Mica Gives Air Traffic Controller a Hard Time
Florida Republican Rep. John Mica has never been super-shy about the fact that he's not particularly fond of the nation's air traffic controllers and their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. And according to the DC Examiner, he really let rip on the air traffic controller who testified in Congress yesterday about the landing of a passenger plane on the Hudson:
Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., attacked the air traffic controller, Patrick Harten, with a barrage of questions that gave the impression Mica believed the birds shouldn’t take all the blame. Mica, with a tone much different from the other, more appreciative members’, asked if Harten had “dumbed down” the equipment on the afternoon of Sept. 15 — suggesting the possibility that the birds alleged to have caused the trouble went undetected because of his error. Mica continued to heckle the traffic controller with questions, leading to shocked faces in the audience, wide eyes and whispers in the crowd. One member even mumbled, “What an ass.”
Mica, of course, is entitled to his opinions and his personal style. But if he wants to continue playing a lead role in addressing FAA policy, he might use his political capital to better effect.
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
Mr. Mica's ignorance of the ATC system astounds me. The radar in the New York Tracon area tracks transponder equipped aircraft, not birds. Even the radar signature (skin paint)of a plane is quite different than a flock of birds (just watch the news).
Mr. Mica should leave his political diatribes and implosions out of a chamber where my passengers lives are being discussed. We deserve better service than this from those that represent us.
Couldn't agree more with the quote!
A Pilot Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2009 12:06 PMIs Mr Mica (R FL 7) feeling a bit superfluous these days ? He longer chairs the subcommittee that held the hearing in question and seemed more interested in making a spectacle of himself than in getting to any helpful information for future bird strike events.
I've been a controller for over 25 years, both USAF and FAA and have seen the damage a bird strike can do.
Setting aside Mica's obvious lack of expertise (not to mention tact) what did come out of the hearing was the absolute need for aviation experience, both in the cockpit and in the ATC facilities.
Mark Athas
Air Traffic Controller
Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control
Mark Athas Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:32 PMCongressman Mica is the ranking minority member on the "Subcommittee on Aviation" and had the GOP won the elaction he would be the commitee chairman. If you listen to this guy it is no wonder that the GOP is losing seats every election, the guy has been involved with aviation for years and he has no clue what he is talking about. Just a complete buffoon! The controller, while being young, held himself up quite well against Mica's antagonistic questioning exactly as he did under the pressure of dealing with the crash of Flight 1549, Kudos Mr. Harten!
TrainRider Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:06 PMMr. Mica is probably still upset that the Repulicans no longer hold power and he needed someone to vent on.
No Name Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 8:10 AMJohn Mica is a puppet. He asks questions that are given to him by one special interest group or another. His research comes from Google, as he testified. If you want to know about Mica you should follow the money. Mica is on the side of who pays him the most. He votes against HR1 then goes back home and pats himself on the back about how much money he is bringing to the district. What a hypocryte.
A Controller Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:11 AMIf Mr. Mica had even done the Google research that he claimed, he would have found that Seattle-Tacoma is about the only airport currently using "bird radar", and even then they use binoculars to confirm what type of birds, how many, and how far away.
M. Stowe Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:29 AMAs a retired controller, it is obvious that Mr Mica does not have a clue about ATC or radar. No radar is "dumbed down", although you can filter out ground clutter, weather and aircraft above or below your altitudes of responsbiblity. You can't filter out primary radar or birds, but even so, primary aircraft targets are often hard to detect let alone geese. I guess Mr Mica will so be introducing legislation to require all geese be transponder equipped... giving a whole new meaning to the term "squawk".
Skytalker Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 1:10 PMWhy is it that someone as moronic as John Mica continues to get re-elected? Is anyone paying attention in his district? As mentioned, the guy has been on these Aviation Committees for years and still has no clue what Air Traffic Control or ATC Radar is or does. 2010, vote em' out!
ATC Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 3:19 PMJust curious if that new satellite tracking system FAA is promoting will be able to pick up birds either? Mica seemed intent on promoting equipment upgades for FAA, but is it an upgrade? And how will they function every 20 years or so when increased solar falres disrupt certain satellite signals and equipment for days? I understand some satellites are switched off during these events to protect them. Amtrak anyone?
Nuyawkr Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:17 PMPerhaps Mr. Micas East Coast plan "routes out of LGA" would be better served if he could just get those pesky birds to fly them?
As Mr. Harten so eloquently testified, that seems to be whom they are for anyway.
As for Mr. Mica's behavior, he owes Mr. Harten, and the Cactus Crew a public apology... in the Halls of Congress as well!
Kenny Ellis
Air Traffic Controller
Memphis, Tn
Kenny Ellis Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:31 PMWhy is Mr. Mica still in present? Well considering the has practically run un-opposed for years seems as good as any.
Archie League Posted Friday, February 27, 2009 5:35 PMwith a baccalaureate in management, he has amassed well over 8 million. Hum makes you wonder just where all that cash comes from. Special you bet ya!
Like his daddy before him he has parlayed himself a nice little life out of the suffering of others, Mr. Mica you just keep selling out, and I'll keep sending the DOJ letters, deal?
Darn dumb equipment, if DHS had only issued an H1B visa and a transponder to all those Canadian geese Capt Sully would have gotten a tcas alert and missed em on departure. Its too bad Mica didn't go thru the engine that morning, but then that would be proof crap does fly in Washington.
Dahhuh Posted Monday, March 2, 2009 3:03 PM