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ATC Privatization - Get rich quick
Don't be fooled by the non-profit corporation part. The people who want to run the proposed takeover will give themselves ridiculously high salaries. (www.avweb.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
If the national airspace system is a vital cog in our national security, why give it away to a private not-for-profit controlled by the airlines, with little or even no government oversight? How might such a private system have reacted in the immediacy of 9-11? Call a ground stop on it own? Some serious issues here need to be considered.
GA is already hurting and this could kill it for good. Imagine getting a bill for filing a flight plan, ATC services, en route weather updates, etc., EVERY TIME YOU FLY, in addition to continue needing to pay the fuel tax (and others) for the physical airport infrastructure throughout the US (not ATC services). Bad idea. As much as I really hate "big government" solutions, the ATC system in this country works pretty darn well (as a pilot for over 34 years). Of course, like the rest of our government, FAA overall is bloated, overstaffed, with many overpaid positions that add nothing to safety or operational efficiency, and those should be addressed.
If the results of Automated Flight Service Station stewardship privatization provide any indication of how privatization of Air Traffic Control systems would benefit or harm individuals, then some GA pilots using a privatized ATC service would be in for some unpleasant hardships.Example: Using 1-888-766-8267 to get your clearance or close your flight plan. If you have problems, there are solutions, but most people can not get help by calling, writing, or emailing Lockheed Martin. When we contact our Congressmen on this issue, the letters they send back clearly indicate they either haven't tried to read or understand what we're talking about, or don't care (unless you have some other kind of major influence).
Then they can outsource the clearance number to a call center in India.
Thumbs up Matt!
Tax payers don't fund this system. ATC is funded by an aviation fuel tax which has served us well for many, many years. This is just another way for a few insiders to make a lot of money.