For Zaphod

a reply to: cosmania

That's why I say short term, this is a Bad Thing. The set up on this is going to be horrendous and the chance of them losing out short term is going to be high.

Funny how nobody mentions the Airport Improvement Program. It is a tax placed on aircraft fuel and airline passengers. It was meant to be used to fund improvements to the Nation's airports and Air Traffic Control systems. It wasn't used because there were too many arguments on how it should be used.

Does anybody remember the "Clinton Budget Surplus"? There was never any surplus. An executive order from Clinton did away with money being held in specific accounts and dumped it all into the General Fund. So for a few years there was more money in the General Fund than was being spent.

The money to pay for this was there, it was just spent on something else with an IOU left in its place.

a reply to: JIMC5499

That's one of the problems. Every time there's extra money, it'll be used for something else. The FAA hasn't had a solid budget in years, and there's no sign of that changing.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: auroraaus

There are pitfalls to anything. As it stands now, they've been trying to modernize for 20+ years, and have gotten a fraction of the system done, because they can't get the budget for it through congress.

Because they need the money for defense. Thats why the power grid, water systems, bridges and roadways are falling behind too. The damn that almost broke in Ca is one prime example.

Putting it 'in the private sector' won't fix it any sooner either. Its a balance of profits against passenger peril.

Private company mission = do MORE with LESS to maximize PROFIT. Not safety. Profit.

Do we REALLY want to put PROFIT over PEOPLE?

a reply to: DanteGaland

That's why you leave the FAA in oversight positions, instead of being responsible for it. The FAA is still going to be responsible for it, but no longer responsible for paying for it.

Air traffic control in other countries has been privatized for years, without seeing a major decrease in safety like you're talking about.

a reply to: Zaphod58

So we STILL have to hire FEDS? Isn't this going to cost MORE? Hire contractors. Hire FEDS anyway to watch contractors...Why not just hire FEDS and give them enough $$$?

a reply to: DanteGaland

They already have the FAA personnel. The FAA currently supplies all the personnel for ATC operations. All the controllers, the supervisors, and everyone else is an FAA employee.

The problem is that they won't give the FAA enough money to modernize the system. They keep passing a Continuing Resolution instead of an actual budget, so they have to pass separate authorizations to update the system. So far they've done a fraction of what they planned on doing 20 years ago.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Sounds like a political ISSUE...

originally posted by: Mikehawk
a reply to: Wildmanimal

Who is Zaphod?

Vell, Zaphod's just zis guy, you know?

a reply to: DanteGaland

It is. And privatizing makes it no longer possible to be a political issue, while keeping it under FAA supervision.

a reply to: Misterlondon

Hoo Haa,
that is hilarious!

Thanks for the chuckle.

a reply to: Mikehawk

Look over your shoulder,
he'll be there.

For sure.

a reply to: auroraaus

Hear here.
Cheers to you!

a reply to: seagull

Thanks for the approval.
Best to you,

a reply to: Zaphod58

So because Congress wont dedicate the budget needed, we should privatize?

a reply to: Zaphod58

Best Regards.
Credit to you, where credit is due.
I'm gonna have to skimp you in the
man crush though.
HooHaa.

a reply to: Zaphod58

What about the equipment utilized in air navigation. Specifically ATSS who certify the systems utilized by ATC. Would you trust that to a contractor?

a reply to: ownbestenemy1

So because Congress won't approve the budget, we should wait until the entire ATC system crashes and burns, and we can't do anything?

a reply to: ownbestenemy1

You mean like all the systems that are already built and installed by contractors? And maintained by contractors?