Jan 4, 2008 11:58 pm US/Eastern
Air Traffic Controllers Warn Of Trouble In Miami
Click Here For The Entire Air Traffic Controllers' Complaint
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) ―
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The new Miami International Airport tower is on the left. The old one on the right was demolished in recent years.
CBS4 News
South Florida air traffic controllers are blowing the whistle in a CBS4 News Exclusive, on a system they say is on the verge of collapsing.
The Miami center is responsible for planes in the air, from Boca Raton to the Caribbean, covering more than 400 sq. miles. The controllers union spoke out on a host of concerns that are putting you at risk when you fly.
Blocks away from Miami International Airport, air traffic controllers guide planes across South Florida and beyond. It's there that Steven Wallace is responsible at any given time for 2,000 people, and the last thing you want to hear him say is, "The system is in jeopardy of collapsing."
Wallace's concern is over the FAA's recent decision to hire hundreds of new controllers to replace a retiring work force. At first glance it was great news, but then the FAA changed the way they would train them.
"They wanted to compress the training program in order to ensure that controllers would be available to backfill behind an increasing number of retirements," said Wallace, who is part of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
A four year training became a two year program, but it's now so backlogged that the new hires are having to wait up to 16 months before entering a classroom. Until then, most of the new hires are going to work and doing nothing.
"The new system is not working," said Wallace. "Developmental controls are leaving in record numbers."
11 new hires have left since July, including one who wrote in his resignation letter about the 70 percent pay cut he took to work there. He cited the massive backlog in training as the reason for leaving.
"Staffing levels have gotten so bad that in a typical day an air traffic controller will do the work of three people," said Wallace.
With dozens of retirements on the horizon, Wallace is worried about who will man the scopes.
"They're jeopardizing the integrity of the safest air traffic control system in the world."
To put it in laymen's terms, if there isn't enough personnel to watch all planes, controllers tell us the simple fix right now is to delay your plane. Putting more time between flights makes it easier on them.
The FAA Released the following two statements in response:
During the winter season, traffic increases 30 percent in Miami Center airspace and Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller training slows during this period. The agency staffs the Center with about 10 additional certified professional air traffic controllers from other facilities to assist with traffic. This allows the facility to continue some training and reduce staff over time. Presently at Miami Center there are over 90 controllers in training that produce more than 2,000 hours of training each month.
-Warren Woodberry
FAA Southern Region
With regard to NATCA's allegations about "draconian" work rules, controllers have all the rights of every other Federal employee, and then some. These rights are considerable compared to the private sector. Most Miami Center controllers are not working 10 hour days, nor six day weeks. Developmental controllers are being trained to the highest standards, and are certified only when they can meet the challenges of the world's busiest airspace system. The FAA will not compromise safety under any condition. Additionally, air traffic operational errors, an important safety metric, have declined at Miami Center.
-Kathleen Bergen
Manager, External Communications/Public Affairs
FAA Southern Region
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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