Says New Staffers Are Coming Onboard To Fill Posts

In response to a scathing report issued Tuesday by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association on the state of what the union calls a staffing crisis at Southern California control facilities, the FAA contends controllers are bending the numbers to "make something appear one way when it is not the case."

As Aero-News reported, NATCA states Los Angeles International Airport has 35 certified controllers on staff -- with about 14 of those either eligible to retire in coming months, or awaiting transfers to other facilities. The union contends the FAA's restaffing plan will not fill those voids soon enough... and that staffing levels at LAX could be down to 27 controllers within a year, potentially impacting safety.

"A number that low would cause massive delays, no matter how much the FAA forces controllers to work overtime," said Mike Foote, the LAX facility representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

In response, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told KNBC-4 the actual number of controllers at LAX is 39, who are either already certified or are training after transferring from other facilities. Gregor further states 10 controllers will come up for retirement this year -- but historically, the FAA expects only two of those to jump ship.

"We absolutely are factoring retirements into the equation. There's no question," he said.

Controllers who have requested transfers out of LAX aren't being allowed to leave until replacements are online, Gregor added. The spokesman also disputes NATCA's claims of decreased safety margins... stating "about 80 percent" of all airport incidents "are pilot error ... and therefore controller staffing has absolutely nothing to do with it."

Gregor also took NATCA to task for claiming a staffing shortage in Long Beach has led to forced overtime, and controllers working as long as 60 hours per week. The spokesman acknowledged controllers are having to work overtime, as their facility is one short of its target staffing range of up to 21 controllers. But the FAA plans to bring five new hires onboard this fiscal year, Gregor said, and two "developmental" controllers are already on staff in Long Beach.

Gregor points to NATCA's dissatisfaction with the pay contract enforced last year for its claims.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.natca.org