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June 11, 2009,
WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration last Sunday moved
forward with a rushed plan to split the tower and radar control
functions at Memphis International Airport, advancing a controversial
management agenda and rejecting a torrent of concern from Congress and
air traffic controllers who continue to urge the agency to delay this
and future facility realignments until a process is put in place that is
fact-based, transparent and includes all stakeholders.
The move was the second such split of a major U.S. airport control
facility this year in which the FAA completely disregarded the concerns
of a bipartisan coalition of Congressional members and air traffic
controllers who see the split as driven by power-hungry FAA management
looking to put a band-aid on a gaping wound of staffing shortages,
training problems and the pursuit of cost savings yet to be identified
or proven. |
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In January, the FAA
split Orlando’s tower and radar functions -- citing understaffing as the
primary reason -- thus reducing the margin of safety, degrading the
efficiency of the operation and depriving new trainees of having the
critical experience of knowing how the entire operation at a major
airport works.
NATCA President Patrick Forrey said the FAA’s decision to ignore
Congress and NATCA’s pleas for a moratorium on realigning facilities
until a common sense approach to the issue can be developed only
increases the urgency with which Congress must act to pass a final FAA
bill to hold the FAA accountable on this important safety and
operational issue. Last month, the House passed its version of the FAA
reauthorization bill that does just that.
“The FAA is moving forward on ad hoc air traffic control facility and
service realignment efforts without a comprehensive review procedure to
determine whether the realignment provides an operational benefit to
users, increases safety and efficiency, and/or saves the taxpayer
money,” Forrey said. “FAA Reauthorization is needed to provide that
review procedure and compel the agency to subject all current
realignment efforts to this needed layer of oversight, accountability
and transparency. Just as with technological development, realignment
efforts completed in a collaborative environment will ensure benefits
are realized rather than squandered.”
Added Victor Santore, who represents controllers in both Memphis and
Orlando in his role as NATCA’s Southern Regional Vice President: “The
FAA defied the wishes of over 150 members of Congress and severed
operations at the Memphis air traffic control facility. FAA management
officials consider themselves accountable to no one. Administrator
(Randy) Babbitt should be able to bring accountability back to the FAA
and we hope to meet with him soon on this issue."
The FAA is plowing ahead with more facility realignment plans, including
those in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio,
unless the FAA listens to Congress’ overwhelming opposition to this
plan. |
