Many career professionals at the FAA have hypothesized to me that they believe the current political leadership is "holding the nose of the airplane down" at FAA, intentionally driving it into the ground in order to effect some sort of change. The theories concerning what form this change might take run the gamut from culture shock to wholesale privatization to "running the FAA more like a business."
A correspondent of mine has noticed the culture change at FAA, and recently wrote me to note the similarities between the FAA and another large organization. Unfortunately, his letter also spoke of what happened in that organization when warning signs were ignored. It was something about an airplane pointed at the ground...
"Mr. Carr,
"I've written you a couple times before. I'm a DOD ATCer. Co-workers and I were talking one night about "things" when I was reminded of a B-52 crash at Fairchild AFB, WA in 1994. I just remembered seeing the a B-52 crash at an steep bank, in an almost nose-down attitude. I did a search on the Internet and came across this piece. It is scary how it ties into the leadership -
actually the lack thereof - and the FAA.
"Harrowing is this comment, " The lesson learned and implication for current and future commanders is that trust is built by congruence between word and deed at all levels. Subordinates are quick to pick up on any disconnect. They are closer to the action, have more time on their hands, and love to analyze their leaders. Retired Air Force General Perry Smith writes, "Without trust and mutual respect among leaders and subordinate leaders, a large organization will suffer from a combination of poor performance and low morale."
"Here's a link to the report, and here's a link to the video of the crash.
"I wish you and the members of NATCA the best, Chris"
