NATCA Bookshelf

NIW Today | 54 Q & A 7 What type of FAA reform model does NATCA support? NATCA does not support any one particular reform model, but has publicly stated that any FAA reform must meet NATCA's Four Core Principles for Reform: R » Ensure that the frontline workforce is fully protected; R » Ensure safety and efficiency remain top priorities; R » Provide for a stable, predictable funding stream that must adequately support air traffic control services, staffing, hiring and training, long-term modernization, preventative maintenance, and ongoing modernization to infrastructure; and R » Maintain a dynamic aviation system that continues to provide services to all segments of the aviation community, from commercial passenger carriers and cargo haulers to business jets and general aviation, at all major airports and small airports in rural areas. 9 SEQUESTRATION How does sequestration affect the FAA? R » When it went into effect in 2013, sequestration resulted in furloughs for the workforce and the potential for closures or reductions in service hours at many facilities. R » Sequestration forced the FAA to institute a hiring freeze and close the FAA Academy for most of 2013, meaning it was unable to hire new air traffic controller trainees. This hiring freeze worsened an already critical air traffic controller staffing situation, which is at a 30-year low for CPCs. R » Sequestration has also caused preventative maintenance delays, meaning that engineers and technicians must contend with a "fix-on-fail" policy that forces them to wait until equipment breaks before replacing it. This policy results in down time for systems and negatively affects the efficiency of the system. 10 11 How did furloughs resulting from sequestration affect the FAA? What is the status of sequestration? Is sequestration still a problem for NATCA? R » Sequestration forced the FAA to furlough employees (including air traffic controllers) for one week in April 2013. Congress quickly intervened by passing the NATCA-initiated bill, the Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013. R » Sequestration remains the "law of the land." However Congress has passed legislation that avoided sequestration in recent years. These across-the-board spending cuts are currently slated to return for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021 if Congress does not act. R » NATCA continues to remind members of Congress about the negative effects sequestration has on the FAA as Congress begins its work on a budget caps deal to avoid sequestration. R » Americans felt the effects of sequestration in April 2013, when the FAA was forced to furlough every employee, including air traffic controllers, and to consider closing towers to achieve the mandated spending cuts. In addition to crippling controller staffing, these sequestration-mandated furloughs caused significant delays. During the week of April 21-27, 2013, delays nearly tripled at U.S. airports. R » Sequestration is a major concern for NATCA. The effects of sequestration are still being felt, and we expect sequestration-related cuts to return in FY 2020 and 2021, unless Congress takes action. 8 OFFICIAL TIME Are you using duty or official time to be in D.C. today? R » No. NATCA members do not lobby on duty time or official time. We are on leave or on our regular days off.

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