FAA Fires Two Controllers, Institutes New Procedures for First Lady and Vice President | Aviation International News

FAA Fires Two Controllers, Institutes New Procedures for First Lady and Vice President

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced last night that the FAA has fired two air traffic controllers after

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

April 21, 2011

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced last night that the FAA has fired two air traffic controllers after several cases of questionable behavior led to the suspension of nine controllers, several of whom the agency placed under investigation for sleeping on the job.

LaHood also said the agency would change ATC procedures for guiding aircraft carrying First Lady Michelle Obama or Vice President Joe Biden after an Air National Guard Boeing 737 carrying Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden–the vice president’s wife–had to abort a landing at Andrews AFB, outside Washington, D.C., because it came within three miles of a C-17 as they both approached Andrews to land. Procedures call for five miles of separation. The new procedures call for an ATC supervisor to handle all flights carrying the first lady or vice president.

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