Spain military takes over air traffic control

[cory777]

Source: Associated Press

MADRID – Spain's military took control of the nation's airspace Friday night after air traffic controllers staged a massive sickout that stranded at least 330,000 travelers on the eve of a long holiday weekend, forcing the government to shut down Madrid's big international hub and seven other airports.

About six hours after the nation descended into total travel chaos, Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba announced that the Defense Ministry had "taken control of air traffic in all the national territory." He said the army would make all decisions on air traffic control, organization, planning and supervision.

If enough controllers do not show up for work Saturday to restore normal flight operations, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero plans to declare a national emergency that would force them to do so, Rubalcaba said. No-show controllers will face unspecified criminal charges punishable by "serious prison time," he said.

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The controllers abandoned their posts amid a lengthy dispute over working conditions and after Zapatero and his ministers on Friday approved a package of austerity measures — including a move to partially privatize airports and hand over management of the Madrid and Barcelona airports to the private sector.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101204/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_spain_airport_closures

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Breaking Activist News http://activistnews.blogspot.com/

[Arrowhead2k1]

1. lol, prison time for refusing to go to work?

Really? :rofl:

[Sherman A1]

2. That's when the downward spiral started here

When Reagan fired the Air Traffic Controllers for going out on strike.

My best wishes to the ATC guys there!

[naaman fletcher]

8. Uh,

These guys make like 400,000 EUROS per year. really.

I don't think the spanish government is all that out of line here.

[Sherman A1]

9. Ever been in a control tower?

I studied to ATC in college and it is not a particularly easy job. That is why PATCO went on strike in the 1980's and Reagan fired them.

I think these guys are worth every penny or euro.

[boppers]

11. $800,000 a year?

Who's paying for that, then?

[Sherman A1]

14. And how much do those air crew make?

I know not as much as they did at one time (at least in the US).

And as so eloquently pointed out in another comment...

"It's not like they hold people's lives in their hands, like a hedge fund manager............"

[boppers]

15. The pilots, and cabin crew?

$20-50,000 a year, in the US. It's not a great paying job, it's not unusual for a pilot to be on food stamps. I don't know about across the pond.

[sudopod]

12. I know right?

It isn't like they hold peoples' lives in their hands every second like a hedge fund manager or anything.

[Sherman A1]

13. Precisely

Well said.

[Sirveri]

4. That would violate the 13th here... That's really scary...

[conspirator]

7. Spain has always been a fascist inclined regime n/t

[inna]

3. unbelievable stuff. thanks for posting.

[Ghost Dog]

5. This (partial) air traffic radar image, snapped at about 10:45 this morning

over here, just about says it all.



Civilian air traffic controllers are being required to work under threat of criminal prosecution, while military commanders are taking control of ATC towers. Military air traffic controllers are on hand, but, I'm told, do not have the training for controlling (more 'fragile') civilian aircraft operations.

If the situation is not under control later today, Prime Minister Zapatero says he will declare a 'State of Alarm' (a step down from a full 'State of Emergency', apparently).

This 'long weekend' is a actually a whole week which includes two bank holidays and is a popular vacation period with a great many Spanish people travelling, on top of the regular international tourist trade which is vital to the Spanish economy.

Threats to air travel are taken very seriously in Spain. The controllers have been agitating against attempts to limit their privileges and extremely high pay and perks for many months now and I have to say that their position is not very popular in the country as a whole.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. I have to think the military controllers have presense of mind...

not to suggest Iberia Airbus A340's attempt a tandem take-off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbMsoxchA0g

[Odin2005]

10. Fascism.