If they fire these controllers they should go right out the door with them; How un-fair.

For heaven sakes let's not fire these guys because they fell asleep on the job at 3 o'clock in the morning. If we are going to fix the problem by putting two people in the tower then why fire these guys. If they have someone with them then maybe they wouldn't have taken a nap. I know first hand how hard it is to stay awake on the job at after mid-nite.

Also if Mr. Babbitt accept Mr. Krakowski's resignation then he should resign right along with him. It wasn't Mr. Krakowski's fault that these guys took a nap on the job just like it wasn't Mr. Babbitt's.

This has more than likely been going on for a long time and just not reported. I know these guys shouldn't have falling asleep, but these things happen and no one in this case was hurt. No firing these guys is not the way to handle this.

It may help the bosses save a little face, but only a little and besides that more than likely we will just lost good controllers, because of their bosses panic.

This behavior has been tolerated as long as I’ve been an Air Traffic Controller (over 30 years). I’ve worked at some of these facilities that the sleeping instances have taken place. The following personnel at these facilities have knowledge that this behavior goes on but does nothing to stop it; FAA Management at the following level National, HUB, and Regional (because most of them were air traffic controllers once and did it themselves), Air Traffic Managers, Operational Managers, Staff Managers, Front Line Managers (Supervisors), Staff Personnel, Secretaries, controllers, NATCA Representatives at the following levels- National Reps, Regional Reps and Local Reps…heck even their families know about. It’s their arrogances of entitlement.

They do absolutely nothing about it because with responsibilities comes accountability and no one is going to standup and say I knew about it and did nothing. They all like to hide behind the word “deniability.” It’s not until someone almost most dies or does die that then and only then do they react…look at what happened in Lexington Kentucky in August 2006. They, the FAA and NATCA, knew then that the schedules that controllers work is unhealthy but have done nothing to change it. This is nothing compared to what happens ever day that endangers the flying public.

There are Air Traffic Controller’s out there everyday working and talking to airplanes that are using their cell phones: texting, talking, on the internet, using laptop computers; accessing the internet, watching movies, making stock trades, falling asleep, feet up on the console laying back in their chairs with their eyes close. And it’s not only the controllers; it’s the Operation Managers and Front Line Managers (Supervisors-like the one last month at Reagan National Airport). How dangerous is this behavior? But everyone knows about it and does nothing…the real question is why. It’s not only the senior personnel doing it; it’s also the new generation of controllers. These are controllers that are newly certified that participating in this dangerous behavior. Newly certified controllers are like a 16 year old with their new drivers licenses. Would you allow them to do the above while the drive the car?

I know of an instance in New York Tracon, in the presence of an Operation Manager and Front Line Manager, of a controller that fell asleep while training someone during a busy arrival period. Things got so out of hand for the trainee to handle that the other controllers in the room were yelling at the sleeping controller to wake up and take charge. The Operation Manager and Front Line Manger stood there and said and/or did nothing and never said and/or did nothing afterwards. They did nothing because they are afraid of the workforce!

The Management Team (Tammy Easterday- Air Traffic Manager and Mark Mustard- Front Line manager) at Knoxville has always known that it was common practice for the controllers working the midnight shifts to sleep. The controllers use to take turns; one would sleep for 3 hours and then the other one would do the same and then they would both be up when the day shift crew came into work.

Are all of these practices acceptable? Of course not, but by the FAA having knowledge of it and unofficially approving it, by turning a blind eye, the controller workforce will push the limits of irresponsibility to the limits until people die. The FAA Management personnel are emotionally weak and don’t have the backbone to standup and what is right. The FAA and NATCA have a responsibility to do something. There’s a phrase from the Declaration of Independence that is applies to this situation: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Meaning: “those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.” Do the right thing for the flying public!

