Today, the American Consumer Institute (ACI) launched the microsite “Fight Flight Delays” to draw attention to a proposal by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to scrap its current air traffic controller training program – the Air Traffic Controller Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS) – and replace it with a new, untested program.
This is an unnecessary choice that will delay the training of air traffic controllers and ultimately could result in a shortage of air traffic controllers, increased flight delays and cancelations, and additional air travel costs and risks for consumers. It would take significant time to implement a new program and may require new training personnel, procedures and processes. Further, the FAA’s recent decision to select “off-the-street” hires instead of qualified graduates from certified flight schools and military veterans with experience will impose additional costs and delays on consumers, as well as risk passenger safety.
ACI urges readers and supporters to contact their congressional representative through the microsite and urge them to exercise congressional oversight of the FAA and force it to fix its internal mismanagement practices that have plagued its handling of the current training program.
For more information, visit Fight Flight Delays at http://fightflightdelays.org/ and write your lawmaker at http://fightflightdelays.org/contact-congress/.