Members of the House and Senate in re - election fights are focusing on their home
districts and states during August recess in advance of the 2018 mid - term elections.
Both Republicans and Democrats rema in publicly optimistic about the political forecast
for their respective parties, especially when it comes to which party will resume control of
the House and Senate after the election. Come September, House and Senate
Republican leadership will work to he lp vulnerable Republicans by moving legislation
that helps them in their home districts and states. NATCA will continue to fight for a
"NATCA majority" – working with Members on both sides of the aisle to support and
implement priorities that fully represe nt the best interests of NATCA members.
PUBLIC AFFAIR S DEPARTMENT
THE STOLEN HORIZON AIR INCIDENT: CONTROLLERS PRAISED FOR STAYING
CALM
NATCA STATEMENT, PRESIDENT PAUL RINALDI: "NATCA recognizes the great work
of all of the air traffic controllers and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
employees at several Seattle - area FAA facilities that handled this incident. It was an
incredible team effort marked by a shared commitment to ensuring the safety of all other
aircraft in the vicinity. We also co mmend the military personnel and first responders
involved for their difficult and important work.
"We especially acknowledge the contributions of the controller who worked this aircraft
and communicated with the individual at the controls. This controlle r works at Seattle
Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), an FAA facility located in Burien, Wash.,
just west of Seattle - Tacoma International Airport. The recordings of the incident display
his exceptional professionalism and his calm and poised dedicat ion to the task at hand
that is a hallmark of our air traffic controller workforce nationwide." Read full statement .
KO MO - TV SEATTLE: " Performing under pressure is the name of the game for air traffic
controllers at Seattle – Tacoma International Airport. The controller who was behind the
radio on Friday during the incident is receiving praise for what is being called an,
' e xceptional display of professionalism. ' ' The controller did a really nice job of trying to
build a relationship, I think build a rapport and find out his intent, ' said NATCA Director of
Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann who was an air traffic controller in the Seattle area
for almost 27 years. ' I thought the entire air traffic controller workforce did an amazing
job. ' " Read and watch story .
KING - TV SEATTLE: " After listening to the air traffic control audio, Ullmann said this
controller used both his rigorous training and went ' against the book, ' talking to Russell
in what he called ' plain language. ' Ullmann said it 's that kind of thinking that makes for
exceptional controllers. ' It's these unusual events, these stressful events, the other, the
one - offs, that's when your training kicks in and that's when the good controllers rise to
the top, ' he said. " Read and watch story .
AUDIO - 10 - minute condensed version of the ATC recording between Seattle TRACON
and the man f lying the aircraft . Listen here
AUDIO - 25 - minute version of the recording that includes other traffic that controllers
were handling at the time . Listen here
