Say, maybe some of you might be interested in a career as a controller? It's a great profession. Not exactly like "those who flunk out of police academy go get jobs as a security guard at Walmart."

From KING5:

SEATAC, Wash. – Sea-Tac Airport says it's never been busier and more flights are coming. That has air traffic controllers raising concerns, especially as the number of experienced controllers is tailing off.

The airport says last year was the busiest on record -- 30 million passengers. This year will see more traffic and even new airlines including Virgin America, Lufthansa and Hainan Airlines from China. Jet Blue and Northwest are also adding some flights. It's an expected 3.5 percent increase over last summer, according to the airport.

One thing that concerns air traffic controllers is just how busy it's going to get once the third runway is open for business this November.

"It gives us more complexity," said Isabel Cole, air traffic controller and union representative in the Sea-Tac tower. The tower is supposed to get three more controllers. But, Cole says they have new controllers still in training while nine will be eligible to retire.

"So on November 20 when the runway opens, I'm not sure exactly what we're going to do," said Cole.

It's an issue the air traffic controllers say is a problem throughout the country, and one that has had it at odds with the Federal Aviation Administration for years.

"What NATCA is saying, is that people are walking out the door as soon as they're ready for retirement and that's just not true. That may be happening to some people, but it's very rare. Most of the people do not retire as soon as their eligible," said Dave Adams, the FAA's acting district manager for Seattle.

The FAA says there will be enough qualified controllers to handle traffic both this summer and after the third runway starts landing planes, with 11 new hires coming in this year. But the controllers union says it's also worried about safety in the future at other control facilities as well.

Tensions have remained high, ever since the FAA and the controllers union failed to reach an agreement on a new contract in 2006, and the government's last contract offer was imposed.

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stori...P.c0545aa.html

 

Instead of Walmart, you mean the TSA right?

 

No, those are the people who get fired from Walmart for being rude to customers.

 

If you'd like to make AT LEAST 1/3 less than me for your whole career, then by all means, sign up for the job. Oh, and we've been without a contract for 18+ months. You'll probably get assigned all the overtime you want and then some. 2 hours on position is the norm. But that's okay, because you won't mind working for a gov't agency that ranked 204th out of 222 agencies in employee satisfaction.

 

Do you happen to know Skyhigh? You should talk to him one day. I think you'd make good friends