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ATC having to work 6D, 10H schedules

Controller shortage, many are having to work mandatory overtime at 6 days per week, 10 hours per day:

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...ource=hs_email

Ala Rich Little, "This is the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center. You have reached us after hours, and there is no one to handle your flight right now, but if you'll leave your name, flight number, altitude, and last known heading at the sound of the beep, we'll get back to you."

“Your call is valuable to us. Estimated wait time is 30 minutes, if you have reached us after hours, know we are closed and will get back with you after we reopen, at 8 am tomorrow. Please hold…please hold…please hold.”

Didn't they make significant cuts to the payscale pension a few years ago?

So now they have trouble finding people to work odd shifts, not do drugs, and retire at 56?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 3700975)

Didn't they make significant cuts to the payscale pension a few years ago?

So now they have trouble finding people to work odd shifts, not do drugs, and retire at 56?

A few years ago? It’s been a little longer than that. But yeah, if you started out back in 1983 or earlier it was a much better deal.

Quote:

CSRS and FERS » Air Traffic Controller Retirement Benefits Computation

Air Traffic Controller Retirement Benefits Computation

CSRS/CSRS Offset

Under CSRS/CSRS Offset, after 20 years of controller service, there is a guaranteed retirement benefit which is 50 percent of high-3 average pay. For any air traffic controller retiring after 25 years, it works out to earning 2 percent per year. After 27 years, the guarantee provides no more than the regular formula would have. Other than the guaranteed benefit and mandatory retirement, there are no special CSRS rules for controllers. However, there is no reduction for being under age 55 at retirement, a provision that rarely is a consideration now since CSRS was closed to new entrants after 1983.

FERS

Although FERS has the same rules as CSRS for when a controller can retire, FERS doesn’t have a guaranteed benefit. Instead, it provides the same special benefits that are provided to law enforcement and firefighting personnel.

This is the formula:

1.7% of high-3 average pay multiplied by 20 years of service
plus 1% of high-3 average pay multiplied by any years of service above 20

Some FERS controllers are eligible to retire under either of two sections of the law governing retirement of individuals with qualifying service as an ATC. One is under 5 USC 8412(e), which is the regular ATC calculation listed above; the other is under 5 USC 8412(a), which OPM refers to as ATC MRA+30. If a retiring employee is eligible under both, OPM will offer the choice between these two calculations along with an explanation of how each would be calculated and the individual will make the election within 30 days of receipt of the letter. Once the retirement has been finalized, the election becomes irrevocable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excargodog (Post 3701039)

A few years ago? It’s been a little longer than that. But yeah, if you started out back in 1983 or earlier it was a much better deal.

I'm pretty sure the pay was cut this century, B scale basically?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirBear (Post 3698991)

Controller shortage, many are having to work mandatory overtime at 6 days per week, 10 hours per day:

NATCA Union President Rich Santa is to blame for this. The guy has done absolutely NOTHING to curtail these issues. You're essentially scheduled 10 hour / 6 day workweeks at most facilities. Controllers aren't staying until their MRA of 56, they're retiring soon after they're eligible. Traffic has increased steadily and they're burnt out with no incentive to stay.

Others in the industry are getting +40% raises while controller pay has stagnated, getting a whopping 1.6% pay raise in the summer. This along with the measly Presidential yearly raise in January has not helped with inflation at all. Santa's answer to this: work more overtime and you'll make more money! WTF

The union can easily get its membership increases in soft pay and incentives. However, clueless Rich Santa has done nothing to help the situation. He has politicized his position, and this was obvious during covid when he was on the side of the administration to get every controller vaccinated, whether they wanted to or not. He's been too cozy with the current administration, and will lose his relection as he'll get beat by Mick Devine who's running against him.

Anyone remember the PATCO ungluing?

I do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBurke (Post 3698998)

Weren't pilots landing in LAX a few years ago after hours because the controllers fell asleep?

Everything is going swimmingly.

I landed in Boise a few years ago after one missed approach, no clearance, controller fell asleep.

On several occasions I landed in Saudi Arabia in various locations when the controller fell asleep; I found him asleep in the tower cab, and a few times he'd left the cab from the time we were cleared for the approach, to go do prayers. Just never came back, while aircraft were flying an arc on opposite sides of the localizer, simultaneously, both cleared. We coordinated it between ourselves.

It happens.