LaHood Gives Wrong Reason for Firing Air Traffic Controller

AP

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, right, is shown here at a news conference in Allentown, Pa., March 4.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday corrected Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who announced the dismissal of two air traffic controllers during a news interview Wednesday, but gave the wrong reason for one of their dismissals.

With the Federal Aviation Administration under harsh scrutiny following a series of mishaps, LaHood told PBS that two air traffic controllers -- one in Tennessee and one in Miami -- had been fired. So far so good. 

He then explained that the controller in Miami had been fired for guiding a 737 Southwest flight to look at a small plane that was out of radio contact to determine if something was amiss.

"Completely violates procedures," he said. "You can't guide a big plane over to look at a small plane. That's not the way that's done."

But the controller was fired not for being incompetent, but for sleeping on the job.

LaHood was correct that the Tennessee controller was fired for making a bed in the control tower, including pillows and blankets.

"We're not going to sit by and let that kind of behavior take place in control towers," he said.

The two firings were two of the five cases involving sleeping controllers that have gained notoreity this year. 

In a separate embarrassment, a controller was caught watching a DVD movie at his post. That controller was suspended. In total, the FAA has suspended eight controllers and supervisors since late March.

But the civilian air traffic controller who allowed first lady Michelle Obama's Boeing 737 to get too close to a 200-ton military cargo jet on Monday will not be punished. Military air traffic controllers at Andrews Air Force Base had Obama's plane abort a landing out of fear that the military jet wouldn't have enough time to clear the runway.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. LaHood told PBS that the first lady was never in any danger, the U.S. has the safest aviation system in the world but it needs to perform better.

"So, I would say that flying is safe, but we need to do more, and we are doing more, and we will continue to do more until we make sure that controllers take personal responsibility for the most important safety jobs they have," he said. "We're doing a top-to-bottom review of procedures, workplace procedures and other things."

The FAA issued new air traffic rules for flights carrying Mrs. Obama or the vice president. An air traffic supervisor rather than a controller will handle those flights, the agency said. A supervisor already handles flights carrying the president.

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Movie-watching the latest distraction in air traffic control saga

By Jim Barnett, CNN Senior Producer STORY HIGHLIGHTSA controller in Ohio was watching "Cleaner," a Samuel L. Jackson thriller, early SundayAudio went out on a radio frequency, was reported to air traffic control by military pilotSupervisor was aware of the situation and did nothing, transportation secretary saysController and front-line manager are suspended pending investigation Washington (CNN) -- An air traffic controller in Ohio is the latest to get caught not doing his job, but this one wasn't sleeping in front of a radar position. He was watching a movie.

It happened early Sunday morning. For more than three minutes, the audio from the Samuel L. Jackson thriller "Cleaner" was transmitted over a radio frequency by an air traffic controller at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, Ohio.

"The problem was brought to air traffic control's attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency," according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Officials say the controller was watching the movie on a portable electronic device while he was working.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said the controller's supervisor was aware that the employee was watching a movie and didn't stop him. LaHood said it was "ridiculous... outrageous... and intolerable."

The controller and the front-line manager have been suspended from operational duties pending an investigation. FAA policy prohibits the use of portable DVD players and other devices from being used in radar rooms.

This latest incident took place as the head of the FAA and the leader of the controllers' union started a cross country tour to spread the gospel of professionalism to the rank and file. In the meantime, stories of derelict controllers keep piling up.

There have now been incidents in Washington; Knoxville, Tennessee; Reno, Nevada; Seattle; Lubbock, Texas; and Miami in just the past couple of months.

Scheduling rules have been adjusted and staffing beefed up to mitigate fatigue among controllers.

One passenger at Reagan National Airport in Washington told CNN, "They're there to control the air traffic and keep us all from running into one another, and it sounds to me like they are relaxing and having recreation."

The Cleveland center used to be the busiest regional control center in the United States, but was ranked sixth according to the most recent FAA statistics from 2010.

