Idiots In Charge

The U.S. Department of Inspector General has released a new report on the controller staffing levels in California. If you read this blog on a regular basis, you already know what it says -- even if you haven’t seen it. I actually think the IG does a fair job so my contempt is for the idiots in charge at the FAA -- past and present.

Here’s the “big duh” part from the Los Angeles Times:

”The inspector general recommended that the FAA validate the staffing levels at the two tracking centers; improve financial incentives to keep experienced controllers on the job; provide enough instructors to train an unprecedented surge in new employees; and address a dramatic increase in overtime paid to controllers, which has grown almost 900% in the last two years at LAX. “

Here’s the contemptible part:

”"The report acknowledges what the FAA has said for years -- that hiring and training large numbers of new controllers is a big challenge, but it is a challenge we have prepared for," said Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman in Los Angeles. “

Idiots.

The report goes on to state that the FAA should treat their employees as decent human beings should be treated, seek psychological therapy and close the barn door even though the horse is already gone. Well, it might as well say that for all the good it’s going to do. The damage has already been done. Read it anyway. You won’t believe how bad some of the staffing numbers are. Well, if you’ve been paying attention you will -- but you won’t.

Idiots.

Just a little historical footnote for you, from the nation’s newspaper of record -- The New York Times.

”The Senate unanimously confirmed Marion C. Blakey, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Ms. Blakey, President Bush's choice to lead the agency, will succeed Jane F. Garvey, whose five-year term expired in August. Ms. Blakey, 54, has promised to hire and train air traffic controllers aggressively to compensate for the expected retirements of as many as 5,000 by 2006.“

That was published on Thursday, September 12, 2002.

Idiots.

Don Brown
April 29, 2009