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United States Pilots Association |
USPA member Leslie Weinstein has sent us a letter signed by the Senators and Congressmen serving the Boise Idaho area. The letter protests the FAA's decision to shut down the Control Tower at Boise International Airport from 12:00 midnight to 05:00 a.m. every night. Of course, no consideration was given to the general public awaiting their Fedex, UPS, and other priority shipments that ordinarily come in late at night.
Do not think this will only apply in Idaho. One can only imagine the commotion during the winter months when aircraft are turned away from Boise because of the closed tower. The FAA is trying to reduce operating expenses normally funded by the Aviation Trust Fund. They are doing this by reducing their services to the public, which is unacceptable.
There is another way to go in this situation. Take a survey as to who uses the airport late at night and charge them for the privilege. Perhaps when the recipients of a $15.00 express package find their fee going to $40.00 or more, the public might begin to understand the actual value of an airport. Frankly, I feel Ms. Blakey should be removed from her office for gross dereliction of the FAA's dedicated role to promote air safety in this country.
The only problem here is the government's out-of-control spending for homeland security versus the drop in airline contributions to the trust fund because of low ticket prices (below cost) charged by the airlines in the name of competition. Be advised; this road show will appear at your airport if it is not nipped in the bud. Just imagine landing to minimums by utilizing weather from another source over 100 miles away.
It's getting scary out there folks. I suggest letters to your elected officials and pressure directed to your airport mangers, City Council, and Mayor's office. This scheme needs to be stopped NOW!
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association