CNN Jeanne Meserve, Mike Ahlers and Carol Cratty contributed to this report

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Watching DVD player gets 2 Cleveland air traffic officials suspended

Controller catches flick at workSTORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: FAA suspends Cleveland air traffic controller for watching movie "Cleaner" on dutyAgency also suspends manager of air control centerFAA officials, union representatives begin a cross-country tour in AtlantaFAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says mistakes "will not be tolerated" Atlanta (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced the suspension of a Cleveland air traffic controller and a front line manager after the controller was discovered watching a movie on a portable DVD player while on the job.

The announcement coincides with the Monday launch in Atlanta of a nationwide tour by top FAA officials and union representatives, to discuss professionalism and safety at air traffic control centers.

It also comes after the agency suspended a Miami controller on Saturday for falling asleep while directing air traffic.

The Cleveland incident occurred early Sunday morning, according to an FAA statement. The agency stated that the controller was watching a DVD while working a radar position at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center.

"For a little more than three minutes, the controller's microphone was inadvertently activated, transmitting the soundtrack of the movie over the radio frequency for that airspace," the statement read. "The problem was brought to air traffic control's attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency."

The FAA forbids the use of video players and other devices on the radar room floor, according to the statement.

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FAA holds meetings on air traffic control safety

New rules for air traffic controllersSTORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: FAA officials, union representatives begin a cross-country tour in AtlantaNEW: FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says mistakes "will not be tolerated" The FAA reported a seventh case of a controller asleep on the job this yearControllers now must have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts Atlanta (CNN) -- Top officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the air traffic controllers' union kicked off a cross-country tour of air traffic control facilities on Monday, two days after a seventh reported case this year of a controller falling asleep on the job.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, are expected to hold a series of meetings about safety and professionalism. Their first stop was at a radar facility in the Atlanta area.

"None of us in this business can tolerate any of this," Babbitt said of the sleeping controllers. "It absolutely has to stop. ... One mistake is one too many."

This "will not be tolerated," he insisted. "We run the safest system in the world," but these incidents have "cast a cloud."

Inside the life of an air traffic controller

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LaHood Gives Air Traffic Controllers Extra Hour of Rest, Opposes Breaktime Napping

AP

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, right, is shown here at a news conference in Allentown, Pa., March 4.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Sunday announced new safety changes for air traffic controllers after several of them were caught sleeping on the job, leaving pilots to land on their own. 

Among the changes, LaHood said the department will give controllers an extra hour of rest in between shifts. But he said he would not permit workers to take naps while on break, something other countries like Germany allow. 

"Controllers will not be paid to take naps," the secretary said. 

Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," an animated LaHood said the schedule changes should make a difference, but stressed that the department would continue to fine-tune if necessary. He said that even as the department makes changes to the rules, air traffic controllers need to take more "personal responsibility" on the job. 

"I don't know when I've ever been madder. I'm outraged about this," LaHood said. "We're doing everything we can 24-7 to correct this problem." 

LaHood announced several key changes on "Fox News Sunday." He said air traffic controllers would be required to take at least nine hours off, instead of eight, between shifts, and managers would have to be more available in the late night and early morning hours. Controllers would also be prohibited from swapping shifts unless they adhere to the nine-hour buffer; and would not be able to switch into an unscheduled midnight shift after a day off. 

Controllers were known to set up schedules that crammed in a combination of evening, day and overnight shifts, separated by just two eight-hour rest periods. The schedule gave them a three-day weekend, but could, as recent incidents suggest, leave them vulnerable to fatigue. 

"We thought controllers really were getting the rest that they needed," LaHood said, when asked why the department didn't pick up on the problem earlier. 

The series of incidents involving sleeping air traffic controllers has raised questions about whether the problem has been going on for years, but LaHood said it's the first he's heard about it. He repeatedly said he's "mad" about the incidents and pledged a "top-to-bottom review" to correct it. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement after the interview that the changes had already been put in place and would be in full effect by week's end. 

The announcement is the administration's latest attempt to deal with the problem of dozing radar operators. Since March, there have been known instances of controllers falling asleep on duty at six U.S. airports. The latest, at Miami, occurred over the weekend. 

