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.