ATC
Congress Rescues Controllers, Small Towers and Flies Home

In the space of less than 24 hours in late April, Congress passed a bill that staved off air traffic controller furloughs and produced “found” money to keep low-activity contract control towers operating. With lawmakers eying another vacation that would officially begin on April 27 and end on May 5, the Senate passed a measure on the night of April 25 that would prevent furloughs of essential FAA employees, including air traffic controllers. The House followed by noon the next day, everyone on Capitol Hill who needed to fly home for vacation headed for the airports–and any observer with even a trace of cynicism could only wonder at how swiftly Congress can pass a law when its members themselves are inconvenienced.