Larry Dighera
July 16th 07, 04:31 PM
It's one thing for ATC to issue instructions for the safe operation of
aircraft without suffering exposure to the risk of any lethal
consequences for misdirecting air traffic, but to then blame pilots
for ATC operational errors reveals a cavalier hubris beyond belief:
DFW FUDGING ATC OPERATIONAL ERROR RATES?
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/908-full.html#195619)
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) late last week directed
DOT Secretary Mary Peters to investigate allegations by air
traffic controllers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
that management has covered up ATC operational errors at the
facility. According to the OSC, air traffic controller Anne
Whiteman told the special counsel in 2004 that managers at the DFW
TRACON routinely covered up operational errors by not properly
investigating and reporting them as required by FAA policy. Making
it even worse, Whiteman said she was reprimanded by her managers
and harassed by coworkers because of the disclosure. In February
2005, the DOT Inspector General reported that her whistleblowing
had resulted in the exposure of a seven-year management practice
of underreporting operational errors. The report noted that FAA
officials considered the underreporting to be very serious and had
begun corrective actions. In recent disclosures made by Whiteman
and an unidentified whistleblower alleged that FAA personnel at
DFW are routinely identifying operational errors as pilot
errors. The FAA maintains that all controller errors are being
correctly reported and said its inspectors recently visited the
airport. In some cases, the whistleblowers say that managers have
improperly interpreted FAA orders and directives to cover up
operational errors.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/908-full.html#195619
aircraft without suffering exposure to the risk of any lethal
consequences for misdirecting air traffic, but to then blame pilots
for ATC operational errors reveals a cavalier hubris beyond belief:
DFW FUDGING ATC OPERATIONAL ERROR RATES?
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/908-full.html#195619)
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) late last week directed
DOT Secretary Mary Peters to investigate allegations by air
traffic controllers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
that management has covered up ATC operational errors at the
facility. According to the OSC, air traffic controller Anne
Whiteman told the special counsel in 2004 that managers at the DFW
TRACON routinely covered up operational errors by not properly
investigating and reporting them as required by FAA policy. Making
it even worse, Whiteman said she was reprimanded by her managers
and harassed by coworkers because of the disclosure. In February
2005, the DOT Inspector General reported that her whistleblowing
had resulted in the exposure of a seven-year management practice
of underreporting operational errors. The report noted that FAA
officials considered the underreporting to be very serious and had
begun corrective actions. In recent disclosures made by Whiteman
and an unidentified whistleblower alleged that FAA personnel at
DFW are routinely identifying operational errors as pilot
errors. The FAA maintains that all controller errors are being
correctly reported and said its inspectors recently visited the
airport. In some cases, the whistleblowers say that managers have
improperly interpreted FAA orders and directives to cover up
operational errors.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/908-full.html#195619