FAA’s Tooth-Rattling Error

By Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg

Since the Bush Administration’s Federal Aviation Administration started implementing new flight paths in the New York and Philadelphia airspace, planes have periodically taken off the wrong way out of Newark Liberty airport. Air traffic controllers and pilots weren’t trained or given guidance on the new paths, and when one controller tried to explain the new procedures to pilots, his manager reprimanded him.

Safety may be the most alarming problem caused by the FAA’s “airspace redesign,” but it’s certainly not the only one. The FAA promoted the redesign as a way to ease congestion, and, as senators representing thousands of Newark’s frequent fliers, we understand how bad delays are and how urgently we need to fix them. But the new plan will barely shave a few minutes off the seemingly endless delays many of us experience, and the FAA discarded options, such as routing planes over the ocean, that could be safer, more effective and less intrusive.

Because of the new flight paths, school windows will rattle by day and the roar of jets will be heard at night in some of the nation’s most densely-populated communities. Residents spoke up, attended meetings, wrote letters and contacted their elected representatives to try and fix the FAA’s mistakes. President Bush’s FAA didn’t listen.

The airspace redesign plan won’t substantially reduce flight delays, has already raised safety concerns and will subject thousands of residents to an increase in air noise. In short, it’s a lot of cost for very little value.

The episode is typical of the FAA’s leadership: It rarely carries out its primary mission to promote safe air travel with any sense of urgency. It’s distinguishing itself for its culture of insularity, cronyism and neglect. If the FAA wants to regain the public’s trust and reduce delays, there are many other, more effective ways. The agency has already capped the number of flights in the New York region, which should help. It should also modernize the air traffic control systems and ensure that enough experienced air traffic controllers are on the job at any given time.

It’s time the FAA becomes the responsive and responsible agency that travelers deserve. It should start by listening to the chorus of voices asking it to give the airspace redesign another look.

Robert Menendez, D, and Frank Lautenberg, D, represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate. (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.