U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen gets his GAO report on air traffic control privatization

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/11/25/us-air-traffic-control-privatization-gao-report.html?ana=e_du_prem&s=article_du&ed=2016-11-25&u=ColXVN5SPzQtLHFP87ho2w07857290&t=1480129570&j=76559491

Expressing concern that a push for privatization of air traffic control would accelerate under President-elect Donald Trump, two Pacific Northwest congressmen requested a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report exploring key issues in any potential restructuring and privatization.

"Proponents of privatizing ATC must answer serious questions if they’re serious about moving a proposal in Congress," said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen

Taxpayers have invested $50 billion in 66,000 air traffic control assets over the past 20 years, said Larsen, a ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure's aviation subcommittee from Washington's 2nd District. He was joined in his request by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio from Oregon's 4th District.

The GAO – an independent and non-partisan federal agency – issued a 78-page report of the U.S. aviation traffic control system, which is now managed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Any air traffic control restructuring would be a difficult, complex, challenging multiyear effort. The air traffic control system is bigger and more diverse than any other system in the world," the GAO report found.

Trump generally supports the privatization, says Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster.
You can download the full GAO report here.

http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/680439.pdf

[WhiteTara]

1. Glad to see some proactive work on the part

of the Democrats.

[HassleCat]

2. Why they want to privatize it

Controllers have a high incidence of stressing out. If they can privatize, they can simply fire controllers who have burnout and stress problems. Use them up and spit them out.

[GP6971]

3. that is so true

They'll pay crap with crappy benefits so no one will want to work at those jobs.

[napi21]

4. If they pay crap with ccrappy benefits, they'd got NO EMPLOYEES!

I know several ATC's and it's true, it can be a very high stress job. Think how you would emotionally respond if the lives of 200+ people depend on YOU and the decisions YOU MAKE! They are paid well, as they should be. If the pay and benies go away sswo will all the employees. They'd have no reason to take on that kind of responsibility.

[GP6971]

5. Agree

No one would risk flying. I wouldn't.

[drmeow]

6. If the airlines are smart

(which they aren't) they will fight this tooth and nail

[eppur_se_muova]

7. Which is probably why a Rep from the Seattle area is concerned. Bad for airlines, bad for Boeing.