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FAA orders new procedures for controllers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration gave air traffic controllers new procedures Friday as officials try to contain the fallout from an incident earlier this week in which two airliner . . . (flightaware.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
When PATCO was created the "slowdowns" didn't stretch 3 mile separation to 30 miles, all they did was judiciously apply MINIMUM STANDARDS. ATC needs an FAA administrator to go before congress and say "WE NEED xxxx NUMBER OF CONTROLLERS TO DO THE JOB SAFELY AND ITS GONNA COST $$$$$". Of course being an appointed position it ain't never gonna happen cause 'that' Administrator would be replaced by a brown nose who would play the game. And yea, PATCO ultimately fragged themselves.
Carl Mc: True the FAA sees $$$, and in some years, the lack of them. It isn't a profit-making organization (like Sears or Walmart), as you imply. The agency depends entirely on congress for its $$$ and has to manage its resources (staffing, equipment, etc.) with what is doled out to it. And unions like Patco add to the problem with their "me, me, me" attitude.
This, along with being a cop, are two jobs that can be aided with computers and electronic wizardry, but the human will always be required to make the final decision. It was staffing shortages that invented PATCO back in the 60's. Almost 50 years later that problem has neither changed or been fixed. It will never be fixed. Statistically, the wrongful death lawsuit is cheaper than proper staffing. The FAA sees $$$, not lives. That's the reality of it, just get by and hope the roof caves in on someone elses watch.
Working graveyard shift is tough. It should be rotated. People have families and responsibilities to deal with during the day, and possibly another job. Not making excuses, but one person in the tower is also just plain nutty.
4 shifts in a row??? The investigation should be about allowing that many consecutive hours, and the guy should have called out for fatigue to be replaced. A sad system...
Wayne B: It's not the shift hours, it's the 2 swings, a dayshift then two mids. The short-turnarounds mean almost NO sleep before going back to work. Lets put it this way; FAA would NEVER allow that many consecutive duty hours flying, but it's OK for their own employees!? Before the '81 strike: 2 controllers on the mid. After the strike: 1 controller. One can handle it 99% of the time. The other 1% when things go down the toilet... It gets ugly, and smelly in a Big Hurry! 'Been There, Done that... No More!' MD, FAA ATCS '72-'86