|
|
Post by TCU 2U2 on Jun 8, 2017 6:08:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by northwx on Sept 19, 2017 14:57:11 GMT -5
Wacko townhall.com article by Stephen Moore, America's Unfriendly Skies, this AM tries to promote privatization of ATC - clueless as to fallout. Comments 100% in favor of keeping FAA control and wx services where mentioned. Need to add illustration of would you like to have your road system administered by trucking companies?
|
|
|
|
Post by alstein on Sept 22, 2017 13:17:53 GMT -5
sounds like they're doing a six month extension, which really worries me, especially given that it's a contract year next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by wxornot on Sept 23, 2017 7:16:03 GMT -5
Where did you see/hear 6 month extensions? I couldn't find that. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by wxlover on Sept 23, 2017 7:42:24 GMT -5
A 6 month extension doesn't really make sense to me. If you look at the last contract bid, it was out for about 9 months before the old contracts were set to expire, and then they didn't even get that award out on time. If they only do a 6 month extension then that sounds like a transition away from the program entirely, rather than just extending so they have time to post and evaluate new bids.
|
|
|
|
Post by coldlover on Sept 23, 2017 16:33:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by fzraman on Sept 25, 2017 9:51:32 GMT -5
I may be mistaken but, the last I saw there were 2 bills that have been introduced and not yet voted on that involved us. The House version did not remove the intent that no money in this bill could be used to close "Any CWO sites". The Senate version has us in the bill until "2021". I'm still watching for any changes.
|
|
|
|
Post by northwx on Sept 25, 2017 17:14:12 GMT -5
Nice eyeballs folks, stay vigilant.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardustwx on Sept 26, 2017 8:34:14 GMT -5
sounds like they're doing a six month extension, which really worries me, especially given that it's a contract year next year. Shuster Statement on FAA Extension Vote Washington, D.C., September 25, 2017 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446 | 0 comments Washington, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) released the following statement after today’s vote on a six-month extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs: “The safety of our aviation system and the livelihood of thousands of dedicated FAA employees across the country should not be used to score political points by anyone. The bill voted down today would provide a stable, clean, and necessary extension of FAA’s current funding for six months so that Congress can complete work on a long-term bill. Shutting down FAA programs and projects, and furloughing FAA employees, is not in the best interest of our aviation system or the American traveling public.” transportation.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401903 |
|
|
|
Post by mesoscalelift on Sept 27, 2017 23:56:56 GMT -5
I apologize for not being active on this site for some time. I've mostly moved to social media. But, I was reminded today that this site still existed. First, thank you all for your efforts. We actually packed most of our stuff up here (one guy took his fridge home, etc. We just have bare bones materials here now). I was actually talking to a young guy today who thought about working here. I honestly couldn't recommend it. It's one thing for someone like me who has been doing it P/T or F/T since 1997, but I wouldn't have someone enter this career now knowing it's existence is very likely to be a short one. Even if we can survive this one, or the next one; at some point in the near future it is going to end. But, for those of us trying to hang on -- all we can do is keep in the ear of those who control the federal $$ and try to state our position, even if the airlines really don't support us, nor do many others. I think the worst part is that I've only had about 2 weather shifts in the last three months, outside of typing in high clouds and other easy updates, which has made it hard, internally, to fight. It's almost like I see their point, even though I don't want to. Uugh..little sad tonight. But, I think for the first time, I really know that at some point, the extensions are going to end. Bleck. Good luck everyone. And, again, thank you on here for all your fighting. I know my family appreciates it. If we lose this job, I don't know what I'll do -- this career has nothing to offer towards almost any other job. IF not every other job. Sorry..depressed.
|
|
|
|
Post by skobie on Sept 28, 2017 13:54:53 GMT -5
North, Alstein, Wxornot, Wxlover, Coldlover, Fzra, Stardust, Mesoscale: First of all, I'm glad to see some inquiring and talking on "The Board"! As of today (Thu Sept 28), the House has voted positively to extend the current FAA bill for 6 months and the Senate is expected to vote on it (positively) this afternoon. However, there is a much longer term bill being worked on simultaneously in both the House and Senate. There seems to be some sticking points on both sides, but eventually those sticking points are expected to go away through each Chamber internally dropping some of the things they're pushing for that aren't so popular or eventually through give and take negotiations between the House and Senate to get one bill finalized and passed. Either way, a good source of info. outside of this Board would be to go to the USCWOA website at: www.uscwoa.org/latest-news or through the USCWOA Facebook page (if you'd like to go that route). Either way, keep in mind that Congress was off and out to service during the month of August and only recently have things started to ramp up again (so expect more updates soon). Another thing to do would be to join the USCWOA and be sure to give them an email address to update you periodically on some happenings. For only $0.20/hr (directly deducted from your pay by your contractor), you can join nearly 500 other weather observers in our quest to keep our jobs by educating Congressional leaders and other entities in aviation on why we are so very necessary to aviation and the NAS. If you've already joined, sorry to sound like an advertisement here, but the USCWOA is the leading force responsible for us even having our jobs this long and we will continue to build on that going forward (both for the long term stability of our jobs and a future expansion of the CWO Program). And there are several airlines and airports that already support us, along with most of the CWO contractors and other various entities.....if you need more info., please PM me and I'll be happy to answer any questions. Take Care, skobie USCWOA Member |
|
|
|
Post by northwx on Sept 28, 2017 16:07:45 GMT -5
mesoscalelift, get over your "seeing their point" - they are sadly, and dangerously, mistaken... SOMETIMES ASLOP is correct, but as I'm writing we have SCT005 BKN038 OVC070 - ASLOP wants to call it BKN005 OVC075... My little village - an important airfield to Alaska though pretty little - depends on aviation like nowhere else outside of Alaska, and we're a long way from alternate airfields. We also have BCFG that ASLOP can't do. ASLOP's horizontal VIS is a joke. It can't measure precip accurately either, and snow not at all - though the FAA doesn't give a rip about precip. Can "they" build something that could take our place and not compromise safety? Perhaps, but I don't see it happening anytime soon, even with the rumored gen2 ASOS. The flying public deserves better than the blind cubicle denizens in Foggy Bottom are willing to give, hence the annual battle to keep us going. By the way, bureaucrats are prevented from lobbying for their budget and programs by the Hatch Act - which does not apply to contractors - so the FAA threatens us with closure so we will lobby on behalf of their budget (and pay raises). Depressing? No, but it is corrupt and sickening, and we're all tired of the battle. Keep involved and in touch mesoscalelift. Our involvement is about much more than keeping our jobs.
|
|
|
|
Post by hlsto2 on Sept 29, 2017 18:59:31 GMT -5
from NARFE on 9/29/2017
Congress Reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration
A bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and provide hurricane relief passed Congress this week. H.R. 3823 would extend the FAA’s authorization for six months through March 31, 2018 and offer tax cuts and benefits to individuals living in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
After an initial delay, the House passed the bill that includes provisions to encourage the creation of private flood insurance markets. However, those provisions were removed once the bill reached the Senate. The amended legislation was sent back to the House after passing the Senate via a voice vote and was quickly approved by the lower chamber. The bill now awaits the president’s approval.
An agreement on a longer reauthorization for the FAA stalled because of a controversial plan to privatize the FAA. That plan, spearheaded by Rep. Bill Shuster, R-PA, would have shifted the FAA into a nonprofit corporation that would be controlled by a board made up of various airline representatives, federal appointees and other aviation related groups.
|
|
