Schumer Urges FAA to Reject Proposal to Transfer Expert Aviation Meteorologists Out of NYC Area - Could Make Flight Delays Even Worse, Compromise Safety

Press Release

Schumer Urges FAA to Reject Proposal to Transfer Expert Aviation Meteorologists Out of NYC Area - Could Make Flight Delays Even Worse, Compromise Safety

Department of Commerce Announced It Will Be Moving Forward With Plan to Consolidate Weather Stations Located At Air Traffic Control Centers

FAA Would Send Local Weather Monitors Out of NYC Area As Part of Nationwide Consolidation -Make Local Forecasts Less Current and Accurate, Could Increase Back-Ups

With NYC Airspace and Airports the Most Complex and Congested in the World NYC Needs Local Experts on the Ground to Ensure Fliers Move Quickly and Safely

With news that the U.S. Department of Commerce approved a controversial plan to close the National Weather Service Center Weather Service Units, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the FAA to reject the proposal that would dramatically scale down its New York based operations by transferring more than 100 vital personnel who oversee safety and efficiency and actively monitor the weather. The FAA's plans are part of a nationwide consolidation plan that would dramatically reduce staff in New York, moving the very people with unique knowledge of the New York system needed to react to changing weather conditions and implement delay reduction technology and safety initiatives to new areas. Each one of the FAA's 21 regional air route traffic control centers across the country, including the two that cover the New York City area, has a forecast unit that provides face-to-face weather guidance to air traffic controllers and their supervisors. Under the new plan, these sites would be consolidated into two sites, located in Maryland and Kansas City, to monitor the weather at New York's airports.

"With New York airspace so congested and so complex, there must be ample locally-based, expert eyes on the skies to make sure flights move safely and quickly," Schumer said. "Recently there has been a rash of terrifying accidents and flight delays crippling the skies over New York and the entire nation, which is why it is so important that the FAA reject this plan to ensure the safety of all travelers."

Under the proposed change, the 86 meteorologists working at those 21 sites would be consolidated into two facilities in College Park, Md., and Kansas City, Mo. The typical center, including the New York Center located in Ronkonkoma, NY, has between four and six active meteorologists on staff. The New York Center covers high altitude flights over the New York City area, with the Boston center and the Cleveland Center covering upstate New York.

The current system has "high altitude centers," which often cover several states. It was put into place more than three decades ago after a deadly plane crashed in Georgia during a severe thunderstorm. Federal safety officials said problems with quickly analyzing the conditions may have contributed to the crash, however, technological advances can't make up for on-the-ground expertise.

Government weather experts have worked side-by-side with air-traffic controllers since 1978 after the National Transportation Safety Board ruled that a crash the previous year was because flight crews could not get quick updates on hazardous weather. At least four meteorologists are assigned to each air-route traffic control center to provide real-time, face-to-face updates and warnings about turbulent weather that could affect flights.

The pending consolidation would be the latest of several administrative actions to reduce personnel in the regional offices. Last year, the FAA consolidated the Air Traffic Organization's administrative and technical support services, and the previous year, the FAA consolidated financial accounting services at the regional offices. This led to the relocation of over 100 employees from the Eastern Region Office to Atlanta. The continued consolidation fits into a pattern that suggests plans to consolidate the FAA's nine regional offices into three offices, which would then be expected to serve all fifty states.

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