FAA tries to lure air traffic controllers to Alaska
Published Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!ANCHORAGE -- The Federal Aviation Administration is trying to fill badly understaffed air traffic control centers in Alaska by offering bonuses of tens of thousands of dollars to experienced workers willing to move to the 49th state.
"To some extent, the FAA must be agreeing with us that staffing is bad," Rick Thompson, vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in Alaska, said of the transfer offers. "For years, they put things off. And now I guess they're admitting they did."
The FAA is offering to pay relocation costs and says that those wanting to make the move should apply by Tuesday. Workers making the move north are in line for a bonus of $25,000 to $75,000 a year.
An FAA spokesman in Renton, Wash., said the agency would not comment in any detail on the bonuses, the air traffic controller shortages in Alaska or the transfer offers.
"However, generally speaking, the agency continues to use a variety of recruitment and retention flexibilities to attract and retain qualified air traffic controllers," spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in an e-mail.
In its posting announcing the openings in Anchorage and Fairbanks, the federal agency doesn't call for a specific number of volunteers, nor does it detail the staffing deficiencies in Alaska.
The shortages in Alaska, and other parts of the country, stem in large part from the upheaval in air traffic controlling of the early 1980s, when President Reagan fired more than 11,000 controllers. The large crop hired in the immediate aftermath of that are now reaching the age of retirement.
"People are leaving when they are eligible to," Thompson said. "They just don't want to work there anymore."
Thompson said he wouldn't say air travelers in Alaska are at risk with the shortage of air traffic controllers. He said the consequences have caused more spacing between planes and more flight delays.
The FAA and the union have been at a standoff in negotiating a new work contract since 2005, when the old contract expired. The union also has blamed work rules imposed by the FAA after the contract expired for contributing to low morale and the loss of experienced controllers.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Why aren't there training programs up here for this?
Rather than a huge bonus, offer free training for Alaskans willing to sign a 5 year contract to stay in Alaska.
I'd be game...
Sherry, UAA does offer an ATC program. It's a 2 year Associates degree. The FAA is looking for more EXPERIENCED controllers.
Phil
this is stupid. there are a number of qualified people in the aviation program in this area that Im sure would jump at this chance. DO locals get the bonus?
aframe read tundra_flier's comment. They are looking for EXPERIENCED controllers. There is not a shortage of inexperienced controllers but they arn't interested in filling the tower with rookies or even those with low hours. Just like the pilot world, the number of hours a person has actually piloted an aircraft mean a great deal to the employeers.
If they where treating the ones they have better, they wouldn't be leaving!
This brings up the question what would Ronnie do? The super hero of the republican party.--- The answer is FIRE THEM ALL.
right on mit!!!
also, you don't have to get a two year degree from UAA anymore. They are hiring people off the streets with zero aviation experience. The reason they are wanting people with experience is because they can get their certifications faster and have a better chance of certifying because they have done it before.
Well - not sure of the politics behind what is going on, but AK has got some unique challenges. The controllers that I work with DAILY are great, I have no problems with them at all. I've also had the opportunity to work with some extremely poor controllers (Phoenix, AZ and So-Cal Apch.) I'll take these guys anydays, and I'm all for doing whatever it takes to get more like them up here, or keeping the ones we've got.
It would be a VERY dangerous thing to hire a 0-time controller up here without some experienced supervision, so I am glad to see that they are looking for qualified, experienced controllers. For us pilots it means the difference between life and death on IFR days. And the rest of the time, having good controllers makes our jobs easier, safer and more efficient. Any idea how much it costs, or how many "carbon credits" (this is a joke by the way) we burn when we have to go around because of poor controlling?
So maybe hiring locals really won't work. I'd prefer to have experienced controllers from anywhere than newbies.
You have to choose!
Ive heard stories from the Anch tower of hours that are far too long, huge increases in the work load, loss of some benefits, and a game-playing management policy. Last I heard I think they were understaffed by 30...
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.