Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(111,832 posts)
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 04:03 PM Mar 2013

FAA to Close 149 Air Traffic Towers Under Cuts, 13 in Texas

Source: AP

The Federal Aviation Administration says it will close 149 air traffic control towers at small airports around the country because of federal budget cuts.

The agency announced the decision Friday, a month after it released a preliminary list of facilities that could be closed.

In Texas, 13 towers will close. Two of those towers are in North Texas -- Dallas Executive and Collin County Regional at McKinney. To see a full list of closures, click here.

All of the affected airports will remain open. Pilots will be left to coordinate takeoffs and landings among themselves over a shared radio frequency with no help from ground controllers. That's something they are trained to do, but airport directors have raised concerns about the potential impact on safety.

Read more: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/FAA-to-Close-149-Air-Traffic-Towers-Under-Cuts-13-in-Texas-199584921.html



List of closures: http://www.faa.gov/news/media/fct_closed.pdf
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
FAA to Close 149 Air Traffic Towers Under Cuts, 13 in Texas (Original Post) TexasTowelie Mar 2013 OP
not sure how to feel about this, naaman fletcher Mar 2013 #1
Honestly, this does not upset me. Fresh_Start Mar 2013 #2
A DUer calling for privatization? slackmaster Mar 2013 #6
I'm much more upset about cuts to Headstart Fresh_Start Mar 2013 #8
The cuts to Headstart and the impending starvation of poor school kids in South Florida are all... slackmaster Mar 2013 #9
They already do Major Nikon Mar 2013 #7
welcome news! quadrature Mar 2013 #3
What could go wrong?! WinkyDink Mar 2013 #4
In other news, supplies of toilet paper are running short due to the budget sequestration slackmaster Mar 2013 #5
 

naaman fletcher

(7,362 posts)
1. not sure how to feel about this,
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 04:12 PM
Mar 2013

I presume "Dallas Executive" is just a bunch of netjets and corporate planes going in and out? Let them hire their own controllers.

Fresh_Start

(11,330 posts)
2. Honestly, this does not upset me.
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 04:26 PM
Mar 2013

Airlines should pay for all services needed to run their airlines.
Including air traffic control and base operations.

Its not as if consumer flights are dirt cheap.
Many consumers cannot afford to fly so why should their tax dollars be subsidizing businessman flying on business?

Fresh_Start

(11,330 posts)
8. I'm much more upset about cuts to Headstart
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 05:54 PM
Mar 2013

then cuts like this.
I'm not actually saying privatize.
I just said they should be bearing the full cost of it presumably through appropriate taxes, landing fees, etc.

 

slackmaster

(60,567 posts)
9. The cuts to Headstart and the impending starvation of poor school kids in South Florida are all...
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 05:55 PM
Mar 2013

...part of the same ridiculous campaign to emotionally blackmail us into begging Congress to raise taxes.

Major Nikon

(36,817 posts)
7. They already do
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 05:39 PM
Mar 2013

Taxes on commercial airline tickets and fuel taxes already generate about 70% of the FAA's total operating budget of about $15 billion. The taxpayer contributes about $5 billion in the general fund for the FAA. Aviation contributes about $1.3 trillion to the US economy. Small investment. Big return.

 

slackmaster

(60,567 posts)
5. In other news, supplies of toilet paper are running short due to the budget sequestration
Fri Mar 22, 2013, 05:16 PM
Mar 2013

It's so obvious how we are being played. Why are so many people blind to it?

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»FAA to Close 149 Air Traf...