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Talks on Private Air-Traffic Control Turn Serious in U.S.
Discussions about removing government management of the U.S. air-traffic control system are the most serious in two decades, prompted by budget cuts and uncertain funding for converting to satellite navigation. Insulating air-traffic management from politics would speed technology development while also providing steadier funding for it, said George Donohue, a former FAA associate administrator. (www.bloomberg.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Whether it goes anywhere or not and whether you are for it or against it, it is refreshing that there is even talk about it, especially as a way to do some realistic cost cutting rather than "protect my budget". It will be interesting
Agreed. From the time you and I reached adulthood until now the many facets of government service have dramatically changed. The service part has gone away and been replaced with dictate and line your pockets. These different agencies have taken their leadership and management styles directly from the big hogs. Just like every company or corporation has a culture set by the top management, so goes the government and it's employees. When you work for people who are terrible stewards of taxpayer $ (they consider it their $) you soon drink the cool aid. IMHO
So would it be like the airlines where certification, responsibilities and penalties are handled by the government, but the pay scales shift to the private sector? I feel bad for those 'regional' controllers who will be working just as hard for a tenth of the pay. All of that bitching out of the way, I do have to say that in my opinion not one single thing should be handled by the federal government unless absolutely necessary.
just a quick question. Do any of you use Flight Service, and if so, do you feel the delivered product has improved since Lockheed took over almost 8 years ago?
I was not flying before Lockheed Martin took over FSS, but I think they're doing a fine job. I've never had to wait on the phone for more than 30 seconds for a briefer, and their newly available web-based briefing is quite nice too. I highly doubt the FAA could have created their own equivalent web interface that was as modern and responsive by themselves.
I use FSS. The briefing product was very good when the FAA ran it, but some briefers were downright miserable. It was kinda like going to the post office; you always got what you needed, but the experience depended on who you saw and their relationship with you.
Lockheed was awful when they first started; reaching a briefer was a bear, and the briefing product was marginal at times. They turned the ship around after a few years. The product is now as good as the FAA product was, and the briefers always exhibit professionalism.
Lockheed was awful when they first started; reaching a briefer was a bear, and the briefing product was marginal at times. They turned the ship around after a few years. The product is now as good as the FAA product was, and the briefers always exhibit professionalism.
Interesting - things are going full circle. ATC was started by the airlines and was later taken over by the government.