FAA corrects LaHood on Controller firing

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday corrected Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who the dismissal of two air traffic controllers during an interview news announced Wednesday, but gave the wrong reason for one of their dismissal.


 


With the Federal Aviation Administration under strict control after a series of accidents, LaHood told PBS that had two air traffic controllers--one in Tennessee--and one in Miami fired. So far so good.


 


He explained that the controller in Miami had fired for the guidance of a 737 Southwest flight to look at a small airplane that radio contact to determine if there was something was wrong.


 


"Completely violates procedures," he said. "You cannot lead a large plane to look at a small plane. That's not the way this is done. "


But the controller is not incompetent, but for sleeping on the job was fired.


LaHood was correct that the Tennessee controller was fired for making a bed in the control tower, including pillows and blankets.


"We're not going to sit by and let that kind of behavior occur in control towers," he said.


The two firings were two of the five cases where sleeping controllers that have gained notoreity this year.


 


In a separate embarrassment, was a controller caught watching a DVD movie on his post. Controller was suspended. In total, the FAA eight controllers and regulators suspended since the end of March.


 


But the civilian air traffic controller that allowed first lady Michelle Obama of Boeing 737 to get too close to a 200-ton military cargo jet on Monday will not be punished. Military air traffic controllers at Andrews Air Force Base was Obama of breaking a landing airplane for fear that the military jet would not have enough time to clear the runway.


 


The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. LaHood told PBS that the first lady was never in danger, the US aviation system the safest in the world, but it should perform better.


 


"So, I'd say that flying is safe, but we must do more, and we do more, and we will continue to do more until we make sure that domain controllers take personal responsibility for the main security jobs that they have" he said. "We do a top-to-bottom review of procedures, workplace procedures and other things".


 


The FAA issued new air traffic rules for flights with Mrs. Obama or the vice President. An air traffic supervisor instead of a controller processes these flights, the Agency said. A supervisor treats all flights with the President.


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