Retirement Wave Creates Shortage of Air Traffic Controllers (Ron's fault)

[kskiska]

Nearly half of the nation's air traffic controllers will reach the mandatory retirement age in the next decade, according to government estimates, forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to triple its current rate of hiring and training at a time when air traffic is expected to grow significantly.

Of the 15,100 controllers who do the vital work of managing the skies from control towers and in vast, dim rooms with rows of radar scopes, about 7,100 will turn the mandatory retirement age of 56 by the 2012 fiscal year, and most will have the option of retiring years earlier. The F.A.A. says that means it will have to hire about 790 a year, an increase of 33 percent from current hiring levels.

The F.A.A. acknowledges the challenge, but says it can cope. "The retirement wave is real," said Greg Martin, an agency spokesman in Washington. "We're going to have to be ready for it. We will be ready."

The bulk of retirements are coming in the next few years because most of the current controllers were hired in 1982 as replacements for the 11,350 fired by President Ronald Reagan for going on strike the previous year, and they are approaching retirement age.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/nyregion/20controllers.html?hp

[burrowowl]

1. Sure as hell is Raygun's fault

My sister was secretary of her PACTO chapter and got fired.
My Father got pulled out of retirement to train new ones.
The controllers were striking because of bad infrastructure around many airports for tower landing/take-off. Still to this day some bad spots have not been corrected.
I was on vacation in the U$ from France when it occurred. The lies on the news as to pay and the controllers being greedy because they wanted more pay was unbelievable (lying propaganda news really started under Raygun). It was a safety issue which included working conditions (on busy days at busy airports, controllers didn't have time to pee much less eat a meal). Going back to France, separation wasn't very good, was relieved when we got over the Atlantic.
Many people do not want to be air traffic controllers because it is too damn stressful, you are responsible for a hell of a lot more lives a day than a pilot. Computerization still has glitches, etc.

THEN REPUKES HAD THE FRIGGING GAUL TO RENAME WASHINGTON AIRPORT AFTER THE FUCKTARD!

[burrowowl]

2. This should be of concern for all who fly

As well as shoddier and shoddier maintenance on airplanes.