This behavior has been tolerated as long as I’ve been an Air Traffic Controller (over 30 years). I’ve worked at some of these facilities that the sleeping instances have taken place. The following personnel at these facilities have knowledge that this behavior goes on but does nothing to stop it; FAA Management at the following level National, HUB, and Regional (because most of them were air traffic controllers once and did it themselves), Air Traffic Managers, Operational Managers, Staff Managers, Front Line Managers (Supervisors), Staff Personnel, Secretaries, controllers, NATCA Representatives at the following levels- National Reps, Regional Reps and Local Reps…heck even their families know about. It’s their arrogances of entitlement.

They do absolutely nothing about it because with responsibilities comes accountability and no one is going to standup and say I knew about it and did nothing. They all like to hide behind the word “deniability.” It’s not until someone almost most dies or does die that then and only then do they react…look at what happened in Lexington Kentucky in August 2006. They, the FAA and NATCA, knew then that the schedules that controllers work is unhealthy but have done nothing to change it. This is nothing compared to what happens ever day that endangers the flying public.

There are Air Traffic Controller’s out there everyday working and talking to airplanes that are using their cell phones: texting, talking, on the internet, using laptop computers; accessing the internet, watching movies, making stock trades, falling asleep, feet up on the console laying back in their chairs with their eyes close. And it’s not only the controllers; it’s the Operation Managers and Front Line Managers (Supervisors-like the one last month at Reagan National Airport). How dangerous is this behavior? But everyone knows about it and does nothing…the real question is why. It’s not only the senior personnel doing it; it’s also the new generation of controllers. These are controllers that are newly certified that participating in this dangerous behavior. Newly certified controllers are like a 16 year old with their new drivers licenses. Would you allow them to do the above while the drive the car?

I know of an instance in New York Tracon, in the presence of an Operation Manager and Front Line Manager, of a controller that fell asleep while training someone during a busy arrival period. Things got so out of hand for the trainee to handle that the other controllers in the room were yelling at the sleeping controller to wake up and take charge. The Operation Manager and Front Line Manger stood there and said and/or did nothing and never said and/or did nothing afterwards. They did nothing because they are afraid of the workforce!

The Management Team (Tammy Easterday- Air Traffic Manager and Mark Mustard- Front Line manager) at Knoxville has always known that it was common practice for the controllers working the midnight shifts to sleep. The controllers use to take turns; one would sleep for 3 hours and then the other one would do the same and then they would both be up when the day shift crew came into work.

Are all of these practices acceptable? Of course not, but by the FAA having knowledge of it and unofficially approving it, by turning a blind eye, the controller workforce will push the limits of irresponsibility to the limits until people die. The FAA Management personnel are emotionally weak and don’t have the backbone to standup and what is right. The FAA and NATCA have a responsibility to do something. There’s a phrase from the Declaration of Independence that is applies to this situation: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Meaning: “those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.” Do the right thing for the flying public!

Putting two controllers on a midnight shift isn't even a Band-Aid to the problem. They are going to pay two controllers to sleep now. Yes this happens at facility currently staffed with two and even three controllers.

Is stress a factor...yes, the stress of the job does get to some controllers (given their personalities) even at the slowest facilities. Controller like to play the stress card all of the time when it doesn't affect the majority of everyone.

Controllers have to take responsibility for their own actions in this and every other issue I mentioned in an earlier message. That includes get the proper rest in between shifts. A controllers basic work week consist of 5 days of work and two days off for 40 hours. Controller get a paid ½ hour lunch that’s included in their 8 hour day. Controllers can work as much as 60 hours, 5- 10 hours shifts ( 2 hours of overtime per day) and 10 hours of overtime on their day off. Some facilities around the country have to work as much as 48-50 per week. Some times this overtime is forced on a controller and other times controllers volunteer for the over time. The way that most schedules’ run when there are midnight shift is what is referred to as a 2-2-1; two evening shifts, two day shifts and one midnight shift. Example: Day 1: 1500 to 2300, Day 2: 1400 to 2200, Day 3: 0700 to 1500, Day 4: 0600 to 1400, and Day 5: 2200 to 0600 then followed by two days off. As one can see getting off of work Day 4 at 1400 (2:00 PM) and returning the same day at 2200 (10:00 PM) only gives a controller 8 hours between the two shifts. This is the minimum time between shifts that the FAA has to give a controller. It sucks because; you get out of work, drive home, then jump into bed and fall immediately to sleep, get up shower, get dressed, and drive back to work. Sound pretty simple doesn’t it. But the controller didn’t have the opportunity to unwind from their day at work, eat, see their family or significant other (if they have one), and walk the dog if they live by their self all of this before going to sleep. So if a controller did nothing else but; drive home and back to work (average 35 minutes each way)- 1 hour 10 minutes, jump in bed and sleep 5 hours 30 minutes, shower- 20 minutes, dress- 15 minutes, prepare a meal and eat- 45 minutes comes to roughly 8 hours give or take a few minutes. All of this is predicated on the fact that you go right home and fall immediately asleep and who can do this.

