By Associated Press
Washington, DC – The air traffic controllers union says experienced controllers have been leaving and operational errors increasing at key traffic control centers since the Federal Aviation Administration imposed a new contract on Labor Day 2006.
Airport towers handle landings and takeoffs; Terminal Radar Approach Control or TRACONs handle planes below 15,000 feet and within 40 miles of airports; en route centers control planes at higher altitudes between airports.
The union's description of some control centers with errors includes two Alabama airports -- Birmingham and Huntsville.
The Birmingham tower had six errors this year, including two that occurred during training, compared with an error-free record in three of the last five years.
The Huntsville tower has had five errors this year, compared to only five over the previous 10 years. It has 13 experienced controllers and 8 trainees, including three not certified to work alone on any position in the tower.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)