Indianapolis
Media Coverage | Fact Sheet
- "Indy air traffic controllers say they are short-staffed" - AP - Oct. 5, 2005
Television/Radio
- ABC - Total Estimated Audience: 236,402 - Oct. 5 and 6, 2005
- NBC - Total Estimated Audience: 411,373 - Oct. 5 and 6, 2005
- CBS - Total Estimated Audience: 372,190 - Oct. 5 and 6, 2005
- FOX - Total Estimated Audience: 74,597 - Oct. 5 and 6, 2005
- TOTAL ESTIMATED AUDIENCE COVERAGE: 1,094,562
Associated Press State & Local Wire: Indy air traffic controllers say they are short-staffed
Thursday, October 06, 2005
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS
The Associated Press reports, "The union representing air traffic controllers Wednesday said staffing shortages in the city's airport and elsewhere have reached levels that could cause future delays for air travelers as the number of flights continues to rise...Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents about 14,000 federal controllers nationwide, said that hiring cuts by the Bush administration have left the nation's air traffic network vulnerable to a looming number of retirements...They say the lack of new hires has begun to translate into ground delays at major hub airports like Chicago and medium-sized airports like Indianapolis.
"'Planes in the air have the priority,' David O'Malley, a 42-year-old air traffic controller at Indianapolis International Airport, said at an airport news conference Wednesday. 'Those people on the ground - that's where they are going to be delayed.'"
Indy. Channel 8: Air Traffic Controllers, FAA Debate Staffing Issue
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Indy. Channel 8 reports, "Are the skies as safe as we think they are? Not according to some air traffic controllers. Union leaders met Wednesday to discuss their concerns...The air traffic controllers say staffing numbers are down locally and nationwide. While air traffic has reached record levels since 9/11, the number of air traffic controllers has decreased. At the press conference Wednesday, air traffic controllers said last year the Federal Aviation Administration hired just over a dozen new controllers. According to the union, they could use about 10,000...Controllers assured the flying public that they're safe, because the controllers are doing what it takes to keep the system safe. But they add they cannot ensure that with the way things are going...'If you have a record passenger count, it's intuitive that your number of flights goes up, which is true,' said Kevin Brown, Air Traffic Controllers Association. 'Our traffic is back to equal or above September 11th, 2001 numbers. Traffic's going up. Passengers are going up. Controller numbers are going down. It's not rocket science to figure out where that goes.'"
WTHR TV (Indianapolis): More delays predicted at Indianapolis airport
Thursday, October 06, 2005
WTHR-TV reports, "Air travel at Indianapolis International Airport has once again surpassed pre-9/11 levels, which is a good thing for the airlines and for the economy...Oddly enough, it is not good for everyone. Kevin Brown is an Indianapolis air traffic controller. 'Traffic is going up,' he said Wednesday. 'Passengers are going up, controller numbers are going down. It is not rocket science to figure out where that goes.'...That is because the local Air Traffic Controllers Union says it is currently operating 150 people short. A majority of that shortfall exists in the Indianapolis Center, currently operating with 379 certified controllers...Controller Dave O'Malley said, 'Safety is compromised. I mean, percentages will catch up with you. Traffic is increasing at a rate and the controller workforce is decreasing.'"