Fear of flying vs. fear of firing
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Traffic Controllers are fighting again. This time the battle is over fear. The FAA wants to keep the flying public happy and confident in the air traffic system. The controllers want their fear of retribution limited when they report problems.
Naturally, reports about problems in the air traffic control system add to passenger angst. The FAA has tried to limit publication of “internal problems” in the past through aggressive management and a common goal at the FAA to keep the system as safe as possible.
However, in this new environment of infighting between the union and FAA executives, problems that once were discussed and solved internally have a habit of finding their way into the national press.
In an earlier agreement the FAA and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) forged a breakthrough system to protect controllers who sounded alarms at the agency. NATCA President Pat Forrey said he thought the protocol provided union members with that assurance.
“For the people NATCA represents, the benefits are clear: this provides us with protection from discipline when our members identify errors, and other performance-related issues affecting system safety,” Forrey said.
But it seems controllers can still be fired “for cause using negligent or careless performance or inattention to duty.” That is the kind of rule that has controllers crying foul. Even though they are not fired for pointing out problems, they can get the axe for another ginned up reason. And with distrust manifest between the FAA executives and the controllers it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
Added into the mix is an incomprehensible lack of concern about the ATC and the FAA on the part of our Senators and Congressmen. The FAA funding legislation has been stuck in committee for years with only a glimmer of hope of seeing it emerge prior to the next election.
I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts that the legislation will scream out of committee after the first major crash caused by the failure of the ATC system. Unfortunately, responding to crises seems to be the way things are done in Washington. Heaven forbid anyone in the Capitol plan ahead and have some foresight.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a report last year that talked about short staffing and fatigue.
The lack of funding and lack leadership — both the direct responsibility of Congress — are adding to a problem in the management and rank and file of our air traffic control system.
Leadership and management is a top-down proposition. When those setting the agenda and footing the bills are fighting, management and labor seem to disagree far more than when they are working together in a well-functioning organization.
At the FAA this bickering between the air traffic controllers and their bosses and the lack of direction and funding from Capitol Hill means the public will eventually pay the price.
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3 Responses to “Fear of flying vs. fear of firing”
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If the pilots and crew were getting behind the stick with only 2-4 hours of sleep between shifts no one would want to fly on that plane.
Seems to me it should be the same rules for the controllers.
I agree! The crash of Comair 191 in Kentucky where the regional jet took off from the wrong runway might have been avoided if there had been better air traffic control on duty at the time. I think there was a single controller on duty who had worked long hours.
The traveling public needs to understand that the FAA is primarily a political organization, and only secondarily (if that) a safety organization. We airline pilots are sometimes shocked when the FAA actually does something that enhances safety instead of simply enhancing its public relations.
Pilot fatigue is a serious problem and the NTSB has repeatedly asked the FAA to take action. The FAA has responded that it is not the FAA’s job. To respond to what Jack said, it is not unusual to have 2 to 4 hours sleep between flights. Most of us are good enough at what we do to be able to function safely on a routine flight even with little sleep, but when things get challenging, that lack of sleep gets in the way of effectively thinking through the situation; bad judgment can result.
Though there are real problems that the FAA is not taking action on, airline flying is still reasonably safe. Most of us can fly without anxiety knowing the chance of an accident one in three-million to five-million flights. But there are also a lot of people who have trouble with the idea of one accident in a hundred-million flights. I work with people who seem to find no way to deal with flying because it safety is not absolute. Yet, on the ground, where they have their hands on the wheel, they are OK. But when they are not in control, they can’t manage emotionally without absolute safety, which — of course — does not exist either place.
If you, or if you know someone who needs help dealing with flight anxiety, please let them know they can get a good understanding of the problem and how it can be complete cured (that wasn’t always possible, but now it is) by seeing the video at http://www.fearofflying.com/video_hs.shtml
Your truly,
Capt Tom Bunn LCSW
President, SOAR Inc.
email: tom@fearofflying.com