Controllers like the 2-2-1 schedule because it allows the maximum time off of work leading into their days off and returning to work. After getting off of Day 5 they have eighteen hours off and then two days off and return to work on their first day giving them fifteen hours off before reporting to work giving them roughly 81 hours from their last day of work and first day back. This doesn’t take into account the drive to and from work which is probably on average 30-40 minutes. Where a controller chooses to live is their own choice too, some choose to live hundreds of miles away from their work. After the Lexington Kentucky COMAIR crashed, August 2006, the FAA was going to put in place a schedule that would reverse the way the schedule rotated; example- Day 1: 2200 to 0600, Day 2: 0600 to 1400, Day 3: 0700 to 1500, Day 4: 1500 to 2300, and Day 5: 1400 to 2200 Day 6: Day Off, and Day 7 Day Off. The problem with this schedule is; you would return to work on Day 1- Sunday night at 2200 (10:00 PM) and end on Day 5 Friday night at 2200 (10:00 PM). Giving controllers 48 hours off between you last day of work and your first day back, the argument is this the two days off that controllers are required to have. Well it is 48 hours but not 2 full days. Plus it’s only 48 hours off and not the 81 hours in the first example. So as controllers we like to complain about our schedules all of the time even though we like the amount of time it gives us off between our last day of work and our first day back.

Controllers don’t take responsibility for their actions of what they do before the midnight shift. Do we go back and try to relax and sleep before the midnight shift…NO. We have lives, families, and loved ones that need our attention and we have responsibilities to them too. This is a very unbalanced system with our schedule and private lives. But we get paid very, very well for what we do and to make sacrifices along the way. Starting in January 2012 a certified controller working at one of the slowest airports in the country will get paid (this salaries listed includes the generic Rest of US Locality Pay of 14.16%) a salary of roughly $55030.00 this is the lowest amount that a certified controller can get paid. Compared to a highest paid certified controller working at one of the busiest airports/radar facilities in the country will receive roughly $159970.00… cha-ching. Given the fact the variations of the cost of living all over the country some controllers receive more locality pay in excess of 28% compared to the Rest of US locality Pay of 14.16%. So the highest paid certified controller can receive approximately $179000.00. The maximum that any federal employee can make is $179900.00. This doesn’t take into account that controllers getting night differential pay (10% of their hourly pay), holiday pay (2 times their hourly salary), Sunday pay (1.25% of their hourly salary), training pay (10% of their hourly pay) for training the new controllers, and overtime pay (1.50 times their hourly pay). As you can see there’s a lot of money to be made as an air traffic controller. Some controllers are making well in excess of $210000.00 with the fore mention additional pay they can earn… it’s hard to feel sorry for us when some are making this much money. This isn’t including our additional benefits.

Putting two controllers on a midnight shift isn't even a Band-Aid to the problem. They are going to pay two controllers to sleep now. Yes this happens at facility currently staffed with two and even three controllers.

Is stress a factor...yes, the stress of the job does get to some controllers (given their personalities) even at the slowest facilities. Controller like to play the stress card all of the time when it doesn't affect the majority of everyone.

