Jan 16, 2008 5:32 pm US/Central
Union Says DFW Needs More Air Traffic Controllers
EULESS (CBS 11 News) ―
Four of the nation's busiest air
traffic control centers have declared a staffing emergency. Now DFWs facility has declared an emergency
of its own.
The radar facility that handles
inbound and outbound planes to within about 30 miles of DFW is said to be so
understaffed that while safety may not be compromised yet, it could be, and
delays could get ugly.
The number of radar controllers that
handles traffic coming and going from North Texas is getting dangerously thin,
according to union officials.
Already faced with six day and 50 hour
work weeks, the ranks of those who watch the radar screens are down to a level
the union is far from comfortable with when it comes to safety.
Darrell Meachum is with the National
Air Traffic Controllers Association, which is the controllers' union. He said, "Even if we were able to keep
facilities running safely on massive amounts of overtime, certainly there will
be increased delays."
The union reports that in 2006 there
were 45 operational errors when it comes to tracking aircraft.
In 2007, that number was up to 59
errors, and already in the first quarter of 2008, the union says there have
been 38 reported losses of separation between aircraft.
The union says those numbers reflect
the increased burden on a thinning staff, and they blame the FAA for not having
nearly enough trained professionals in the pipeline, ready to take on the
pressure filled skies around North Texas.
"Each controller that leaves that
creates a scenario for the next controller to have to work more airplanes, in
worsening conditions," Meachum said.
"And ultimately, they walk out the door."
The FAA responded today,
saying they agree that staffing is tight. The agency falls short of declaring any kind
of staffing emergency at DFW's radar facility. FAA officials say 14 new controllers are in
the process of coming into DFW's facility from other regions to help alleviate
the problem.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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