Privatizing ATC

[FlyinBrian]

2) Labor / management in contract negotiation that could lead to a controller walkout. Empty radar rooms, cancelled flights, loss of Billions to the airline industry...nuff said.

Isn't that the point of a strike? Nobody around here seems to mind when it's a pilot strike.

 

[skydiverdriver]

You think that a pilot strike and a strike by controllers are the same thing? What if our Air Force decided to go on strike? Strikes by federal workers are illegal, and a threat to national security. Pilot strikes are not illegal. I don't see how you can relate the two.

 

[Timebuilder]

True, Brian. An airline stike affects the struck airline and it's customers. An ATC strike would affect ALL flying, including people who are not direct parties to the negotiation. In addition, national security would be compromised.

Those issues would be problems for me.

 

[Ned]

What is wrong with ATC?

Why do we need to change it? What is going to be better about a system that is private? In the last 5+ years and 700 hours I've flown I have had no problems with the system. I always get a weather briefer, I get accurate weather 99% of the time. My flight plans are always waiting at the tower if I'm IFR. Maybe once in 5 years I have been denied flight following by ATC when VFR. Sure I've encountered a few bone head controllers but thats not going away with a private system. So what is it that we gain by going private?

 

[Timebuilder]

What's to be gained? Nothing.

 

[Ned]

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2066948

Ok, it's not really about planes but I believe it's analogous to the ATC issue.

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2066948

 

[huskerfan]

I think privatization is a great idea. ATC is privatized in Canada. Navcanada does a great job. It is run as a not for profit company. hey seem to be far more efficient that the previous sytem. True we do have landing fees at most large airports, that is one downfall.

 

[Redneck]

This article by Rick Durden has some good points in it-

How Many Are Going To Die, Mr. President?