Planes wait while controller takes potty break (CNN, April 12)
The public standoff continues between air traffic controllers and the FAA—the media is now focusing on a report that two airliners had to circle for 18 minutes on Friday while the lone Manchester, New Hampshire air traffic controller took a 12 minute bathroom break. The union cites the incident as evidence that air traffic control facilities remain understaffed. "There should never be one person in the tower, because it's not safe," said Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "It's just added proof that the system is stretched to its limits, and these are the type of things that are happening." An FAA spokesman said staffing was sufficient. The union says controllers are often forced to work overtime, contributing to fatigue, which results in safety lapses.
http://tinyurl.com/3exgjx
The public standoff continues between air traffic controllers and the FAA—the media is now focusing on a report that two airliners had to circle for 18 minutes on Friday while the lone Manchester, New Hampshire air traffic controller took a 12 minute bathroom break. The union cites the incident as evidence that air traffic control facilities remain understaffed. "There should never be one person in the tower, because it's not safe," said Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "It's just added proof that the system is stretched to its limits, and these are the type of things that are happening." An FAA spokesman said staffing was sufficient. The union says controllers are often forced to work overtime, contributing to fatigue, which results in safety lapses.
http://tinyurl.com/3exgjx
:bawling: 
