Says Thank You To Congressman Hastings With "Sentinel Of
Safety" Award
Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-FL, was presented with NATCA's
"Sentinel of Safety" award, this week, during his appearance before
the organization's annual legislative conference. The "Sentinel of
Safety" Award was created as a way to honor a member of the
aviation and legislative communities who has displayed outstanding
achievement in the advancement of aviation safety. The award is
open to all leaders of the aviation community, with a special
emphasis on those whose leadership on aviation safety issues has
been historic, aggressive and courageous.
"It is a great day for NATCA when we can bestow this type of
honor and say a well-deserved thank you to such a courageous and
forceful champion of aviation safety and Congressman Hastings is
all of those things and more," NATCA President Patrick Forrey said.
"It is extremely valuable and inspirational to have a leader like
Congressman Hastings standing beside the aviation safety
professionals that NATCA represents, fighting to demand a complete
examination of FAA policies and decisions and open dialogue with
all concerned parties."
NATCA notes that, 'the FAA is moving forward on ad hoc air
traffic control facility and service realignment efforts without a
comprehensive review procedure to determine whether the realignment
provides an operational benefit to users, increases safety and
efficiency, and/or saves the taxpayer money. This despite
overwhelming, bipartisan Congressional opposition, including the
delegations from 27 states. NATCA believes FAA Reauthorization is
needed to provide that review procedure and compel the FAA to
subject all current realignment efforts to this needed layer of
oversight, accountability and transparency.'
Just as with technological development, NATCA beleives that
realignment efforts completed in a collaborative environment will
ensure benefits are realized rather than squandered. 'Nobody
believes this more than Congressman Hastings, whose efforts to put
a spotlight on FAA realignment plans in Florida,' included a March
letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that was co-signed by
members of the Florida Congressional delegation.
The letter stated, "We
write to inquire about the FAA's plans for air traffic control
services in Florida, particularly the relocation of terminal radar
approach control (TRACON) services from West Palm Beach (PBI) to
Miami (MIA) and the service provided to the expanding areas around
Fort Pierce (FPR) and Vero Beach (VRB). During meetings between
Members of Congress, the FAA, and controllers from Miami Approach,
Miami Center and West Palm Beach, discussions have repeatedly
centered on the FAA's lack of a strategic plan for Florida. All the
parties agree that FPR and VRB would be better served by an
approach facility.
"We are deeply concerned about the recent FAA decision to split
tower and radar functions at Orlando International in spite of
overwhelming Congressional opposition. The combined configuration
at Orlando provided management with flexibility to place
controllers where circumstances dictated they were needed.
…We are also concerned about the operational benefits of air
traffic control facilities that house controllers certified in both
radar and tower operations. It is more effective and efficient for
a controller to have hands-on working knowledge of both aspects of
the operation, so that they can more safely and proficiently
hand-off and receive aircraft from and to the next controller. When
these functions are split that vital symmetry between radar and
tower controllers is lost."
While NATCA thinks highly of Hastings, and his support of their
Union, the choice of the Congressman is not without some
significant controversy. Hastings has had a checkered past. In
1981, (then) Judge Hastings was charged with accepting a $150K
bribe. The case against him fell apart when his alleged
co-conspirator refused to testify against him. In 1988, the House
looked into the matter and impeached Hastings for bribery and
perjury. The vote was 413-3. The Senate convicted him in
1989, making the sixth Federal Judge removed from office -- move
that was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court. Depsite all that,
the votes and consequences did not keep him from being elected to
Congress in 1992, from Florida's 23rd District.