FAA, union at odds on automated air traffic control system

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jan 20, 2006 | by Jonathan Jones, STAFF WRITER

FREMONT -- The National Air Traffic Controllers Association wrangled this week with the Federal Aviation Administration over problems with a new automated system at the Bay Area's traffic control center that allows air traffic controllers to manage flights over the Pacific Ocean.

The $548 million system, known as the Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures and installed in October, is designed to provide safe separation of aircraft areas over the ocean beyond radar coverage or direct radio communication, according to the FAA.

But problems in the new automated system are limiting the ability of air traffic controllers to safely handle requests from aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean by requiring more manual operation, according to Scott Conde, a controller and vice president of the local union at the Oakland Air Traffic Controllers Association Oakland Center.

"We have tried several times over the past 31/2 months to get the FAA to address these problems, and they have refused at every turn," Conde said. "We need the system fixed, and we need the fixes now."

The new system detects conflicts between aircraft in areas over the ocean beyond radar detection and provides satellite data link communication and position information.

But the problems have led to three separate incidents that the FAA categorizes as errors, including one when airplanes passed too close to each other, Conde said.

Greg Martin, chief spokesman for the FAA, said the errors occurred because air traffic controllers "failed to do their job properly," and none of the aircraft involved was even remotely at risk of a collision.

He said Conde's allegations were motivated by current negotiations between the union and management over a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We're in very contentious discussions with the union over pay and staffing and work rules," Martin said. "These types of allegations are very predictable during contract negotiations."

Martin acknowledged there were some "minor" technical issues, saying the FAA would fix those problems in time.

"None of the problems posed an imminent threat to safety," he said. "Our record speaks for itself. It's better than it's ever been."

Conde said labor negotiations played no role "whatsoever" in his decision to go public with the allegations. He said air traffic controllers believe there are at least 150 "serious problems" in urgent need of being addressed.

"This system will be the best oceanic traffic control system when it's finished," Conde said.

"But we need to have the remaining problems fixed both in New York and Oakland before progressing on to other projects. You can't pat yourself on the back and say 'good job' until you fix those problems."