Question for our AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS...how'd the first two days go?

[MercutioATC]

I know we have a few here and I hope this doesn't sink before they get to see it and report...

How did the first couple of days on the Nontract go?

I hear ZNY is 100% black clothing now...intending to keep it up until Memorial Day (when, of course, etiquette would allow them to wear white again).

ZOB's response showed something short of even marginal solidarity (although tomorrow is the first day back for the chief and office folk, so some people are supposedly waiting until then). The number of people who tried to make even a small statement could have been counted on one hand...


Show me up. Tell me what you did. Hell, tell me anecdotes you've heard from other facilities.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Are there any air traffic controllers on DU?

[LynneSin]

3. It's an underrepresented population here at DU

Reagan cleaned them all out back in the 80s and replaced them with scabs

[MercutioATC]

5. I'll assume you're not referring to me as a scab...

:)

[LynneSin]

7. Yikes we do have ATC

I was making a joke about the Reagan thingie in reference to the DU lounge that "reagan cleared em out"

Please don't hurt me

:cry:

[MercutioATC]

9. No problem..

There are just a couple of ex-PATCO guys here who like to throw around the "scab" moniker a little freely...

For the record, I was 13 years old when Reagan fired the PATCO controllers.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. I heard that this was becoming a huge problem...

because the ones hired during the Ray-gun misadministration are all retiring; and thanks to Ronnie-boy, there aren't a lot of folks who are interested in the job.

[MercutioATC]

17. It's simple math. 1981 + 25 = 2006

We're eligible to retire after 25 years. A lot of controllers were hired in 1981-82. That means that there's a HUGE number of controllers eligible to retire over the next two years...and with the new pay cuts and imposed working conditions (it's NOT a contract), they're going to.

That, combined with the new pay bands and their effect on attracting new hres, is going to cripple us.

[MercutioATC]

6. At least three...and a couple of ex-PATCO guys, too.

...and a SO of a controller...and at least a few current or ex commercial pilots.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. That's interesting...

I hope they read your question! :hi:

[MrCoffee]

2. how long have you been an ATC?

[MercutioATC]

4. Over 15 years.

I've been at Cleveland Center the whole time...since 1991.

[LynneSin]

8. See, you were hired years after Reagan did his crap

:pals:

[MercutioATC]

10. Agreed. It was "crap".

...but it greatly aided the Republican anti-union agenda. The country as a whole suffered (and continues to suffer) from that.

Witness the new FAA/NATCA "nontract".

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. I know someone who studied to be a controller, and was accepted

for a facility to be determined (probably ZMP), but has been waiting for a start date for over a year because of the contract "negotiations." But now because the new contract sucks, she's thinking she doesn't even want to do it any more at all; the starting salary is so low she can't afford to do it.

I suspect that what the FAA is trying to do to the controllers is all part of Bush's plot to privatize the whole thing, which is very likely to have serious safety implications.

[MercutioATC]

16. ATC Academy trainees are making $8.50/hour with NO per diem.

Some of them are sleeping in their cars at the Academy.

Have her look into DOD controller jobs. There are a couple of rookies where I work that are thinking of quitting the FAA and signing on with DOD...at their seniority level, it's a beter deal.

[KFC]

18. That strikes me as fucking crazy

People aren't payed jack to train for such a technical and demanding job? I fly nearly every week. I guess you have to go someway.

[MercutioATC]

19. Not if you're trying to break an agency....

...so you can privatize it.


I'm not suggesting that's what they're doing, but I've heard the theory bandied about...



I've always said that the only reason ATC in the U.S. works is because of our HUGE experience base. Looks like that base may be shrinking...

[KFC]

20. Respek for you and all the ATCs

[MercutioATC]

21. Thanks!

We appreciate it!

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

23. I think all aviation jobs have went the way of low pay

because of the greedy airlines, I went to school to be an A&P Mechanic, basically they told prospective students "Hey after 2 years of schooling you'll be making 40k a year with excellent benefits at an airline." I believed the crap for a while because there was a few companies actually paying that, but after my first year of schooling, I started getting in contact with different airlines and aviation companies and I started seeing that most started you out around fast food pay. This is insane people who are resposible for for the safety of passengers on a aircraft even more so than a pilot and their making Taco Bell wages. Being an A&P mechanic in my view is very similiar to being a doctor, that your working on something worthy a lot.

[libnnc]

14. re: Dress code--Spousal unit's been wearing all black as a statement

There's word that a former co-worker of her's at GSO (she worked there before going to CLT) is going to wear a dress. He's about 6'5, 250 lbs and kinda hairy. He asked the supervisor during the non-tract briefing if he could wear a dress to work. After the supe made a phone call he gave the guy permission. I'm sure there will be pics. :rofl:

There are some managers at Charlotte who are refusing to go to the terminal to get themselves coffee/lunch. They know not to rub it in. According to SO, there are a couple of managers who are gloating, though.

Loved the pirate pic btw...:thumbsup:

[MercutioATC]

15. Supposedly, the forums at NATCA.net are posting pics...

...and I imagine Pat, our new Prez, is getting a lot of e-mails (we've known each other for years, so I shot him the pirate pic).

I think the important thing is to not let up. They expect us to all roll over in a week or so. We need to grow this passive resistance thing. If they start cracking down, comply and grieve.

Management at ZOB has allowed any outfit that meets the letter of the dress code...so far. Supposedly, they're going to start using the "that doesn't look professional" angle next week. The moment they start interpreting Article 69, they're going to be buried in grievances.

Let the games begin!

[Gormy Cuss]

22. Would you please post a brief summary of the more odious changes?

Or link us back to the last DU thread on this? I know that you've posted on it in the past but I'm betting that I'm not the only one who doesn't remember the details.

Privatizing ATC sounds like a great idea to me. Why not offshore it at the same time?:sarcasm: