fal ling or an accident is imminent. But fatigue is a real thing. We are tired, and we have
been grinding this out for years. It is in the best interest of everyone, especially the flying
public, that the staffing and overtime issues get resolved."
"People are generally retiring sooner rather than later and in higher numbers than
the FAA expected. They are saying they just can't work like this anymore," said Gilbert.
To read the full story, please click here .
To review our key national messages and documents:
NATCA's main call to action : We are calling for a Congressional hearing to
examine the chronic understaffing of the nation's air traffic control facilities.
What the FAA data shows : New data we obtained shows that national staffing
totals have fallen nearly 10 percent since 2011. In addition, FAA data shows the agency
will miss its controller hiring goal for fiscal year 2015. This will be the fifth consecutive
fiscal year in which the FAA has not hired enough air traffic controllers to keep up with
the pace of workforce attrition. As of Aug. 22, 2015, the FAA had only hired 1,178 of a
planned 1,772 controllers, putting the agency 34 percent behind its goal.
W hy it could get worse before it gets better : Of the 10,859 certified controllers,
30 percent are eligible to retire at any time.
NATCA's Oct. 13 Press Release : Please click h ere .
Fact Sheet : National controller staffing numbers .
Fact Sheet : Controller staffing crisis at major hubs .
NATCA's Oct. 13 Press Roundtable : On Oct. 13, we hosted a roundtable press
briefing for several D.C. - bas ed national aviation reporters. NATCA Executive Vice
President Trish Gilbert led the discussion and opened with rema rks that outlined the
issue, NATCA's concerns, and the most pertinent data. You can read a transcript of
Trish's opening statement here .
STAYIN G UP TO DATE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING AND FAA
REAUTHORIZATION ISSUES : The critically important issues of government funding
and Congressional actions and inactions , detailed above in the Government Affairs
update, remain at the forefront . While the FAA authorization extension runs through
March 2016, the CR funding the government will expire in early December. A shutdown
threat could return.
The Communications Department is continuing to engage in media activity where
appropriate on these t opics and inform our members of important news and up dates
through a variety of ways .
Here are ways you can keep up with news and information:
Emails from National Office : I mportant updates from the National Office will be
sent to each member via the ema il address we have on file for you in our membership
database. If you have not received recent updates and need to either add or change the
email address we have for you on filed, you can do so through the NATCA Po rtal here .
Daily Press Clippings : If you're not already receiving the daily clips via your
email in box and would like to be added to our distribution list, email
dchurch@natcadc.org . Archive of all press clips available here . We are including many
shutdown - related clips in our recent editions of the daily press clippings package.
Press list : We can add you to our press distr ibution list so you receive anything
sent out immediately upon release. Email smccann@natcadc.org .
Government Affairs Department Updates : In addition to the most recent
update above from Government Affairs, you can see past updates to get the full
background on all shutdown, sequestration, and FAA reauthorization - related news. Click
here .
