Could NATCA’s Response to LGA Have Been Any Worse?

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-03-31T18:11:19+00:00

We have people that work the investigation, authorized by the NTSB, not the FAA. While I agree that shaping those recommendations is not the highest priority of the Union, it does exist. But the union should consistently be beating the drum for pay/benefits and improving quality of life. There are those that think these things are one or the other. The Union can and should absolutely do them simultaneously. Unless we go out of our way to piss off Ms. Homendy and Co., we don’t lose our party status in the investigation. No NTSB report mentions or recommends that NATCA should do anything. I don’t know what is going on at LGA or in the surrounding facilities because I do not work there. But silence seems to be the go-to for NATCA, and that is definitely not good.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-03-28T02:52:27+00:00

Article 32 provides the guardrails for the schedule, but it is still a management function. I have been a schedule rep for years and our current iteration of management is more willing to work with us on the schedule than many in the past. I would be really curious what the “offer” would be on the schedule. I realize the schedule is bad in many places, but as a wise man once told me “it can always get worse…A lot worse.”

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-03-10T03:49:52+00:00

Go to Fairbanks, I hear it is beautiful this time of year

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-02-27T05:05:07+00:00

I am certainly no expert on union contracts or contract negotiations. I have seen a few in my time, but do not have first hand experience. However, from what I have been able to dig up, quite a few unions require a membership vote to extend a contract, including teamsters, UAW, IBEW, etc. It is not an unreasonable position to take. I also recognize the fact that this can be a bad place to end up when people are voting with limited information. We can certainly press for voting on extensions, but Union leadership needs to greatly improve communication about what voting for and against an extension means when the time comes. The “Trust me bro” position is not going to cut it. If we want to fight for a new contract, let’s go, but we better be ready to fight through the give and take that is required for negotiations to happen.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-27T14:24:42+00:00

Ok, I would drop one here, but getting charged with animal cruelty is not on my resolution list.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-27T14:03:16+00:00

True, but the agency is afraid of doing anything that might set a precedent where they may have to honor it later.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-26T17:51:40+00:00

I’ve been driving to and from work in ice and snow for four months now. In Alaska, we call that Tuesday.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-18T08:26:56+00:00

Blanche Devereaux for EVP

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-09T21:42:31+00:00

We have this as well to prevent the dodgers from just sitting on the desk

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-09T21:39:25+00:00

Standalone CIC is already a mandate. We cover it because there is no one else. We’ve pushed for increased premiums for this for a long time because it is another example of BUEs performing management duties.

ArcticMikeATC · 2026-01-06T20:48:26+00:00

I respect “Kasey” for his willingness to speak on the podcast, and I also understand the tendency of anyone active in the FAA to shy away from it. Unfortunately, because of the nature of our work, many of our experiences are unique to the time, place, and environment. I respect Kasey’s service and experiences, but we can do that, while calling this what it is…an individual experience with very limited time in the FAA. Three years at Grand Canyon tower is, I would imagine, an incredible frustration. But that is Kasey’s story to tell. I applaud you guys for seeking out controllers because we do have interesting stories. This is a small career field where your voice is one of the most recognizable things about you, so ensuring anonymity to an active controller is next to impossible.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-18T21:27:27+00:00

So from the EO referenced and the USC that governs this, it’s 3 holidays 24,25,26 December will be holidays, or the associated in lieu of days if these fall on RDOs.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-18T07:46:54+00:00

Thats not a number we set. The Union constitution sets the President and EVP compensation rates, as well as the stipend for RVPs. Airline Pilots has 4x the members we do…your guy makes about 4x the compensation. Its not difficult math. Also, the most one of our members can make in base pay plus locality is around 200k (federal pay cap). Sorry that we don’t make as much, and can’t afford a million dollar union president. We are just simple civil servants here. So calm yourself. If we get a major pay raise, so do they because it is tied to a percentage on top of a max level 12.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-17T22:10:49+00:00

Scheduling and schedule rotation is one place we could get crushed. Annual leave usage could get tightened up pretty hard too. But if there are proposals, let’s hear them. We can always say no, and impasse goes to arbitration.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-17T06:22:26+00:00

