NATCA: Why Air Travel Is Safer
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If you’re getting ready to board a plane home after Thanksgiving or still fretting about safety in the crowded holiday skies for the upcoming holidays, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)—the people who guide you home—offer five reasons to feel better about air travel.
Here they are in a nutshell, and click here for more details.
- There are more controllers on the job, nearly a 4 percent increase of fully certified controllers.
- Runways are safer than ever, with the number of serious runway incursions having dropped by 50 percent between 2009 and 2010 after falling by 52 percent the year before.
- Major steps have been taken to reduce controller fatigue this year, including staffing that ensures at least two controllers are on duty at all times.
- The aviation community is collaborating to mitigate delays with pilots, aircraft dispatchers, airport operators and other members of the aviation community and the system wide delays are decreasing, especially around the holidays.
- The aviation safety culture is at its strongest with NATCA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) committed to improving the safety of the air traffic control system, including a voluntary safety reporting program, the Air Traffic Safety Action Program.
Report: U.S. Aviation System Safest in the World
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Paul Rinaldi says “the most important piece” of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on aviation safety is this: “The [Federal Aviation Administration] FAA has taken several steps to further improve safety at and around airports.”
The GAO study found an increase in the rate of reported runway incursions and other reported incidents of aircraft coming too close to each other. The FAA says a new system of more accurate incident reporting accounts for some of the increase.
As a result of this culture change, the FAA expected to see an increase in reported operational errors. More information will help us find problems and take action before an accident happens, which will help us build an even safer aviation system.
Republicans Use ‘Extortion Tactics’ to Shut Down FAA
The Republican shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has thrown 4,000 FAA employees out of work, and some 70,000 construction workers employed on airport improvement projects can’t go to work because Republicans have blocked funding for the agency and the projects.
In a letter to House and Senate Republican leaders, Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), says he is outraged by the “extortion tactics” and “political brinkmanship” that are creating even more “hardship for building and construction trades families” in an industry already suffering high unemployment.
Our members expect their elected leaders to resolve their differences without resorting to ultimatums. Once again, our members are frustrated that an extreme minority has succeeded temporarily by using extortion tactics to undermine the jobs of my members.
Republican Attack on Workers’ Rights Puts Aviation Safety at Risk
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UPDATE: Both the House and Senate adjourned this afternoon without taking action on the FAA bill, ensuring a midnight shutdown. Senate Republicans blocked a move for a temporary extension of the agency’s funding.
At midnight tonight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is slated to run out of money and be forced to suspend vital operations because House Republicans want to deny aviation and rail workers a simple majority vote—the same process that applies to electing lawmakers—on whether to join a union.
Republicans are holding a temporary funding bill hostage because they want to overturn a new rule adopted last year by the National Mediation Board (NMB) that says air and rail elections should be decided by a majority of votes cast. Previously under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which covers rail and airline workers, each worker who did not cast a vote in a representation election was automatically counted as a “No” vote.
Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), says:
Republican leaders are doing the bidding of a few airline CEOs who refuse to allow this bill to move forward unless it eviscerates fair union election rules. No wonder the public is growing weary of the majority leaders in the House and their tactics.
Here Are the Faces of the Voices that Guide You Home
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Steve Wallace is an air traffic controller in Miami with 20 years on the job and as he says in this new video from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA):
I have to be 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.
The video notes that 750 million people fly through U.S. air space every year and that controllers handle more than 134 million take offs, landings and other operations each year. Each day, more than 70,000 flights take off and land safely. Says Denise Spencer, a 17-year controller in Seattle:
My voice is the voice that guides you home each and every day.
The video features several other controllers who speak about their dedication to safety and pride in their profession. NATCA spokesman Doug Church says the video is a response to the negative publicity following the recent incidents with controllers—mostly on overnight, one-person-staffed facilities—falling asleep. He says NATCA’s 20,000 controllers were upset with those who had performed unprofessionally.
Memphis Air Traffic Controllers Honored
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The 71 National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) members who staff Memphis International Airport’s tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) have been honored for their outstanding work at the uniquely busy, 24/7 facility that along with normal commercial traffic, serves as the hub for the worldwide cargo operation of FedEx.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Randy Babbitt recently presented the NATCA members with the Dorothy Tharnish Customer Service Award for their outstanding commitment, innovation and excellent work.
Last year, a seven-month runway rebuilding project reduced the airport’s capacity by 30 percent and forced controllers to work up alternative routings and utilize ingenuity and creativity in keeping up a high level of efficiency.
100 Systems Specialists Join NATCA
Some 100 aviation technical systems specialists employed at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) three largest regional offices voted yesterday to join the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
The employees work at the FAA air traffic organization’s service centers in Atlanta; Fort Worth, Texas; and Seattle. They are mainly responsible for planning and budgeting. They are performing work that was previously done by other NATCA bargaining units, including staff specialists and engineers and architects.
The election marks the latest effort by NATCA to organize non-air traffic controller FAA aviation safety professionals who currently do not have representation or a collective voice in their workplace.
Door to Door in Denver to Get Out the Vote
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Kate Rosenbarger, communications field coordinator for Colorado, sent us this report.
There are many doors to knock on and many union members to talk with—and Colorado workers know there is no time to waste to get out the vote for the November elections.
Many people see Sundays as the time to relax—but not the more than 75 Labor 2010 volunteers who turned out in Denver this past Sunday. They were joined by several national union leaders who traveled to Denver to take part: AFGE National Vice President Gerry Swanke, NALC Vice President-elect Tim O’Malley and NALC National Executive Board Member Roger Bledsoe.
In an election where every vote matters, every day gives members a chance to talk with other members about issues important to working families. With fewer than six weeks until Election Day and ballots dropping in Colorado on Oct. 12, union members took time on a beautiful Colorado day to deliver a crucial message to their fellow union members.
Dena McClung, a NATCA member, was among them.
Seeing so many union members out walking—especially on a Sunday—really proves a point. Working families are ready to move forward. And we’re not going to sit around and wait for it to happen. We are going to make it happen, one day at a time, one door at a time, and one conversation at a time.
Time to Clear Aviation Bill for Take Off
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Congress returns to work this week and one of its top priorities, say the nation’s aviation unions, is to break the gridlock that has held the vital aviation safety and investment bill hostage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization is now on its 15th temporary extension since 2007 and that expires Sept. 30. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the aviation bill. But with so little time until Congress adjourns for the fall elections, it’s time to tell your lawmakers, “Pass the FAA Bill Now!”
The bill funds air traffic control modernization, airport expansion and makes air travel safer for the flying public and for workers. The legislation would create an estimated 300,000 jobs because of the investments in air traffic control modernization and airport improvements. It also addresses important labor-management and workers’ rights issues.
Air Traffic Controllers Help You Avoid Airline Delays
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Here’s a way to avoid delays at the airport when you head off for vacation this summer. The Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) reminds travelers about the union’s great site: http://AvoidDelays.com.
Launched in 2006, AvoidDelays.com is the first tool of its kind to help the flying public. Using a mix of historical and live flight data directly from the Department of Transportation, the website provides information on which airports have a history of delays and how to get avoid getting stuck in an airport when you really would rather be on the beach or touring a European capital.
The site has continued to be a great resource, whether you have already purchased your ticket or are waiting to find the best deal. It’s user-friendly and provides an interactive function that allows travelers to check rankings before they book a flight and check flight status on the day they fly.
