Lautenberg Confronts Transpo Sec. Peters, FAA Director Sturgell on Controversial Remark, Flight Safety

Secretary, Acting FAA Head Express Regret for Comments Encouraging Air Traffic Controllers With Safety Concerns to "Seek Employment Elsewhere"

February 28, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Under direct questioning from U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today at a Senate hearing, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Robert Sturgell said they regretted remarks made last week by an FAA spokesperson, inviting air traffic controllers who had concerns over the safety of the new procedures to “look for work elsewhere” and, if they did not like working at the FAA, they should “reconsider their line of work.”

Article continues below...

FAA Eastern Region Spokesman Jim Peters last week said: “If any controller at the Philadelphia Airport believes that these procedures are unsafe, they should look for work elsewhere.”

At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing this morning, Lautenberg questioned Sec. Peters and Sturgell about the controversial comments, concerned they discourage reporting of safety problems and could potentially fuel labor unrest. Many controllers have already left the agency, which is at its lowest level of fully-certified controllers in 15 years.

Controllers at Philadelphia International Airport had recently voiced concerns over the safety of the new departure headings, which have caused confusion among some pilots and controllers. Controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport have voiced similar concerns with the new procedures.

Peters and Sturgell found themselves backing away from statement at today’s hearing. Peters indicated she regretted the comment, acknowledging the inappropriateness of the comments and calling them “unfortunate.” Sturgell also told Lautenberg he found the remarks “unfortunate.”

The safety concerns discussed today center on a decision by the FAA to redesign flight paths over the New Jersey region. In September 2007, the FAA began to implement a proposal that would force more than 300,000 in the New Jersey region to live with more air noise in their communities and homes, including residents in northern Bergen County, Gloucester County, Essex County and Union County. The FAA’s plan is to redesign the New York-New Jersey-Philadelphia airspace by widening the airport approach and departure areas over New Jersey.

Source: Senator Frank Lautenberg