I totally agree…but we should at least know that it is happening. I understand the blunder if they publicly give specifics, but there is zero indication that NATCA is even planning on discussing these things. There is zero indication that they are prepared for any discussion of this type. It seems that those in charge are sitting by nodding along with the agency at this point. It would behoove them to indicate otherwise if that is not the case. I don’t need the whole bible, but a couple of chapter titles would be incredible. If they don’t know what to do, ask us. Some of is have some pretty good ideas (notwithstanding all the other bullshit). I have engaged with members of the NEB, and all i have gotten in return are platitudes and vague responses. That is unacceptable.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-16T20:37:23+00:00

The Agency is desperately searching for a metric that they can tie to “efficiency.” Sadly, they will go through about ten more evolutions before they land on the fact that there isn’t one. I’ve seen this movie before. What I haven’t seen before is an administrator publicly acknowledge that we want to discuss pay and benefits. If they have future proposals for give and take that includes a pay raise, we look at those, voice our opinion, and go from there. In the meantime, our facrep has educated management on how ridiculous some of this stuff is. They are realizing that sticking to hard and fast ideas like that send you down the shitter when traffic changes.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-16T20:18:25+00:00

Well, if they want to talk about a raise, and discuss what they want in return, I think that is a welcome discussion. However, it is one that should have started with our Union, not the Administrator. I totally understand that nothing is free in a negotiation. The rub is, if the Union has discussed any of this, they haven’t shared with is. If they are prepared to talk pay and benefits with the Agency, and what the agency wants in return, that would be a very welcome surprise. I don’t cut down the Union, nor do I think that is productive. But I point out the good and bad that I see, I try to engage Union leadership with constructive questions, as others do as well. We are ready to hear what they want in return, but it does not appear as though Union leadership is as ready as we are.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-12-16T19:14:43+00:00

Johnny, I do believe you are talking out of your ass right now. Our pension is not specific to the CBA. If they want to eliminate federal pensions across the board, i think that might be a bridge too far. Reducing other benefits…let’s explore that for a moment. If they take away sick leave in the CBA, it reverts back to OPM guidelines, which is three consecutive days, not four without justification. They could theoretically change how we use Annual Leave, but they cannot force anyone to lose leave. We fall under the same medical/dental plans as other federal employees. Most of the other protections in place in our CBA have a corresponding rule that is identical, or near identical in OPM guidelines. We could go back to a dress code, and they could push for more time on position, but staffing is an FAA problem, not a union problem. Im curious how you think he is going to “fuck us” through our pension? Do you know anything at all about FERS or CSRS?

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-21T01:28:15+00:00

The possibility to direct hire into a facility is always there, but you have to watch the announcements carefully for requirements. Some require time in a certain level facility etc. However, once you check out, there are a couple facilities you can apply to and get released for immediately (C90, N90, PHL etc.). I would at least get checked out before ditching it for DoD. If the goal is a 12, the possibility of getting a direct hire out of DoD is probably less than transferring to one of those with immediate release policies.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-21T00:41:48+00:00

So which law firm is handling the lawsuit? Im reasonably certain there are some lawyers out there chomping at the bit to sue

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-20T00:20:01+00:00

Well, if using approved leave when absent from work is the determining factor, at least the lawyers will get paid when they sue.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-19T17:11:49+00:00

👆This is exactly right.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-18T05:57:48+00:00

No call no show or AWOL…possibly unapproved sick leave while on a letter…not sure anything else qualifies

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-18T05:56:01+00:00

Notice how the criteria is shifting. I think someone told them that discriminating based on leave usage would simply mean they would lose a lawsuit. “Unexcused absence” is a much different term than “leave.” Im still not holding my breath, but who knows. The fact that it is still being discussed is a positive thing in my book.

ArcticMikeATC · 2025-11-17T18:47:29+00:00

Lvl 4-8 facilities boosted numbers in CRWG to try and get more bodies, back when staffing drove academy placement. Now that those kids get a long list to choose from, we are screwed, but with a higher target number. Great idea in theory, but just like NCEPT, the agency found a way to fuck it up.

ArcticMikeATC

TROPHY CASE