Controllers have to take responsibility for their own actions in this and every other issue I mentioned in an earlier message. That includes get the proper rest in between shifts. A controllers basic work week consist of 5 days of work and two days off for 40 hours. Controller get a paid ½ hour lunch that’s included in their 8 hour day. Controllers can work as much as 60 hours, 5- 10 hours shifts ( 2 hours of overtime per day) and 10 hours of overtime on their day off. Some facilities around the country have to work as much as 48-50 per week. Some times this overtime is forced on a controller and other times controllers volunteer for the over time. The way that most schedules’ run when there are midnight shift is what is referred to as a 2-2-1; two evening shifts, two day shifts and one midnight shift. Example: Day 1: 1500 to 2300, Day 2: 1400 to 2200, Day 3: 0700 to 1500, Day 4: 0600 to 1400, and Day 5: 2200 to 0600 then followed by two days off. As one can see getting off of work Day 4 at 1400 (2:00 PM) and returning the same day at 2200 (10:00 PM) only gives a controller 8 hours between the two shifts. This is the minimum time between shifts that the FAA has to give a controller. It sucks because; you get out of work, drive home, then jump into bed and fall immediately to sleep, get up shower, get dressed, and drive back to work. Sound pretty simple doesn’t it. But the controller didn’t have the opportunity to unwind from their day at work, eat, see their family or significant other (if they have one), and walk the dog if they live by their self all of this before going to sleep. So if a controller did nothing else but; drive home and back to work (average 35 minutes each way)- 1 hour 10 minutes, jump in bed and sleep 5 hours 30 minutes, shower- 20 minutes, dress- 15 minutes, prepare a meal and eat- 45 minutes comes to roughly 8 hours give or take a few minutes. All of this is predicated on the fact that you go right home and fall immediately asleep and who can do this.

Controllers like the 2-2-1 schedule because it allows the maximum time off of work leading into their days off and returning to work. After getting off of Day 5 they have eighteen hours off and then two days off and return to work on their first day giving them fifteen hours off before reporting to work giving them roughly 81 hours from their last day of work and first day back. This doesn’t take into account the drive to and from work which is probably on average 30-40 minutes. Where a controller chooses to live is their own choice too, some choose to live hundreds of miles away from their work. After the Lexington Kentucky COMAIR crashed, August 2006, the FAA was going to put in place a schedule that would reverse the way the schedule rotated; example- Day 1: 2200 to 0600, Day 2: 0600 to 1400, Day 3: 0700 to 1500, Day 4: 1500 to 2300, and Day 5: 1400 to 2200 Day 6: Day Off, and Day 7 Day Off. The problem with this schedule is; you would return to work on Day 1- Sunday night at 2200 (10:00 PM) and end on Day 5 Friday night at 2200 (10:00 PM). Giving controllers 48 hours off between you last day of work and your first day back, the argument is this the two days off that controllers are required to have. Well it is 48 hours but not 2 full days. Plus it’s only 48 hours off and not the 81 hours in the first example. So as controllers we like to complain about our schedules all of the time even though we like the amount of time it gives us off between our last day of work and our first day back.

Controllers don’t take responsibility for their actions of what they do before the midnight shift. Do we go back and try to relax and sleep before the midnight shift…NO. We have lives, families, and loved ones that need our attention and we have responsibilities to them too. This is a very unbalanced system with our schedule and private lives. But we get paid very, very well for what we do and to make sacrifices along the way. Starting in January 2012 a certified controller working at one of the slowest airports in the country will get paid (this salaries listed includes the generic Rest of US Locality Pay of 14.16%) a salary of roughly $55030.00 this is the lowest amount that a certified controller can get paid. Compared to a highest paid certified controller working at one of the busiest airports/radar facilities in the country will receive roughly $159970.00… cha-ching. Given the fact the variations of the cost of living all over the country some controllers receive more locality pay in excess of 28% compared to the Rest of US locality Pay of 14.16%. So the highest paid certified controller can receive approximately $179000.00. The maximum that any federal employee can make is $179900.00. This doesn’t take into account that controllers getting night differential pay (10% of their hourly pay), holiday pay (2 times their hourly salary), Sunday pay (1.25% of their hourly salary), training pay (10% of their hourly pay) for training the new controllers, and overtime pay (1.50 times their hourly pay). As you can see there’s a lot of money to be made as an air traffic controller. Some controllers are making well in excess of $210000.00 with the fore mention additional pay they can earn… it’s hard to feel sorry for us when some are making this much money. This isn’t including our additional benefits.

