"Editorial: Not sending the message"

Monday, April 2, 2007

EDITORIAL
Not sending the message
Our position: The FAA should have been clearer about air-controller
requirements nationwide.
The Orlando (FL) Sentinel


It's hardly a novel concept: "If you want something done right, put it in
writing." But at the Federal Aviation Administration, it's not exactly
standard operating procedure. The agency in 2005 ordered airports operating
round-the-clock to maintain at least two air-traffic controllers at all
times.

But according to a Department of Transportation inspector general, 2,500
overnight shifts at airports in a year were staffed by a single controller.
The reason? The FAA didn't relay its two-person, minimum-staffing rule in
writing.

An FAA spokesman says the agency has taken corrective action and that
understaffing at airport towers has since stopped, and, indeed, raised
issues recently with Orlando International Airport about its staffing
issues.

Well, good. 'Bout time. But we'll put that in writing just the same.

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