ATCguy

As a controller I am fitful of the thought of decreasing the number of contract towers by half. The contract tower program was born out of the strike in 1981 and is hugely successful. It saves the federal government hundreds of millions per annum. On the flip side, as a business man, I agree there are a number of towers that are probably uneccessary. Many towers average less than 100 ops/day.... There are also dozens of FAA operated towers that could join the contract tower program saving more money than the government would realize by shutting down 100+ contract towers. The only reason this hasn't happened is due in part to the strength of NATCA. It is a sordid story in my opinion. Contract towers, busy or not provide a far greater safety to the skies and flying public than most of you know. One single fatality on a runway that use to fall under Delta airspace will negate all the "good" created by trying to save pennies. Happy Holidays ATCguy