FAA Head of Air Traffic Operations Resigns

[The Northerner]

Source: Bloomberg

The Federal Aviation Administration’s chief operating officer stepped down following a string of reports of air-traffic controllers falling asleep on the job.

Henry Krakowski, a former head of flight operations for United Airlines, resigned after meeting with FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, the agency said in a statement today. Krakowski was in charge of controllers at the agency. David Grizzle, the FAA’s chief counsel, will take the job as the agency seeks a replacement.

“Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their safety,” Babbitt said in the statement. “This conduct must stop immediately.”

The FAA said yesterday two more controllers were caught sleeping on the job, bringing to four the number the agency has reported this year. That number may grow. Two controllers were suspended for failing to hand off control of a departing plane in Lubbock, Texas, on March 29 and for failing to respond until contact attempts were repeated, the FAA said yesterday.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-14/faa-air-traffic-head-krakowski-quits-after-reports-of-sleeping-controllers.html

[aquart]

1. Start treating them like valued professionals instead of cheap labor.

Here's a thought, duckies: If an air traffic controller feels the least bit sleepy, I WANT HIM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A NAP.
I don't want him hopped up on caffeine or amphetamines to stay awake because his body rhythm has been jerked around by idiotic scheduling.

Lives depend on these people. Treat them like that matters, even if you don't think they do.

[mimitabby]

2. i agree

yes, AQUART i agree with you!

[guyton]

3. good thing the air traffic controllers have a strong union

Sure is a good thing the air traffic controllers have a strong union ... so they can insist on decent staffing levels and working conditions to avoid dangerous situations like a shift with but a single overworked controller.

Oh wait. Ronnie Raygun. Oh yeah. Well. Hmm. But unions are evil!