What's the answer to rotating shifts…this is a tough question and equally hard to find the answers. Everyone knows that a person get better sleep if they have consistent days of and shift assignments (all day, evening, and midnight shifts). But controllers can’t agree on this. Most of the senior controller would choose Friday and Saturdays off and probably all day shift and the junior controller would have Tuesday and Wednesdays of and all night/ midnight shifts. The junior controllers say this isn’t fair that they never get weekends off and don’t want to work all night/midnight shift because they never see their families. We have this 2-2-1 schedule because none of the controllers can agree at most facilities around the country on a reasonable schedule. The general idea is “if I can’t get weekends off then I vote we work rotating shifts/rotating schedule.” Some facilities at least have greed to have a permanent day off schedule that helps somewhat with a consistent sleeping pattern but, it’s the working the 2-2-1 schedule. We as controllers have to accept some of the responsibility on this schedule because we can’t agree to some thing better because in the end a junior controller feels that they are getting screwed over so the other 50-75 controllers must work this 2-2-1 schedule because of a few that have to work their way through the seniority system. Maybe the FAA should go to a hiring practice like Walmart…you are applying for a controller’s position at Nashville, TN and you will be working all evening shifts or all midnight shifts or all day shifts. That way you know exactly what you’re being hired for. Some controller’s whined and complain at their NEW facility that they have to work midnight shifts. They voluntarily transferred to this NEW facility and knew that they had to work midnight shift. If a controller doesn’t want to work these 2-2-1 schedules they can transfer to many facilities around the county that don’t work them or even work midnight shifts. They won’t do that because the will lose money…this is what it comes down to the almighty dollar.

I’ve talked about the arrogance of the controllers and their sense of entitlement. Even after all of these sleeping instances there are controller’s that think it was perfectly okay for these controller to be sleeping on position…are you nuts. Maybe the FAA should have put in the cameras and microphone (to pickup the ambient conversation in the working quarters) so that they can monitor everything that goes on in the working quarters. Controllers have control of their personal time off of work and decide when the go to sleep. Some stay up all night playing video games, watching movies, playing on line poker, or doing something else that keeps them up. Then they expect to come in to work and sleep while on position or on their breaks. Don’t get me wrong Air Traffic Manger’s, Operation Manager’s, Staff Manager’s, staff personnel, and secretaries go to sleep while at work. This practice is unofficially been practice through out the FAA for decades. We have these people at my facility that put a sign on their doors saying “do not disturb” (one employee even has one of those motel things to hang on their door); “at lunch”… you get the idea. It’s a common everyday practice in the FAA. Heck some of the above people are playing the online games with the controllers knowing that they have to come to work the next morning or playing golf with them before the midnight shift. We’re adults that get paid vast amounts of money to be responsible for our actions.

Controllers feel that they are entitled to talk and play on their iPhones, get on the internet with their last gadget, watch movies, play online poker, look a porn videos, read, do their taxes and so on and so on all while talking and working airplanes. Everyone knows that it’s happening and no one does anything to stop it. Even after the Lexington, KY Comair crash we have learned nothing or just don’t care.

The conversation keeps coming up that controllers should be allowed to nap (15-20 minutes) when they are on their breaks to get some restorative sleep so they can perform better. The controller workforce knows that this too would be abused to the imp degree. If the controllers/supervisors that were sleeping in these tower/radar facilities couldn’t hear the aircraft calling on the frequency and the telephone ringing how in gods name would you expect them to hear you page them back to work because their fellow controller are working their butts off and need help. It’s been my experience that every time a controller has been given something good that they ultimately abuse the crap out of it…remember the FAM Trip Program or Credit Hours. Yes, the FAA Management has abused the same things that controller have…remember that all of them were controllers once too. We have a responsible job…act responsibly!!!

