With Upstate NY Airports Facing Significant Air Traffic Controller Staffing Shortage, Schumer Unveils New Plan To Dramatically Boost Controller Recruitment, Training, And Hiring

With air service on the rise in communities across upstate New York, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that there are potentially 25 percent fewer air traffic controllers watching the skies over New York this year than there should be. Schumer will say that, with air service growing, fewer controllers watching more flights could lead to delays, close calls, and even disaster. One of the primary reasons for this shortage is the growing number of air traffic controllers who are retiring. In the past, between 1 and 2 % of the controller workforce became eligible for retirement each year. That number will reach 10 percent in 2007. In just the last week, 100 air traffic controllers across the country have already retired, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

Air traffic controllers are the glue that keeps our aviation system together and that glue is starting to wither away, Schumer said. Air traffic controllers exist for a reason, to ensure that the planes taking off and landing are doing so safely. Sadly the FAA continues to short staff control towers in an effort to control costs while they eschew safety and efficiency. The FAA needs to open its eyes, because as air traffic goes up, so too does the need for air traffic controllers. Halfstaffing towers just doesnt cut it.

One of the primary reasons for this shortage is the growing number of air traffic controllers who are retiring. In the past, between 1 and 2 % of the controller workforce became eligible for retirement each year. That percentage has increased 3 and 4% per year and will peak at almost 10% per year in 2007 and remain above 5% per year through 2011.

The FAA has estimated that 7,100 controllers, roughly 45% of its current workforce, will retire over the next eight years. According to NATCA, the union that represents air traffic controllers, there are 1,000 fewer air traffic controllers nationwide now than three years ago, while air traffic is on the rise

Short staffing at air traffic control facilities can cause delays, congestion, close calls, and even disaster. Last year, 49 people were killed and one injured when Comair Flight 5191 crashed into the woods trying to take off from Lexington, KYs Bluegrass Airport. The ensuing investigation has uncovered that only one air traffic controller was on duty at the time of the accident, though the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that Bluegrass Airport must have two controllers on duty at all times.

Towers across upstate New York are currently facing controller shortages due to FAA understaffing, budget cuts and impending retirements. According to NATCA, in upstate New York, there are currently only 164 controllers watching the skies, including inhouse trainees and controllers on medical leave, instead of the 192 authorized by the FAA. This represents a more than 25 percent shortfall. Below is how the numbers break out at upstate airports and major connections.

"The air traffic control tower at Albany International Airport currently only has 26 fulltime controllers and one trainee, instead of the 30 authorized by the FAA. With seven controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 33 percent understaffed this year.

"The air traffic control tower at SyracuseHancock International Airport currently only has 20 fulltime controllers and two trainees, instead of the 30 authorized by the FAA. With one controller possibly eligible to retire this year, the tower could be more than 25 percent understaffed this year.

"The air traffic control tower at Rochester International Airport currently only has 24 fulltime controllers and two trainees, instead of the 30 authorized by the FAA. With two controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 20 percent understaffed this year.

"The air traffic control tower at Binghamton International Airport currently only has 11 fulltime controllers and one trainee, instead of the 17 authorized by the FAA. With two controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 40 percent understaffed this year. ElmiraCorning Airport currently has 12 active controllers with two trainees, with 13 authorized by the FAA. There is one controller eligible to retire this year.

"The air traffic control towers at White Plains and Stewart Airport currently only have 15 and 9 fulltime controllers working respectively, instead of the 18 and 12 authorized by the FAA. There is one trainer also working at White Plains. With two White Plains and four Stewart controllers eligible to retire this year, towers in the Hudson Valley could face a shortfall of more than 35 percent.

"The air traffic control tower at Buffalo International Airport currently only has 29 fulltime controllers and one trainee, with 30 authorized by the FAA. With four controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 15 percent understaffed this year.

Smaller airports, particularly in the North Country and the Southern Tier the control towers are only staffed with one or two full time controllers. However, the main, and sometimes only, out of state connections from these airports, specifically Boston and Pittsburgh, are also dealing with significant controller shortages. Backups and incidents and these airports would quickly ripple back to the New York airports.

"The air traffic control tower at Boston Logan International Airport currently only has 32 fulltime controllers and one trainee, instead of the 38 authorized by the FAA. With 13 controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 50 percent understaffed this year.

"The air traffic control tower at Pittsburgh International Airport currently only has 65 fulltime controllers instead of the 80 authorized by the FAA. With 20 controllers eligible to retire this year, the tower could be 45 percent understaffed this year.

In addition, towers in all of New York State have far less controllers working than they should have. According to NATCA, the FAA has authorized 892 total controllers to be working in towers and centers in all of New York State. However, there are only 699 fully trained and working.

Today, Schumer unveiled his plan to reverse the potentially devastating effects of massive air traffic controller retirements and boost recruitment across the board.

" Triple funding for recruitment, training, and hiring: Today, Schumer sent a personal letter to President Bush asking him to include a significant increase in funding in his FY 2008 for air traffic controllers recruiting, training, and hiring. For Fiscal Year 2007, the Administration only requested an additional $18.2 million for recruitment, training and hiring, which would only add an additional 132 controllers. Schumer today asked the Administration to request $54 million in its budget to make up for losses and ensure there are enough controllers watching the skies.

" Reverse cuts to trainee salarys and benefits: Prior to September 2006, air traffic controller trainees received a $30,000 salary and per diem stipend. Under the newly imposed contract, the FAA cut their salary to roughly $17,000 per year and eliminated the per diem. Schumer today wrote to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey asking her to reverse the FAAs decision to cut the salary and per diem.