Council voices LAX runway concern

Council voices LAX runway concern
By Art Marroquin Staff Writer
Daily Breeze
1/10/05

The Los Angeles City Council called on the federal government Wednesday to hire more certified air traffic controllers at LAX, where 55 runway incursions have been reported since 2001. The city has no say in hiring air traffic controllers, but officials aired their concerns following a congressional report last month that found a "high risk" of close calls among aircraft maneuvering on the ground at the nation's airports, including Los Angeles International.

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Officials with the air traffic controllers union say 33 certified controllers work at LAX Tower. The Federal Aviation Administration says there are 34 certified controllers, along with one trainee and 11 so-called developmentals who are performing air traffic control duties for the first time. Just a few years ago, the FAA authorized 47 controllers for LAX, but that number has dropped to a range of 38 to 46 controllers. The change came after a contract with the union expired, allowing the FAA to more closely examine the needs of the nation's airports, according to Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman.

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Foote also said fewer certified controllers at LAX has led to an overworked staff, heightening the possibility of serious mistakes that could go unnoticed. Additionally, controllers often work two overtime shifts every month, he said.

The FAA's Gregor said, however, that adding more controllers will not reduce runway incursions. More than 80 percent of incursions reported at LAX this decade were attributed to pilot error, while 17 percent were found to be caused by air traffic controller errors, he said. Three percent of the incursions were blamed on runway-vehicle drivers.

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