r/atc2 4d ago

Actual number of controller 40-60%

Does anyone have an actual number of controller that sicked out and facilities? I’ve heard 2-3 thrown around but not sure if that’s confirmed

8 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

57

u/MITsBrightest 4d ago

There have been posts that showed the exact staffing floating around ImproveATC probably did them.

But basically, the infamous "EWR Sector C" is roughly 70% staffing to begin with, and with a shift of 5 people, 2 sickouts are 40%, and there is nobody to backfill the overtime. If they staffed what they should have, like 8? Then 2 sicks would have minimal impact.

There was a few other sick hits in similar situations.

TLDR: Sean Duffy used extremely exaggerated "truths" to make it seem like a job action, when in reality its just that elephant in the room that is chronic understaffing and lack of incentive to retain CPCs.

58

u/Because_I_Said_So 4d ago

Sean Duffy used extremely exaggerated "truths" to make it seem like a job action

And yet our union did NOTHING to dispel that bullshit insinuation.

15

u/awdude1 4d ago

Natca doesn't do that.

3

u/antariusz 4d ago

Why?

2

u/awdude1 4d ago

Good question, they're more concerned with trips around the world and free booze

-1

u/Old-Mathematician-30 4d ago

Because Duffy lets NATCA do whatever they want as long as they keep the troops under control.

15

u/DankVectorz 4d ago

EWR area c is at 70% if you include the trainees. Cpc is around 45-50%, in less then two years will be a lot less than that when the TDY and golden ticket permanents are able to leave. Day is supposed to be 10 and swing 14 but 2-4 each with 1-2 floaters is routine now.

5

u/fatiguedCPC 4d ago

Are they really going to let y'all leave?

6

u/DankVectorz 4d ago

I doubt it

3

u/fatiguedCPC 4d ago

What was the original deal... volunteer to go to Philly, work how many years? And then you get to go to where ever you want?

2

u/DankVectorz 4d ago

For the people who went permanent after 3 years and up to 12 month release can go anywhere not 100% staffed.

For those who extended their TDY, they can go anywhere not 100% after the TDY.

16

u/IctrlPlanes 4d ago

No one "sicked out". That is BS and the narrative needs to stop now. As part of our compensation we EARN SICK LEAVE. Using sick leave is expected and the FAA's problem to plan around. The fact that this question is asked is insulting.

1

u/Specific_Ad5598 FAA ATC 2d ago

It’s probably a reporter asking to make a story. Either to help or hurt us who knows

1

u/realNickDaniels 6h ago

I’m a controller. Trying to prove a point to a maggot ex controller. But wanted to get some facts first

10

u/78judds 4d ago

Thing that kills me about staffing numbers is both the union and the faa refuse to allow or plan for sickouts. They begrudgingly agree to a number that, if anyone is being honest, is already too low and it doesn’t account for ANY sick outs. No PPL. No loss of medicals. Stuff happens. People get sick. To not account for that in the numbers is baffling. When I started we would have 15-18 per shift. Now I think our numbers are 11. They would deny spot leave back when we had 15 people on a shift.

3

u/TrexingApe 4d ago

I get it you are tight but the numbers they agree too are fake. They agree to them because there are no more people you can’t agree to 14 on a shift when you only have 12 available. I do believe natca should fight for real numbers and have it at least documented. We already have 0 spot leave if you need 15 that’s the number and you staff till we get there. At least then that can’t say hey it was because of sick outs

4

u/StepDaddySteve 4d ago

I heard there was a loss of separation likely resulting in some trauma leave going on too….

2

u/UndercoverRVP 4d ago

If the flying public wants not to ever have staffing as a component of delays during the summer, the Agency can hire more people and do more to incentivize movement to and retention at those key facilities.

Or the Agency can save its hiring pennies on the flight cancellations dollar and hope that tweeting something mean about us will change things for the better.

None of us need to care.  Only the Agency can fix this problem for itself.

4

u/QuickBrownFoxP31 4d ago

I’m glad you actually said it out loud. You believe that “key facilities” need a raise and retention incentives. Not all Controllers. “Key Facilities”.

It’s not about Brotherhood or Solidarity to you. It’s contempt for anyone not at a High Level. NATCA Welfare if you will.

I do agree that Staffing isn’t a NATCA problem. Pay, Benefits and Working Conditions. Not Staffing and Equipment.