What's the answer to rotating shifts…this is a tough question and equally hard to find the answers. Everyone knows that a person get better sleep if they have consistent days of and shift assignments (all day, evening, and midnight shifts). But controllers can’t agree on this. Most of the senior controller would choose Friday and Saturdays off and probably all day shift and the junior controller would have Tuesday and Wednesdays of and all night/ midnight shifts. The junior controllers say this isn’t fair that they never get weekends off and don’t want to work all night/midnight shift because they never see their families. We have this 2-2-1 schedule because none of the controllers can agree at most facilities around the country on a reasonable schedule. The general idea is “if I can’t get weekends off then I vote we work rotating shifts/rotating schedule.” Some facilities at least have greed to have a permanent day off schedule that helps somewhat with a consistent sleeping pattern but, it’s the working the 2-2-1 schedule. We as controllers have to accept some of the responsibility on this schedule because we can’t agree to some thing better because in the end a junior controller feels that they are getting screwed over so the other 50-75 controllers must work this 2-2-1 schedule because of a few that have to work their way through the seniority system. Maybe the FAA should go to a hiring practice like Walmart…you are applying for a controller’s position at Nashville, TN and you will be working all evening shifts or all midnight shifts or all day shifts. That way you know exactly what you’re being hired for. Some controller’s whined and complain at their NEW facility that they have to work midnight shifts. They voluntarily transferred to this NEW facility and knew that they had to work midnight shift. If a controller doesn’t want to work these 2-2-1 schedules they can transfer to many facilities around the county that don’t work them or even work midnight shifts. They won’t do that because the will lose money…this is what it comes down to the almighty dollar.

I’ve talked about the arrogance of the controllers and their sense of entitlement. Even after all of these sleeping instances there are controller’s that think it was perfectly okay for these controller to be sleeping on position…are you nuts. Maybe the FAA should have put in the cameras and microphone (to pickup the ambient conversation in the working quarters) so that they can monitor everything that goes on in the working quarters. Controllers have control of their personal time off of work and decide when the go to sleep. Some stay up all night playing video games, watching movies, playing on line poker, or doing something else that keeps them up. Then they expect to come in to work and sleep while on position or on their breaks. Don’t get me wrong Air Traffic Manger’s, Operation Manager’s, Staff Manager’s, staff personnel, and secretaries go to sleep while at work. This practice is unofficially been practice through out the FAA for decades. We have these people at my facility that put a sign on their doors saying “do not disturb” (one employee even has one of those motel things to hang on their door); “at lunch”… you get the idea. It’s a common everyday practice in the FAA. Heck some of the above people are playing the online games with the controllers knowing that they have to come to work the next morning or playing golf with them before the midnight shift. We’re adults that get paid vast amounts of money to be responsible for our actions.

Controllers feel that they are entitled to talk and play on their iPhones, get on the internet with their last gadget, watch movies, play online poker, look a porn videos, read, do their taxes and so on and so on all while talking and working airplanes. Everyone knows that it’s happening and no one does anything to stop it. Even after the Lexington, KY Comair crash we have learned nothing or just don’t care.

The conversation keeps coming up that controllers should be allowed to nap (15-20 minutes) when they are on their breaks to get some restorative sleep so they can perform better. The controller workforce knows that this too would be abused to the imp degree. If the controllers/supervisors that were sleeping in these tower/radar facilities couldn’t hear the aircraft calling on the frequency and the telephone ringing how in gods name would you expect them to hear you page them back to work because their fellow controller are working their butts off and need help. It’s been my experience that every time a controller has been given something good that they ultimately abuse the crap out of it…remember the FAM Trip Program or Credit Hours. Yes, the FAA Management has abused the same things that controller have…remember that all of them were controllers once too. We have a responsible job…act responsibly!!!

Due to future inspections of air traffic facilities across the country Air Traffic Facility Managers’ and the National Air Traffic Controller Association President, through their Regional Vice Presidents and Local Facility Representatives, are asking controllers to take their pillows, blankets, sleeping bags and/or other sleeping items out of the facility. Proof that they’ve known this has been going on and have condone this behavior or decades.

