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I fully believe the ATC system is under tremendous stress since FAA
started its "run it like a business" push. I am an air traffic
controller at Newark Liberty Airport in NJ and our staffing is 25%
below 2004 levels. We used to have 40 controllers in the facility
which was the authorized staffing number. We now have 31 controllers.

In the last year, operational errors and aircraft accidents have
increased significantly. I don't have the exact numbers but it has
become a much more dangerous place to fly into. Our staffing is so bad
that we have lowered the level of competence necessary to work at EWR
just so we can get bodies in the building. We also have 5 more
controllers who will retire in 2007.

We need to fix the staffing problem before a major accident occurs.
Unfortunately, FAA doesn't usually respond until deaths occur. The
aviation community needs to speak out about this.

More information regarding the staffing issue can be found at
www.natca.org

You can help us take action to fix this and other problems in the
aviation industry by visiting www.aviationworkersofamerica.org

Please check them out and make a change.

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Raymond M. Adams
Director
Aviation Workers of America Political Action Committee
202-367-4768
director (AT) aviationworkersofamerica (DOT) org