, MIA, MEM, and MCO.   They have some of the new trainees checked out through the tower awaiting training in the TRACON.  By splitting facilities the least experienced controllers will work in the tower and bid to train in the TRACON whenever there is a slot available.  All of the experienced controllers will be in the TRACON. 

The problem with this is the experienced guys are leaving  too fast.  Something will have to give. 

w0x0f       

[w0x0f]

A timely Avweb interview

Is there a critical shortage of air traffic controllers? Well, it depends who you ask. We asked both the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to join IFR's Jeff Van West on a podcast, but only NATCA stepped up to have their side of the story get airtime.
Click here to listen. (14.1 MB, 15:27)

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/files/2008-04-23_IFRMag.mp3