The flying community is lucky that nothing has happened du to PURE LUCK. You, the flying community and passengers, would be horrified if you knew how lucky you are to make it safely to your destination with all that happens in the background. The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controller Association know that controllers’ are doing the following while talking to and working airplanes; sleeping, use of; iPhones, iTouches, computers, laptop computers, playing on the internet with their last gadget, watch movies, play online poker, look a porn videos, having sex, reading, do their taxes and much more. When will it stop…the answer to this is never. The inappropriate behavior/conduct that is done daily by; FAA Management, Regional FAA employees, Air Traffic Mangers’, Operation Managers’, Staff Managers’, staff personnel, secretaries’, National Air Traffic Controller Association personnel and controllers’ is only temporarily curbed or stopped. As soon as something is dealt with it’s only a matter of time before the fore mentioned persons go right back to doing what they’ve done for decades.

What’s the answer…blowup the FAA Management and start all over. Put people in these jobs that will do what they are suppose to do and stop turning a blind eye. This is especially true of at the FAA’s Management at the Regional HUB and Local Level Management. These managers and/or supervisors just want to ride their desk until retirement and do absolutely nothing. There are many, many things going wrong in our industry and they won’t take care of it because they are afraid to deal with confliction and the resisting pressure from the controller workforce and the Local Representative of the National Air Traffic Controller Association union. The FAA needs to hire managers and supervisors that are; self motivated, superior interpersonal skills, integrity, trustworthiness, Team Player, superior traits dealing with conflict-resolution abilities, great knowledge of the Air Traffic industry (don’t hire some controller with 3 years of total service or hasn’t even fully certified in an FAA facility), dependability, ability to remain calm, optimistic attitudes, and most importantly; a BACKBONE and LEADERSHIP SKILS- Beyond all of the other things that you need to see in a manager, you need to immediately be able to see that he/she has strong leadership skills. He/she needs to be confident in his/her ability to lead a team. He/she needs to be a good public speaker, someone who can delegate tasks appropriately and a person that people will feel comfortable taking directions from. If you see these things in someone at an interview, it's a safe bet to guess that this person will probably make a good manager/supervisor and do the right thing regardless of outside pressures and take care of the business of safety in the FAA.

All of these things that I talked about over the last few days come down to this; POOR FAA MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP , NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT OR FIX SOMETHING THAT IS UNSAFE, STOP BEING COWARDS, AND FOR THE FAA AND THE NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ASSOCIATION STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE DAMN PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW ARE OCCURING AND STOP THIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

Due to future inspections of air traffic facilities across the country Air Traffic Facility Managers’ and the National Air Traffic Controller Association President, through their Regional Vice Presidents and Local Facility Representatives, are asking controllers to take their pillows, blankets, sleeping bags and/or other sleeping items out of the facility. Proof that they’ve known this has been going on and have condone this behavior or decades.

The flying community is lucky that nothing has happened du to PURE LUCK. You, the flying community and passengers, would be horrified if you knew how lucky you are to make it safely to your destination with all that happens in the background. The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controller Association know that controllers’ are doing the following while talking to and working airplanes; sleeping, use of; iPhones, iTouches, computers, laptop computers, playing on the internet with their last gadget, watch movies, play online poker, look a porn videos, having sex, reading, do their taxes and much more. When will it stop…the answer to this is never. The inappropriate behavior/conduct that is done daily by; FAA Management, Regional FAA employees, Air Traffic Mangers’, Operation Managers’, Staff Managers’, staff personnel, secretaries’, National Air Traffic Controller Association personnel and controllers’ is only temporarily curbed or stopped. As soon as something is dealt with it’s only a matter of time before the fore mentioned persons go right back to doing what they’ve done for decades.

