Southwest Region (National Legislative Committee)

SW Region PAC Drive

SW NATCA members,

Thanks to many for their efforts in the SW region Pac drive held February-September 13, 2004. Bruce McMeans from SAT won the $200 in NATCA merchandise and Marty Spiller from AUS won the $600 voucher on SW Airlines.

FYI, The Pac was increased in the SW Region by $10,049 from Feb.-Sept. Over an election cycle that is over $88,000.

Great job to all who participated. Don’t stop your recruitment efforts now though. The PAC is more important now more than ever.

Thanks,

Trish Gilbert, SW Legislative

SW Region PAC Statistics. See PAC #s and percentages by Facility.

New Download Files Available

Including:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarter Meeting Minutes of the NLC

• Go to the Download Page for details
(Standard NATCA password required)

Download Files Now Available

Many Files distributed at NLC Events, and thru NLC communications, are now available
online, including:
• Christine Corcoran PowerPoint Presentation Legislative activity (dated- September 2003)
• Senator Oberstar and DeFazio's response to Blakey and more.
• NATCA Member ID and Password Required (same as National site and BBS)

Get Download Files Here

KERRY VOWS TO KEEP SKIES SAFE, WINS STAUNCH BACKING OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

Kerry Pledges No Privatization of Air Traffic Control

WASHINGTON - In keeping with its mission to protect aviation safety above all else, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association today gave its

full support to Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, declaring Senator Kerry as the candidate who will ensure that the safety of the flying public

never takes a back seat to political ideology or special interests. "The Bush Administration has tried to jeopardize the safety of our skies by pushing

its own political agenda to contract out safety to the lowest bidder, "NATCA President John Carr declared. "Fortunately, brave Republicans and

Democrats have fought to keep safety first, but the clock is ticking. Four more years of a Bush Administration means four more years of putting a

misguided political ideology over air safety. That's four more years our nation can't afford." "Air traffic controllers are both Republicans and

Democrats, but when it comes to aviation safety, we support any elected official who is truly committed to making sure the flying public comes first.

We represent more than 15,000 dedicated FAA employees who work each and every day to guide America home safely. As public servants, we would

be proud to have Senator Kerry as our commander-in-chief and we will do all we can to support his campaign." In a letter to NATCA President John

Carr, Senator Kerry stated, "I have been disappointed with the Bush Administration's systematic plans to diminish our air traffic control system. They

have sought to privatize air traffic control services. They are currently seeking to slash the budget for modernization of air traffic control technologies.

And they have taken a position of malign neglect toward the looming retirement crisis that will devastate staffing of air traffic control facilities

throughout the country in the next few years." Senator Kerry also pledged that "we will restore the partnership between the Federal Aviation

Administration and the air traffic controllers that is essential to true progress in the important task of keeping our skies safe." Senator Kerry asserted

that the Bush Administration has "squandered the good will that existed between the FAA and air traffic controllers in the previous administration, a

period of unprecedented progress in the modernization of air traffic control."

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Flight 100 Passes Senate by Unanimous Consent

HR 2115, The FAA Reauthorization Bill, or Flight 100, passed the Senate on November 21 by unanimous
consent. Our victories in this fight include:
1- FAA Blakey has gone on record repeatedly that she will not privatize the ATC system,
2- Blakey has written a letter to congress, stating that she will not privatize any portion of the system until FY 2005.

• Read Blakey's letter, and Senate Passage of the bill.

Future Fights will use Grassroots Campaign

All Controllers should sign-up for NATCA's automated Grassroot FAX service, that will notify you of

pending issues, and get your voice heard.. Sign up with Today

Congressman Young Video

See Flight 100's Conference Committee Chairman Young's explanation of why Alaska Towers were exempted
from the 69 VFR towers on his chopping block, and why AAAE didn't play the interview for long.
Pay particularly close attention to the last few comments.
. • View Young Video