WASHINGTON (AP) -- House lawmakers are questioning whether the government's response to a flood of retirements and resignations among air traffic controllers is eroding safety and aggravating airport delays.
House aviation subcommittee chairman Jerry Costello told a Wednesday hearing: "It is clear the Federal Aviation Administration was not and is not ready to deal with the situation."
The Illinois Democrat says the agency has lost 954 experienced controllers since last October because of a labor dispute and growing retirements. Costello said that working the remaining controllers longer hours risks safety and efficiency.
The panel's top Republican, Thomas Petri of Wisconsin, said "everyone would be well-served if the controllers union and FAA management could settle their outstanding labor issues."
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