Quote:
Originally Posted by jjone20
A visit to an ATC facility will quickly reveal that managers are almost irrelevant. They have little authority and little responsibility, and get no respect. The ‘work force,’ with the help of union leadership and their allies on the Hill, has the final say in virtually all operational decisions. They set their own schedules, in effect, so they can get the long weekends and vacation flexibility they covet. While the FAA is quick to tell pilots when they must rest, it is almost comical how derelict they’ve been about the problem of fatigue within their own ranks .
Once again, it seems, the unions are in control.
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I was told a few years ago FAA management was looking closely at the controller compressed 40 hour work schedule.
To improve it for better rest between shifts.
The recent sleeping controller issues seems to support that.
But it appears you are right FAA management is powerless and incompetent to address even that.
After 30 years as an ATC I can honestly say that FAA management is a joke.
Our facility managers preferred to tela commute, call in from home to check on staffing.
Weeks would go past between their rare visits to the control room.
Most controllers don't want the job so mostly controllers trying to get out of separating airplanes bid on staff and management jobs.
Our facility suffered through countless new first line supervisors.
Maybe a few of them could separate airplanes but they had NO management experiance or skills.
NATCA the controller union is strong, (
for a small Union of only 13,000 controllers.
I suggest that FAA management is mostly at fault for agreeing to any controversial Union demands.
We can bash the Union but can you really say you are inspired by FAA management.