LaHood stressed that despite the changes, he would not allow air traffic controllers to take sleeping breaks during overnight shifts. That conflicts with the findings of a fatigue study -- the report on air traffic controllers, which has not yet been formally released, recommends allowing controllers to sleep on their breaks. 

Earlier, the FAA announced it would no longer permit single staffing at some airport towers during the overnight shift. The FAA chief in charge of air traffic controllers also resigned amid the controversy last week, as lawmakers called for changes in the system.

Over the next several weeks, transportation officials plan to visit air traffic offices across the country to review safety standards. 

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New rules for air traffic controllers

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe transportation secretary says the FAA and controllers' union agreed to changesThe changes will be implemented immediatelyControllers will now have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts Washington (CNN) -- Air traffic controllers are facing a slew of new rules aimed at preventing them from falling asleep while on duty, the government announced Sunday.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Traffic Controllers Union agreed to implement the changes effective immediately, following a series of recent incidents involving sleeping air traffic controllers.

Air traffic control staffing under scrutiny

Controllers will now have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts, instead of the current eight-hour minimum, LaHood said. That will apply when they swap shifts as well. Controllers can no longer be put on an unscheduled midnight shift following a day off.

FAA managers will schedule their own shifts in a way to ensure greater coverage in the early morning and late night hours as well, LaHood said.

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Another air traffic controller suspended for sleeping

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The head of the controller's union says fatigue and scheduling must be addressed It is the seventh apparent incident of sleeping at work this year disclosed by the FAAThere was no operational impact, the FAA says Washington (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration suspended Saturday yet another air traffic controller for sleeping on the job, the seventh apparent incident this year the agency has disclosed.

The incident occurred at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center during the midnight shift early Saturday morning, two days before the FAA is expected to conduct meetings on air traffic control safety and professionalism, the FAA reported.

According to a preliminary review of air traffic tapes, the controller did not miss any calls from aircraft and there was no operational impact, the agency said in a statement. The incident was reported to a manager by another controller, the FAA said. There were 12 controllers and two managers on duty.

Last week, Hank Krakowski resigned as the head of the FAA Air Traffic Organization amid revelations that several controllers fell asleep on the job this year.

All the incidents occurred during the midnight shifts, but the similarity ends there. Some occurred at local control towers, one occurred at a regional radar facility and the latest at a high-altitude center. In at least one incident, the FAA has said the controller deliberately went to sleep, while some of the others appear to have been accidental.

Prior to the start of the midnight shift at the Miami facility, all the controllers were given a briefing on professionalism and the importance of reporting to work fit for duty, the FAA said.

The controller who fell asleep has been suspended, the agency said.

Other incidents of sleeping controllers have been reported in Washington, D.C.; Knoxville, Tennessee; Seattle, and Reno, Nevada. There have been two suspected cases in Lubbock, Texas.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt disclosed the latest incident in a statement saying he is prohibiting scheduling practices that may be contributing to fatigue. The changes will be effective within 72 hours, Babbitt said.

Paul Rinaldi, head of the controller's union, said Saturday his union and the FAA agree that fatigue and scheduling must be addressed.

"This latest incident earlier today is of great concern, as it is never acceptable when we don't provide the level of service expected and required of us on every shift. We take our responsibilities very seriously and believe fatigue is a significant factor in these instances," he said.

Babbitt and Rinaldi on Monday will begin a cross-country tour of air traffic control facilities. Their first stop will be at an Atlanta-area regional radar facility.

"We are taking swift action to ensure the safety of our aviation system," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement Saturday. "There is no excuse for air traffic controllers to be sleeping on the job. We will do everything we can to put an end to this."

On Thursday, Krakowski, resigned amid the furor caused by the controversy. David Grizzle, the FAA's chief counsel, was named acting chief of the unit during a search to fill Krakowski's post.

Saturday morning, Grizzle briefed LaHood and Babbitt about the latest incident.

"We are taking important steps today that will make a real difference in fighting air traffic controller fatigue," Babbitt said. "But we know we will need to do more. This is just the beginning."

