Air traffic controllers have been using outdated equipment for decades. Some Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA) facilities are over 50 years old. The Government Accountability Office reported 51 of 138 air traffic control systems are unsustainable due to age and outdated functionality.
Equipment upgrades have been delayed for at least a decade. Modernization plans are finally underway. The current radar system is a 1960s design which was upgraded in the 1990s. The communication systems date back to the 1970s and 1980s. The upgrades include Enroute Automation Modernization (ERAM), cloud-based radar tracking. Datacom, digital pilot controller communications and ADS-B, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, which is precise GPS tracking. The anticipated completion of these updates will not likely be until 2030 with an anticipated budget of $7.2 billion and growing.
In the meantime, American travelers are suffering long layovers and abrupt flight cancellations. Worse, flying has become more dangerous. While it is still touted as the safest form of transportation by the airlines, it doesn’t feel quite as safe to some of us.
On top of aging, outdated equipment, we have a big shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA
is 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing. The shortage causes flight delays and forces many controllers to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. The reasons behind these shortages are several – the rapid return to air travel after COVID-19, pre-pandemic hiring freezes and layoffs, retirement of experienced controllers and the challenges in training new controllers.
To address this problem, the U.S. Transportation Department is offering incentives to recruit and retain controllers. Air traffic controllers can make $140,000 to over $200,000 a year.
Another problem is that our National Weather Service is understaffed especially ahead of hurricane season starting June 1. Specifically, 30 out of 122 weather forecast offices lack chief meteorologists. This shortage is concerning given the increasing frequency of billion-dollar disasters; 27 occurred just last year. Officials have warned this could compromise disaster response. The shortages are due to massive retirement numbers. At least 25 percent have retired from the workforce in the last five years. The starting salary is in the low $40,000 range. The hiring process takes about 300 days and higher education requirements are needed for the job. There is a high burnout rate because the job is very stressful with long hours especially during severe weather events.
Another problem across American is our water. Many American communities have outdated water systems. These aging systems pose serious health and environmental risks especially in rural areas where populations are declining and funds are scarce.
The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the U.S. drinking water infrastructure a grade of D minus for over a decade due to its deteriorating condition.
In the last five years America has spent around $370 billion on foreign aid. A big chunk of this went to Ukraine.
America has worked hard. We deserve to have current, up-to-date aviation systems, accurate up-to-date weather reporting and clean drinking water. Let’s please use some of this $370 billion to fix things at home.
— Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. He may be emailed at gmollette@aol.com.
