OT: Newark airport

[tom1944]

Quite simple.
Do we have a shortage?
If so, why were these 1000 plus qualified workers not hired?

Not hired by Obama or Biden? Were they also not hired during Trumps first term? Are they being hired now?

 

[yesrutgers01]

Not hired by Obama or Biden? Were they also not hired during Trumps first term? Are they being hired now?

The info shared by VK pretty much points out what happened and it makes sense. Covid/Retirements. I’m not sure if this goes to either Obama or Trump’s first term.
But should have been addressed during Biden’s term. But I also believe a sitting President really doesnt have much say over these matters.
Our Government would rather stick their heads in the sand than work together to fix something.
And if we really do have these shortages caused by very experienced ATC retiring and the stress of working during Covid- it makes sense these people are just burnt out and pissed off.

 

[RUDead]

The media is ignoring the biggest issue. Why does it take 3 months to fix a runway? That's ridiculous for a place as crowded as Newark.

 

[T2Kplus20]

The media is ignoring the biggest issue. Why does it take 3 months to fix a runway? That's ridiculous for a place as crowded as Newark.

Union labor.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

The media is ignoring the biggest issue. Why does it take 3 months to fix a runway? That's ridiculous for a place as crowded as Newark.

They are not just repaving the runway.

 

[RUDead]

They are not just repaving the runway.

I know but everyone knows how big of a disruption this would be. There should have been better planning and a much quicker outcome. If the will was there it could have been done.

 

[vkj91]

Not hired by Obama or Biden? Were they also not hired during Trumps first term? Are they being hired now?

Where did I cast blame on any one person. I’m sorry that info triggers you. Maybe you’d be happier remaining uninformed?

 

[tom1944]

Where did I cast blame on any one person. I’m sorry that info triggers you. Maybe you’d be happier remaining uninformed?

I was not triggered. I asked the question based on one of your posts. Post 304.

 

[iReC89]

You're posting a screed by the lawyers representing the plaintiffs in this suit, which is bound to be biased. Also, the biographical test for ATCs was dropped in 2018 (and in 2024 for the rest of the FAA), so even if it had been an issue in rejecting some meritorious applicants (not clear it was, as it was only a screening tool, not a final hiring tool), surely there has been time enough to bring on more ATCs since then by both the Trump and Biden administrations.

In addition, the rigorous testing requirements to become an ATC have not really changed, i.e., unqualified air traffic controllers were never hired to meet diversity goals. And while there was certainly some emphasis on increasing diversity in the FAA ranks, clearly those efforts didn't change much, as white men made up 59% of the FAA workforce in 2016, 57% of the workforce in 2020 and 55% of the workforce in 2023 Let's see what comes out as evidence in the lawsuit.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyeg61pnl5o

That link wasn't really worth responding to. I prefer the opinion pieces from lawyers that substantiate and win their cases.

Here is some apparently good data on ATC hiring goals vs actual. currently at 10,800. In years without budget or covid issues, there does not appear to be a large gap in planned hires vs actual, so the question is still why have planned hires been so low over the past decade?

 

[RULoyal]

Just saw on the news that the runway closed for repair/updating is finished and will reopen next week.

 

[MulletCork]

Good stuff. United sent an email out a week or two ago and said this would occur by early June.

 

[RU206]

I flew out on Thursday and had a 30 minute delay but everything else was smooth. TSA lines were empty.

 

[RU Cheese]

Flew back to Newark last week. I've traveled a ton but this was first time we landed on the sideways runway (I think 29). Very different spproach.

 

[yesrutgers01]

I flew out on Thursday and had a 30 minute delay but everything else was smooth. TSA lines were empty.

It is the return flights that seem to be tge issue.

We like to take United because of the privileges we get with their premier card

Now that I am in Delaware, we will most likely use Dulles instead of Newark

 

[JC_in128]

Flew back to Newark last week. I've traveled a ton but this was first time we landed on the sideways runway (I think 29). Very different spproach.

It is a great approach to 29 but the opportunities to utilize that runway are limited to direction of winds and weather. It is the shortest of the runways at EWR so you usually “feel” the touchdown and then the heavy braking to slow down. During the runway construction the days 29 could be used considerably reduced the number and the length of delays.