NATCA Fights White House's Privatization Plan
Placing politics over aviation safety, the White House has attempted to destroy the bipartisan-supported measures passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate that would have prohibited the privatization of air traffic control services to the lowest bidder.
After both the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly in June 2003 to protect the safety of the air traffic control system, the White House waged an all-out lobbying campaign to reverse the actions taken by Congress and undermine the will of the American people.
The result was a back-room deal waged by the leaders of the Congressional conference committee reconciling the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill - without debate or on-the-record accountability - that would allow the removal of FAA controllers from 69 air traffic control towers and replace them with part-time contract employees.
In the wake of the controversy surrounding air traffic control privatization, NATCA's leadership blasted a plan by House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., to trade towers for votes on the FAA reauthorization bill, calling the effort "a total outrage and an affront to the American flying public."
On Oct. 30, 2003, House Republicans' unwillingness to put safety over political ideology became apparent in the House passage of the FAA reauthorization bill. NATCA President John Carr commented that, "Democracy has taken a big hit. What's the point of a checks and balances system of government if the overwhelming will of both houses of Congress can get tossed aside like yesterday's trash?"
The fate of the bill in the Senate remained uncertain. Republicans attempted to limit debate on the bill and prevent a filibuster from Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and others concerned about the effects of privatization, but this effort ultimately failed. On Nov. 21, 2003, NATCA and the flying public scored a huge victory when the bill passed the Senate with a letter from FAA Administrator Marion Blakey promising that the agency would not privatize any air traffic control function for a one-year period. The final chapter in this crucial safety battle remains unwritten, but NATCA will stay on the front line of this very important fight.
Read this special section to get the facts about how NATCA and others are fighting air traffic control privatization.
Privatization: You Don't Want It in Your Itinerary
Learn all about the dangers of air traffic control privatization in this comprehensive interactive feature. This section also chronicles how NATCA defeated White House efforts to privatize the nation's air traffic system in 2003, as well as the experiences of other countries that have privatized their ATC systems.
Latest News
Catch up on the most recent developments in NATCA's fight against air traffic control privatization.
Press Releases
Read the union's recent press releases relating to this issue.
On The Record: Members of Congress Speak Out Against Privatizing Air Traffic Control
Read recent statements made "on the record" by legislators standing up against the threat of air traffic control privatization.
Contract Tower Program
Learn the truth behind the FAA's Contract Tower Program in this detailed issue brief.
Congressional Quotes
Read recent quotes from legislators who support NATCA's view on air traffic control privatization.
Media Coverage
This issue was covered by television, radio and media across the country. Click above for more details.
Advertisements
Check out NATCA's radio, television and print ads that have aired during this campaign.
Targeted Airports
Has one of your local airports been targeted for privatization?
European Air Traffic Control Privatization
Read a recent report that illustrates why the U.S. air traffic control system is more productive and efficient than its privatized European counterpart.
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