Some perspective from a current ATCer:
Privatization is a horrible idea. For those that like to tout the Canadian model as one we can emulate here in the US, just remember; no other country has the volume of traffic nor the complexity of airspace that the United States has. For example, in 2014, ATL did more aircraft operations than YYZ and CDG combined. New York is THE single most congested and complex airspace in the world. Having actually read the bill (H.R. 4441), it baffles me as to why NATCA supported this. It allows the airlines to essentially take complete control of the air traffic system. The make-up of the board of directors was an 11-member board, of which 5 were airline representatives, one Chairman of the Board, and a Secretary of Transportation. Assuming the latter two came from the airline industry, they have the potential of up to 7 seats at the table. This has the potential of completely destroying GA, and puts ATC in a position to kowtow to the airlines demands. Meanwhile, NBAA has two seats, and AOPA and NATCA each with one. Seems like a very lopsided makeup if you ask me.
Regarding the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program, you already see what will happen if the entire system is privatized. Many contract towers are busier than FAA towers, but they are essentially operating with a skeleton crew. The typical makeup of FCT personnel is maybe one opener at 6 am, another in the late morning maybe around 9 or 10 am, an afternoon at 12 or 1 and maybe a closer at 2 or 3. That's it. Do you really want a tower that does 160,000 ops/ year only being manned by 4 people? It is difficult to get vacation and if they take one sick hit, the whole facility suffers. Contract controllers are overworked and underpaid. The only appear as safe because in many cases, incidents are not being reported to management or the FAA. NATCA has recently rolled out the AT-SAP program to the FCT's, so we may see issues start to come to the surface, but until we know, in many cases, more incidents occur at FCTs (See the midair at SDM last year as an example of the staffing situation).
The scariest part of the bill is that it allows this "Corporation" to consolidate and close facilities as they see fit to meet the needs. No where does it lay out any sort of protections or guarantees for the controllers who are unwillingly displaced or suddenly find themselves in the unemployment line.
The bill is not at all clear how this new system will be funded. User fees are outlined, but there are a number of exceptions. I believe one of them was saying that any aircraft flying under a callsign would be charged a fee, but GA aircraft would not. Granted I could be wrong on the wording, as I do not have the bill in front of me, but what is stopping American or United from finding a loophole and filing under a November callsign to get around the charges? If that's the case, how much money will really be going to the Corporation?
Air Traffic Control is a perfect example of how effective a government service can work if you allow it to. We don't need to latest technology to do our jobs. We've been doing it safely for 70+ years. We take pride in our jobs. Leave it alone.