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2 kids hurt when jumping castle blown in traffic

Investigators examine the deflated castle in the median on Speedway Boulevard on Saturday. STORY HIGHLIGHTSA dust devil lifts the castle about 15 feet into the air, a fire official saysIt's blown across 3 lanes of traffic before crashingA boy and a girl were inside the jumping castle at the timeTheir injuries are thought to be serious, but not life-threatening (CNN) -- Two children were injured Saturday in Arizona when a dust devil lifted a jumping castle about 15 feet into the air, blowing it across three lanes of traffic before flinging it to the ground, the Tucson Fire Department said.

The children, a boy and girl, were inside the jumping castle at the time and have since been taken to an area hospital. Their injuries are serious, but not life-threatening, said Tucson Fire Department spokeswoman Trish Tracy.

Officials responded to the incident at the corner of 11th Avenue and Speedway Boulevard around 2 p.m., she said.

Video from CNN affiliate KGUN shows investigators taking pictures of the deflated castle, which crashed in the median on Speedway.

Tracy said Saturday's incident was the second involving a jumping castle in Pima County this year.

CNN's Greg Morrison contributed to this report.

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Traffic fatalities fall to lowest level since 1949

Experts say changes in car design and campaigns to create better drivers contributed to the decline in traffic deaths. STORY HIGHLIGHTSExperts cite numerous factors in the dropEmphasis on distracted driving has helped, transportation secretary saysThe recession and high gas prices are also a factorAt the end of 2010, fatalities began to trend back up Washington (CNN) -- The number of traffic fatalities continued its welcomed downward trajectory last year, falling 3% to its lowest levels since 1949, and a 25 percent drop from 2005, according to U.S. Department of Transportation estimates released Friday.

Preliminary figures show that 32,788 people died in traffic accidents last year, down from the 33,808 killed the previous year and significantly below the 43,510 people killed only six years ago, according to the DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Experts attribute the change to a variety of reasons, including changes to cars -- such as vehicle rollover protection -- and programs to change driver behavior -- such as campaigns addressing drunk driving, distracted driving and seat belt use. Laws aimed at young people also likely have had an impact, notably older minimum drinking ages and graduated drivers' licenses.

"I think I'm going to take a little bit of credit here on our two years of really hammering on distracted driving," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We're not where we want to be, but we know with good laws and good enforcement, people will put their cell phones down and their Blackberries."

He also gave credit to stricter enforcement of driving laws and drivers taking personal responsibility for their safety.

Traffic fatalities in the United States peaked in 1972, with 54,589 killed, according to the DOT. But the rise and decline of the grim number has numerous peaks and dips, influenced by direct changes such as the national speed limit and indirect causes such as recessions.

In recent history, the most notable change was a 9.7 percent plummet in deaths in 2008. In a report examining that drop, DOT officials gave credit to DOT safety programs, but also noted that the drop coincided with a recession in the economy. The recession, and high unemployment rates among the young workforce, probably had a big impact on travel among young drivers, and it probably accounts for a steep decline in fatalities involving younger people, the DOT said.

The 2010 drop is notable because the decline comes despite an increase in the number of miles driven.

But figures also suggest the downward trend may be at its end. DOT figures show that fatalities declined in the first quarter of the year (down 11.4 percent) and second quarter (down 5 percent) compared for the same quarters the previous year, but increased in the third and fourth quarters, up 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

Terry Kline, a professor at the Traffic Safety Institute at Eastern Kentucky University, said so many factors influence crashes that its difficult to assign credit or blame.

"Each one wants to say, 'Yes, it's my program that did it,' but it's very hard to prove," Kline said.

A number of factors are "taking more 16 year olds off the road," which could be having a significant impact on the statistics, he said. In many states, young drivers can only drive with an adult in the car, he said. And the recession and the high cost of cars and gas also are keeping teen-agers from jumping in the driver's seat.

The lack of uniformed police reports makes it difficult to compile reliable statistics, Kline said.

Secretary LaHood said the up-tick in traffic deaths in late 2010 does not portend higher figures this year.

"Absolutely not," he said. "We can never sit back on our laurels. We can never take for granted that people have gotten the message, not when 30-thousand people have lost their lives. So we're going to continue our efforts."

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