A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/690675
about the current state of the NAS. The full ar ticle can be viewed here but only with a subscripti on to the Wall Street Journal. However, h ere's an excerpt: Extended working hours, chronic employee fatigue and escalating staff shortages plague numerous air - traffic control centers nationwide, according to the head of the U.S. controllers union. Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said such nagging workforce problems — combined with often - substandard facilities — are eroding morale and threaten to undermine vital mode rnization efforts. In remarks to an industry conference here Thursday and during a follow - up interview, Mr. Rinaldi presented one of his most scathing public descriptions yet of shortcomings he contends continue to afflict the U.S. air traffic control netw ork. The union chief and industry officials familiar with the specifics agree that safety margins haven't been hurt. But they also maintain that the status quo could lead to flight delays as traffic grows, reduce operating efficiencies and slow down implem entation of long - awaited modernization projects. … With a total of 10,600 controllers — the lowest level since the end of the 1980s — the FAA also is struggling to put in place complex modernization projects, such as using data communications to replace many v oice transmissions between pilots and controllers. Ten - hour workdays and shortages of fully qualified workers to man radar scopes, Mr. Rinaldi said, in some instances mean there aren't enough controllers available to train co - workers so facilities can star t using that new technology. Some 3,000 controllers are currently eligible for retirement, further ratcheting up pressure on the FAA to boost staffing. And even after initial training, controllers still need years of seasoning before they are ready to tack le the stress - filled job of guiding planes in and out of the busiest hub airports. Mr. Rinaldi's litany of complaints, however, went beyond head counts and a slowdown in hiring. He criticized the FAA for what he alleged is a slow, overly bureaucratic appro ach to modernizing equipment. After detailing lengthy delays that have beset the rollout of the most important FAA equipment updates — including phasing out the use of paper strips in airport towers to keep track of planes — the union chief said, "We are falli ng further and further behind" installing next - generation technology. "It's a snail's pace." NATCA EVP TRISH GILBERT AT NEW CHARLOTTE TOWER GROUNDBREAKING : NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert at the June 2 press event to break ground on a new tow er at Charlotte (CLT): " NATCA and its members at Charlotte are already an integral part of the decision - making process that will make this an even better airport for pilots, passengers and the community as a whole. This new facility will provide controller s with updated equipment and technology, as well as an improved line of sight of all parts of the airport thanks to the tower height, seamless glass in the tower cab, and air traffic control equipment and monitors moved to a level which is easier for contr ollers to see. Controllers rely on radar and computers, but their eyes are important tools as well. The sweeping views of the airport, airfield and surrounding skies provided by this new tower will be invaluable. This will enhance safety and more efficient operations. The expanded line of sight is particularly important. " FAA press release: Please click here. Media coverage: Please click here to reach ou r weekly press clippings page. NATCA IN WASHINGTON: