Rep. Andrews Continues Fighting FAA Airspace Plan

On Monday, I, and Congressman Sestak and members of the National Air Traffic Controller Association participated in a press conference to discuss the safety concerns associated with the FAA’s rushed implementation of the airspace redesign plan. I specifically addressed the recent comments made by Jim Peters of the FAA, which were issued in response to NATCA’s safety concerns and which appeared in the February 21 edition of the Delaware County Daily Times. I discussed my concerns with the FAA’s bad management practices and lack of leadership as it pertains to aircraft safety and the safety of ground populations. I will continue to battle the FAA’s airspace redesign plan because I believe this plan is a bad deal for South Jersey and the FAA should not threaten or punish the NATCA for raising safety concerns over this matter.

Below is a recent article highlighting this event:

DELAWARE COUNTY TIMES: Sestak calls FAA a ‘rogue’ agency

By Vicky Thomas

U.S. Reps. Joe Sestak, D-7 of Edgmont, and Rob Andrews, D-N.J., blasted the Federal Aviation Administration for “rogue” comments the congressmen say were made to intimidate employees and show a disregard for safety.
Joined by members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the congressmen addressed a crowd of about 75 at Ridley Park Borough Hall Monday about what they said is an example of the FAA’s “blatant disregard” for public safety.

The FAA’s comments were a response to a press conference last week where Don Chapman, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NATCA, said the union has concerns about safety issues resulting from the new flight paths at the Philadelphia International Airport.

Chapman spoke to reporters about added pressures facing air traffic controllers, confusion on the runways and dismissive management practices, adding that he thought the agency “didn’t do their homework prior to implementing these procedures.”

FAA Eastern Region spokesman Jim Peters responded to Chapman by telling the Daily Times that the union’s assertions were a maneuver to get the FAA to reopen contract negations.“The union is dissatisfied with its contract that the FAA implemented in September 2006. They’re playing the safety card, which is outrageous,” said Peters in the Feb. 21 edition of the Daily Times. “If any controller at the Philadelphia airport believes that these procedures are unsafe, they should look for work elsewhere.

“These procedures are put in place to ensure that the crews and passengers will arrive safely at the Philadelphia airport. The controllers are there to ensure the planes get down safe. If they don’t like working for FAA, they should reconsider their line of work.”

At Monday’s press conference, Patrick Forrey, national president of NATCA, said he was outraged by the FAA’s statements. “This is the height of arrogance from an out-of-control agency that is now trying to stifle whistleblowers, intimidate union members and discredit controllers’ commitment to safety,” said Forrey. Forrey said the union was ignored by the FAA when it tried to deal with the concerns internally, leaving no choice but to go public.

“The FAA has responded by trying to intimidate us into staying silent. It’s reprehensible,” said Forrey, adding that the NATCA will continue to vocalize its concerns.
Peters responded to Monday’s complaints by saying, “The agency stands by its position that these procedures are safe.”
Sestak said employee concerns should be taken seriously in all industries. “Imagine someone in a hospital, if the doctor or a nurse reports an unsafe procedure, and the CEO of the hospital says, ‘Look, if you don’t like working here …’ and doesn’t even take the comment on board or address it,” said Sestak, calling the FAA “out of control.”

“They have been arrogant, contemptuous in their comments, sarcastic at best. It is really a rogue agency and I honestly believe they need to be held accountable.”

Andrews said the issue goes beyond the health of constituents or the noise.
“If you want to coerce your workers, if you want to mistreat them when they speak up, you will have to deal with the United States Congress,” Andrews said, adding that the air traffic controllers should be commended for speaking up. “If you blow the whistle because you’ve seen something wrong in the workplace … you should be rewarded for that, not punished.”
GOP candidate for Congress Craig Williams, of Concord Township, said Peters wasn’t able to defend himself at last week’s press conference.

“I didn’t hear him, so I’d like to talk to him,” Williams said. “I’d like to hear directly from the FAA and find out how we can fix the new flight patterns over Delaware County.”

}

Return to the Washington Updates Page