Why was only one controller in the Reno tower?
Remember how in March there was this big foofaraw because a few airplanes making late-night landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had to do so unassisted because the sole air traffic controller manning the tower had fallen asleep? And how the FAA bumped up those shifts to have two controllers so that one could cover the other?
It turns out that a few days later, the FAA instituted new “landing protocols” and then removed the two-person requirement. The new protocols involve keeping in contact with another control tower in case one can’t be contacted. Problem solved!
The new protocols were quickly put to the test early Wednesday when a Sierra Lifeflight plane with a patient onboard had to land on its own at the Reno airport. The traffic controller was out of contact for about 16 minutes.
See, nothing to worry abo–whoa wait just a minute
The FAA immediately launched an investigation and suspended the air traffic controller. Asked about who’s responsible for the incident, Gregor said “the controller fell asleep.”
Oh for the love of
U.S. Rep. John Mica, D-Fla., chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, objected to adding more controllers at airports where nighttime traffic is light.
“Only in the federal government would you double up on workers, averaging $161,000 per year in salary and benefits, that aren’t doing their job,” Mica said in a statement. “This staffing increase misdirects our resources and focus away from congested air traffic control facilities,” he said.
THE WHOLE REASON FOR DOING THIS IS THAT THEY’RE NOT DOING THEIR JOB
THAT IS ESSENTIALLY THE POINT OF REDUNDANCY
MR. MICA WHY DO YOU WANT US TO DIE