They need to clean house in the FAA

[LiberalFighter]

ABC news just reported the $5 million spent for a series of 3 1 week converences.

[MichiganVote]

1. I can't fucking believe that our taxes are paying for these bozo's to drink on our dime.

Time for housecleaning in that outfit pronto. As if we don't have enough problems.

Totally disgusted.

[MercutioATC]

5. It WAS a complete waste of taxpayer money, but I'd like to clarify two things:

1) What was shown was an after-training party.

2) It was a cash bar.


Other than that, you're absolutely right.

[MichiganVote]

7. They were flown into one area only for training that could have been provided

via video conferencing, in regional areas (bars do exist all over the country) or that could have been provided by personnel who flew to THEM, rather than the other way round.

Nah...if this were the education dept. or educators they'd be dead. 3600 managers flown to one location that just happens to have a cash bar...please. Its bullshit.

[MercutioATC]

8. I'm agreeing with you.

The facts are damning enough without inaccuracies.

[FLyellowdog]

2. They got this SOOOOOOO wrong!

What was filmed was a short gathering on one night to meet the FAA's new Chief Operating Officer and his staff in a effort to talk with those who are calling the shots. (This was not a SCHEDULED (nor ADVERTISED AS) a Christmas party. If this report was orchestrated by the wrong perception of some union rep., it is itself ironic because the REST of the week was devoted to training the managers that they would understand how to implement the changes in the new FAA contract which for the most part are to the benefit of the controllers.

I know this because my husband was in attendance at that weeklong training....he missed our 42nd wedding anniversary for this mandatory training, just as he has missed dozens of Thanksgivings,Christmases, New Years and children's birthdays because they all work shift work and the planes fly, day and night, holiday or no holiday.

Don't be so quick to jump on these government employees. We have the safest air traffic control system in the world, and it's a job that most people wouldn't want to do and probably couldn't do even they tried.

[LiberalFighter]

3. As was also pointed out they could had done this via video conference

or even just used a powerpoint presentation.

Another method not suggested would had been to regionalize the presentation. Especially considering that they had 3 separate groups with each group brought in on a different week.

[FLyellowdog]

4. It's my understanding

that management is supposed to be more union friendly and so it was decided that face to face and up close/personal was the best way to convince them to change their ways after the Bush years of anti-union behavior. Presenters were really serious about the mood and temperment of the managers. Change isn't easy...even the higher ups were told to straighten up and fly right (isn't that punny?). :hi:

[LiberalFighter]

6. They still could had accomplished by doing it region to region at reduced cost.

$5 million is way too much.