Air Controllers Clash With White House

[wndycty]

Air Controllers Clash With White House

By Don Phillips
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 15, 2003; Page E02

After years of labor peace under a friendly Democratic administration, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has chosen to take on the Bush administration over whether the Federal Aviation Administration can continue to contract out control towers at some smaller airports.
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At first glance the boisterous duel seems to be over whether to continue unchanged a program that the union once tolerated. But beneath the surface, it represents a decision by the union and Senate Democrats to use the issue as a battleground for the Republican philosophy of privatizing functions now handled by government employees.

Union President John Carr said bluntly that he aims to head off any future plan to privatize other air traffic control functions.

"I'm not really comfortable leaving it up to ideologues when it's a matter of safety," Carr said.
-snip-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60867-2003Aug14.html

[LifeDuringWartime]

1. eek

i definitely wouldn't want a private company directing air traffic

[GainesT1958]

2. Well, after Dub fires all of THESE folks...

I suppose the Repubs in Congress will try and name a Federally-owned airport somewhere after him, too! :eyes:

I remember Ronnie Reagan. I chafed under the presidency of Ronnie Reagan. And Dub's no Ronnie Reagan. He's TEN TIMES WORSE! :grr:

B-)

[ScotTissue]

3. It's like the good old days!

First thing Ronald Reagan did in office was fire striking air traffic controllers. And for this we name an airport after him.

[fortyfeetunder]

4. I will never ever use Reagan and airport in the same breath

I remember that effer dismantling PATCO. They think any old schmuck off the street can be an air traffic controller. That is a high risk high stress job that keeps airplanes and people safely departing and arriving at airports. Privatizing them will be the first stage to jeopardizing the safety of our skies.

Remember when NASA privatized its space shuttle maintenance program, look what happened....

[ScotTissue]

5. Not even at Reagan Airport?

Huh...I wonder if there are still Repugs flying into Idylwild?