Question for Newps or McNicholl or other ATC Pro

Hi,

Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC personnel
are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes towers,
centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that talk to us
pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

Thanks,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer and Photographer

Casey Wilson wrote:
Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC personnel
are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes towers,
centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that talk to us
pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

The FAA puts the controller workforce at 17,070 for FY '04.
The "bargaining unit" count is 14,736 (agrees with NATCA's
web page which says 15,000), so I suspect this number is probably
closer to what you are looking for.

Wow .. that's a lot. Do they need that many? That's our tax money. Don't
we have to pay them all retirement then?


"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
m...
Casey Wilson wrote:
Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC
personnel are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes
towers, centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that
talk to us pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

The FAA puts the controller workforce at 17,070 for FY '04.
The "bargaining unit" count is 14,736 (agrees with NATCA's
web page which says 15,000), so I suspect this number is probably
closer to what you are looking for.

Why don't you call ORD tower or Chicago Center and ask them if they need
that many.


"Budget_Dude" wrote in message
...
Wow .. that's a lot. Do they need that many? That's our tax money. Don't
we have to pay them all retirement then?


"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
m...
Casey Wilson wrote:
Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC
personnel are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that
includes
towers, centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that
talk to us pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

The FAA puts the controller workforce at 17,070 for FY '04.
The "bargaining unit" count is 14,736 (agrees with NATCA's
web page which says 15,000), so I suspect this number is probably
closer to what you are looking for.

"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...

Why don't you call ORD tower or Chicago Center and ask them if they need
that many.


They'll probably tell you they're short, and they're most likely right.
High traffic facilities tend to be understaffed and low traffic facilities
tend to be overstaffed in the FAA.

Y'all have a plane or two come through your shop everyday, don't you?


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
link.net...

"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...

Why don't you call ORD tower or Chicago Center and ask them if they need
that many.


They'll probably tell you they're short, and they're most likely right.
High traffic facilities tend to be understaffed and low traffic facilities
tend to be overstaffed in the FAA.

Budget_Dude wrote:

Wow .. that's a lot. Do they need that many?

No, but the government has hamstrung itself with antiquated personnel
rules. I cannot be moved to fill positions at other facilities.


That's our tax money. Don't
we have to pay them all retirement then?

Of course.

Casey Wilson wrote:
Hi,

Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC personnel
are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes towers,
centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that talk to us
pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

By the way, it only took about 30 seconds of poking at the FAA web page
to give up the answer I posted.

http://www.ama500.jccbi.gov/site/lib...2004/nov04.pdf

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
m...
Casey Wilson wrote:
Hi,

Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC
personnel are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes
towers, centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that
talk to us pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

By the way, it only took about 30 seconds of poking at the FAA web page
to give up the answer I posted.

http://www.ama500.jccbi.gov/site/lib...2004/nov04.pdf

Thanks Ron, I guess I must have been poking in the wrong corners

The implication is that, considering three equally manned shifts, more than
5,000 controllers are watching the skies over the United States for us at
any given time. Impressive.

"Casey Wilson" wrote in message
news:Km8ld.619$h15.266@trnddc07...

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
m...
Casey Wilson wrote:
Hi,

Can you tell me or point me to a reference for how many ATC
personnel are on the active rolls? I'm hoping for a number that includes
towers, centers, and approach and departure -- the boys and girls that
talk to us pilots, admin and beauracracy excluded.

By the way, it only took about 30 seconds of poking at the FAA web page
to give up the answer I posted.

http://www.ama500.jccbi.gov/site/lib...2004/nov04.pdf

Thanks Ron, I guess I must have been poking in the wrong corners

The implication is that, considering three equally manned shifts, more
than 5,000 controllers are watching the skies over the United States for
us at any given time. Impressive.

But, of course, there aren't three equally manned shifts. Many towers and
TRACONs are closed at night, the airports become uncontrolled and the
airspace is assumed by the overlying ARTCC. ARTCCs combine sectors so that
one or two controllers handle the functions of a dozen or so during peak
hours.