More links:
ATCA Website: http://www.atca.org/PressDetails.aspx?PressId=1026&id=Press
Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/AirTrafficControlAssociation/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ATCA_now/status/733326222265094146
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1823489/1823489 - 6139090468153094149
RINALDI SPEAKS ON MODERNIZATION OF THE ATC SYSTEM :
From last week's NATCA Insider:
On May 13, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi took part in a Bipartisan Policy Center
pa nel, entitled "Modernizing Our Air Traffic Control System: What's the Holdup?" As
Congress debates reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the
issue of whether and how to reform our air traffic control system is at an impasse. The
U.S . air traffic control system still runs on decades - old technology, yet efforts to update it
have limped forward. While travel delays and safety concerns are mounting, structural
and funding issues, as well as varied stakeholder interests are all impacting steps
toward modernization.
One of the challenge s facing modernization is the inability to properly staff the
NAS, beyond modernization projects.
"We're at a 27 - year low of Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs)," Rinaldi said.
"To give you perspective, President Reagan fired about 11,500 CPCs in 1981. Currently,
I have 10,500 controllers certified to work the system. "
Current air traffic control reform legislation has faced a lot of criticism, with
opponents saying that it is a union giveaway, allowing members to strike at will. Rinaldi
said that this is simply not true. The bill merely protects the current rights of air traffic
controllers, giving them the mediation and binding arbitration to finality they have today.
This bill, Rinaldi said, is "exactl y what we have today. We don't have the ability to
strike, nor will we — should this legislation pass — have the ability to strike, nor do we
want to strike."
Rinaldi closed by emphasizing NATCA's mission, to seek a fair and equal shot at
the table to do f air, binding arbitration negotiations.
"Other people may not like it, I get that, but that's what we have today," he said.
"That's why we supported the bill. I believe if you protect our workforce, you protect the
system. And if you protect the system, you protect our workforce. They go hand in hand."
To read the full story, please click here .
To view the video of t he full panel discussion, please click here .
For more on FAA reauthorization, please click here .
NOTABL E PRESS CLIPS IN THE LAST WEEK:
WFAA - TV DALLAS: 24 Hours At Love Field; A Special Look Behind The
Scenes At The Airport Includes ATC
Here ' s the link to view the story WFAA aired late Sunday evening to kick off its
24 hours at Dallas - Love Field (DAL) specia l – please click here .
The report starts in the DAL tower cab for a brief few moments and then the
reporter walks out onto the catwalk before starting a taped piece introducing the special.
Online coverage can be found here:
ht tp://www.wfaa.com/news/local/24 - hours - at - love - field - 24love/187411357
SWEEPS MONTH IS HERE – Sensationalized Media Stories about ATC and
Aviation Are Possible in Your Local Area : The Communications Department reminds
all reps that May is one of four month s throughout the year called " sweeps " in the