What’s the answer…blowup the FAA Management and start all over. Put people in these jobs that will do what they are suppose to do and stop turning a blind eye. This is especially true of at the FAA’s Management at the Regional HUB and Local Level Management. These managers and/or supervisors just want to ride their desk until retirement and do absolutely nothing. There are many, many things going wrong in our industry and they won’t take care of it because they are afraid to deal with confliction and the resisting pressure from the controller workforce and the Local Representative of the National Air Traffic Controller Association union. The FAA needs to hire managers and supervisors that are; self motivated, superior interpersonal skills, integrity, trustworthiness, Team Player, superior traits dealing with conflict-resolution abilities, great knowledge of the Air Traffic industry (don’t hire some controller with 3 years of total service or hasn’t even fully certified in an FAA facility), dependability, ability to remain calm, optimistic attitudes, and most importantly; a BACKBONE and LEADERSHIP SKILS- Beyond all of the other things that you need to see in a manager, you need to immediately be able to see that he/she has strong leadership skills. He/she needs to be confident in his/her ability to lead a team. He/she needs to be a good public speaker, someone who can delegate tasks appropriately and a person that people will feel comfortable taking directions from. If you see these things in someone at an interview, it's a safe bet to guess that this person will probably make a good manager/supervisor and do the right thing regardless of outside pressures and take care of the business of safety in the FAA.

All of these things that I talked about over the last few days come down to this; POOR FAA MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP , NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT OR FIX SOMETHING THAT IS UNSAFE, STOP BEING COWARDS, AND FOR THE FAA AND THE NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ASSOCIATION STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE DAMN PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW ARE OCCURING AND STOP THIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

It's time for the FAA Administrator, Mr. Randy Babbit, to send a clear message and put foot to ass and start getting rid of the dead beat managers and supervisors from top to bottom and that the American People and the FAA will not tolerate their irresponsibility. If you start clearing house of these managers/supervisors there will be a change in the ones left behind that if I don't do my job my head will be on the chopping block and I will get fired.

It's also time for the National Air Traffic Controller Association to stop saving these controller's jobs and let them get fired. The National Air Traffic Controller Association does need to protect the controller's rights during any disciplinary actions but stop making up some bull**** story or excuse for their bad behavior to protect their jobs. Air Traffic Controllers all over the country are tired of the National Air Traffic Controller Association protecting these types of controllers.

Both parties need to stop dancing around the poorly design of the 2-2-1 schedule and fix it. If the safest schedule for 24 hour facilities is for controller's to work a schedule of permanenet days off and for controller's to work straight; days, night and midnight shifts then so be it. Just fix it!!!

Here's a guy I helped...they went after his job

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/10-43%20DI-07-2471%20and%20DI-08-1015/10-43%20DI-07-2471%20and%20DI-08-1015%20WB%201%20Comments%20Part%201.pdf

We'll have to wait for the results to come out on the Andrews incident.

Gonna' send you a PM.

I know the folks you're dealing with... Joe Fig, Cliff Aux, and Kevin Gram. I loath these tpes of managers and have dealt with these particular ones in the past. I have actually been in contact with the OIG's office and others on your facilities behalf. The problem is the system and the controller's are part of the system. We need to change our behavior and stay consistent with it to dynamically change the overall culture. We can't expect the FAA to change if we're not willing to change ourselves or our own people. There are many top notch and professional controllers, supervisor, and managers that try everyday to do what is right but are met with resistance.

I know that Chicago Center's Management Team has told the controller work force that it's operation normal there and there not changing anything...with one exception don't get caught sleeping on position. NOT do sleep on position but DON"T GET CAUGHT SLEEPING ON POSITION and no watching movies on position. They have told their supervisors if they catch someone sleeping (on and off position) to look the other way and tell a union rep. so that they can handle it. These people are nuts! If I were a supervisor I'm not sticking my tail on the line and letting a controller sleep on or off position. If someone turns me in for not doing anything the Chicago Center Management Team will not stand in front of Lahood and Babbit and say "yes sir's we told our supervisor's to look the other way". Lahood and Babbit will b-b-q your ass and fire you and no one will help you out... your tough luck you're out of a job.

I once heard Rick Day on a telecon, when the FAA wanted to crack down on controller's supposedly abusing sick leave, that the FAA first needed to go to their regional and national offices first and clean their own house before trying to clean someone's else's. Bravo Mr. Day!