Understanding you can act on
 | |||
| Follow us... | |||
 |  | ||
| Published: | 2016-Apr-08 |
| Last Updated: | 2016-Apr-19 |
| Principal Writer: | Barry Shatzman |
 | Understanding The Issue |
| Issue Status |
 | Our Analysis and Actions |
| What You Can Do |
Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act
2016 (HR-4441)
FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act2016 (HR-636)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Lobby99 is a nonprofit that depends on the support of our readers.
If you found this useful, could we ask you to chip in a dollar or three to help us provide even more like this? Thanks!
It's secure and takes under a minute.
Privatizing air traffic control won't solve a nonexistant problem
We can see no benefit to moving control of the nation's air traffic from a federal agency to a corporation essentially run by the major airlines.
The system already is being run at a cost that is more efficient than other countries' systems, with a safety record that is just as good.
Depending on whose analysis you read, privatization would either increase the cost of a plane ticket, or taxpayers pay would need to make up the difference in related functions that would remain with the FAA. One thing is certain... if you break up the functions by creating a non-government corporation you lose the flexibility to tune the financial structure in the way that benefits people the most.
The problem most stated by those who favor privatization is that it would free air traffic control of congressional whims. There are examples of this... such as in 2011 when Congress allowed the government to shut down for weeks because it did not appropriate money to pay for anything, and the 2013 sequester. The argument they state for privatization is that it would protect the air traffic control function from their own irresponsibility.
The way we see it, if a representative argues that he can't be trusted to do what's necessary to represent the best interests of his constituents, his constituents should consider voting for someone who can be trusted to represent those interests better.
Besides, privatization won't even accomplish that stated objective. If air travel shrinks because the fees charged are too high, or if the fees are too low to pay for air traffic control operations, are you willing to risk a reduced air traffic control system? The only other practical solution would be support from the government (i.e. public money). Not only would that once again subject funding to the whims of Congress, but you would be paying for a system that now would have less consumer representation.
There simply is nothing this can accomplish that can't be accomplished simply with legitimate representation.
Click here to continue to the next section of this issue...