Air traffic controllers union: Flying is 'less safe today than it was a month ago'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill


BY EMILY BIRNBAUM - 01/16/19 10:07 AM EST

A top member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said Wednesday that flying is "less safe today than it was a month ago" due to the partial government shutdown.

"I would say [flying] is less safe today than it was a month ago, absolutely," Trish Gilbert, the executive vice president of the labor union, said on "CNN Newsroom."

"We are working with barebones crews," Gilbert said. "We have controllers there doing what they do very, very well – but how long can you expect them to do it without all of the systems behind them to keep the system safe? And the planes in the air?"

Link to tweet

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425597-national-air-traffic-controllers-association-flying-is-less-safe

[madaboutharry]

1. I predict that the pilots are going to go on strike and refuse to fly.

[RobinA]

2. I Doubt

they can do that, although my Railway Labor Act is a bit rusty.

[LanternWaste]

5. I think the (legal) denial for a strike is dependent on one argument.

previous industry consolidation that followed all the airline bankruptcies, which (it could be argued) would make a single strike too much for the U.S. economy to bear. In that case, the strike could be overridden.

[nycbos]

3. Of course it is.

You want air traffic controllers 100% focused on their jobs. Now while controlling the planes taking off and landing they are wondering if they can pay their mortgage and other stuff.

[akraven]

4. My neighbor, who is ATC, says "Just don't fly". Period.

She's been on the job for over 20 years.

I ain't flying anywhere.

[Maxheader]

6. Not safe..that should really perk up ticket sales..

But its good to know...

[smirkymonkey]

7. If this continues, it's just a matter of time before we have a major air disaster.

We can't expect to go on like this without consequences.