Rehiring of Air Controllers

Some years ago 11,000 professional men and women made a decision that soon proved to be not only illegal and ill-advised, but fatal to their careers and disruptive to the aviation industry as a whole.

We were air traffic controllers and in conjunction with the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, went on strike in 1981 and were subsequently dismissed.

Today proponents and critics of the air traffic control system including FAA management, current controllers, U.S. carriers and certain congressional interests agree that delays are increasing and safety margins are being compromised and, that there is an immediate need for new controllers.

The FAA is hiring new controllers. However, in most cases newly hired controllers at the busiest facilities are not checked out or at full performance level for a period of three to five years.

Were we wrong? You bet. We were wrong for striking against the government, wrong for breaking the law, wrong for attempting to hold the air traffic system and the flying public at bay.

Yes, we were wrong. But is there another wrong being committed today? There are thousands of qualified and experienced former controllers available who could be recertified within a few months, not years. They would have a positive impact on reducing the delays and bringing relief to a system desperately in need.

Isn’t it time to act on the fact that a viable solution is at hand and to stop reacting on principle and the “you made your bed now die in it” attitude?

I’m ready, are they?

JAMES URICK

San Diego