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AOPA and ATC Privatization
My AOPA membership comes up for yearly renewal at the end of September.
Today, I got a membership renewal request via email from the organization. Here is my response: Dear AOPA, The question arises. Why should an FAA enroute air traffic controller who is neither a pilot nor an aircraft owner continue to financially support AOPA? AOPA has publicly accused my labor organization (NATCA) of misleading other AOPA members concerning the looming Congressional action on ATC privatization. AOPA has been running the following quotes on the AOPA website: "AOPA members are asking about TV ads claiming that Congress is about to privatize air traffic control. Others have been asked to sign post cards misrepresenting both AOPA's position and what Congress has done. Both the ads and the cards are the efforts of labor unions. And both are bending the truth." NATCA is not misleading the flying public on this issue. NATCA factually reports that the Congress is about to authorize ATC privatization by allowing the FAA to offer 69 FAA air traffic control towers to the lowest private sector bidder. Some of these towers are among the busiest towers in the nation. The pending FAA reauthorization bill's language is clear and not subject to misinterpretation or wishful thinking. It will authorize the FAA to contract out ATC services to the lowest bidder. Further, after the year 2007, all FAA air traffic services will be on the table for possible out sourcing. Privatization is privatization. There is no bending of the truth involved. "Make no mistake. AOPA is adamantly opposed to any effort to privatize air traffic control or charge user fees for safety services," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We have fought, and will continue to fight, attempts to take the responsibility for aircraft separation and control away from the federal government " and "If anybody tries to tell you that AOPA supports privatizing ATC, you tell them that's a damned lie," Boyer said. "AOPA is dedicated to the benefit of all general aviation, particularly GA pilots. It's a much broader vision than that of a union leader." What a bunch of hot air! That AOPA can swallow the rest of the current FAA reauthorization bill before the Congress in spite of the clear language authorizing ATC privatization seems to point to one of two things. Either AOPA is extremely short sighted or else AOPA is bending the truth herself on this issue. National ATC privatization is a clear threat to general aviation interests, yet AOPA seems willing to allow such privatization to begin, piece by piece, tower by tower, because the "rest of the bill" is beneficial to GA. Not with my money... I will gladly renew my AOPA dues if you can convince me that AOPA is on the right side of the current ATC privatization issue. Chip Jones AOPA 04557674 Atlanta ARTCC For even money, I'll betcha they don't even answer me... |
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