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Regarding the situation at LGA:
1. If you follow the national airspace system closely, as I do, you know that there have been a number of seemingly inexplicable delays/ground stops since the shutdown started
1. If you follow the national airspace system closely, as I do, you know that there have been a number of seemingly inexplicable delays/ground stops since the shutdown started
2. Flow programs (expect departure clearance time — EDCTs) as well as ground stops are generally not uncommon. Flights get "halted" for weather quite a bit
3. What's impactful about what happened with LGA just now is the fact that the FAA command center, which is staffed by both union (NATCA) and FAA managers, coded the ground stop as staffing-related. That's a big deal and designed to send a message
4. As others have said quite eloquently, controllers are safety professionals. Safety is their job. If people are not showing up to work, the system will continue to move (albeit with some ground stop/"halts"). Things will just move a little slower, and that's for safety. /end
If you're scheduled to fly out of LGA today, there's a good chance you'll fly out of LGA today. (But as they say, check with your airline.)
Also, no, controllers are not going to strike or do a formal sickout. That's illegal. And most controllers know what happened the last time that happened (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professio…)
Today's staffing issues are not being caused by the men and women at LaGuardia tower. There are other enroute facilities that sequence aircraft into LGA that are reporting shortages.
Airspace around Washington is *not* shut down.
That's not correct.
There is a staffing issue at Washington Center (ZDC) in Warrenton, Va. That center handles enroute traffic between New Jersey and the Carolinas.
There's also weather playing a role.
Airspace is open.
That's not correct.
There is a staffing issue at Washington Center (ZDC) in Warrenton, Va. That center handles enroute traffic between New Jersey and the Carolinas.
There's also weather playing a role.
Airspace is open.
This @washingtonpost headline is a correct assessment of what is happening washingtonpost.com/transportation…
The ground stop at LGA has been lifted. Average delays for inbound flights is 86 minutes. Delays get much, much worse at LGA for a summer thunderstorm or winter snowstorm fly.faa.gov/ois/jsp/adv_oi…
An enroute center "shutting down" is a big deal. In 2014, a contractor set fire to the basement of Chicago ARTCC (ZAU), and the airspace *was* shut down for weeks. flyingmag.com/technique/prof…
Some airlines are putting out statements noting minimal disruption from today's air traffic control situation. Given what we know, I agree with those statements.
That said, controllers work in shifts, and unclear what staffing impact will be later in the day.
That said, controllers work in shifts, and unclear what staffing impact will be later in the day.
Airlines really do collaborate with the FAA on these sorts of things. Airlines have direct lines to the FAA Command Center, and there are daily conference calls that allow airlines and FAA planners to determine best course of action. Collaboration is what makes everything work.
Departure delays at LGA and EWR have been lifted. ATL still seeing 60-minute departure delays due to staffing at Jacksonville Center. Also 15 minute delays at RSW.
Inbound, EWR showing average of 61-minute delays due to wind. LGA still showing 86-minute average.
Inbound, EWR showing average of 61-minute delays due to wind. LGA still showing 86-minute average.
If you guys would like a peek into how some of the sausage is made (and delays build): Another part of the FAA ATCSCC website features reroutes and restrictions. Here's what it looks like now for restrictions requested by N90 (NY Tracon) and ZNY (NY Center)
Some of these are departure-related, some of them are arrival-related. For LGA, here's what N90 is requesting: 20 miles between planes from the north, 15 miles between planes from the south and 15 miles between planes from the west.
Sometimes ground delays/ground stops are what's required for controllers to meet those type of restrictions. Too many planes too close together and airspace (and airports) will be over capacity.
NEW: Statement from NATCA, the ATC union: NATCA does not condone or endorse any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity of the National Airspace System..."
Replacement controllers = Regular controllers called in for overtime. Also shift changes taking place in the next hour or two.
Controllers are maxed out at 10 hours a day, 6 days a week (and many do just that).
Controllers are maxed out at 10 hours a day, 6 days a week (and many do just that).
This is interesting. In the FAA's air traffic organization, an ops manager is a mid-to-high level supervisor. And Gothamist got one saying that on the record.
