Press Conference at 11am

[FlightOfTheShortGuy]

He literally said next week is about equipment specifically. Even went so far as to say air traffic controllers are paid very well per nick daniels. You sure you could pass a drug test with these thoughts you’re having?

The fact that a specific group of controllers are getting a pay raise shows that there is room for growth for increasing pay. Otherwise why would he have given the pay raise if we are paid enough? The press conference next week will primarily be about equipment but I don’t think it will be the only thing. I’m not saying we’re getting a pay raise announcement but if there is talks about more money and budget going into ATC then we will get more clarity next week on what exactly that is. I am not even praising natca here but I think it’s good that Duffy is now acknowledging our union and even giving us praise. We’ll see how things develop. Sorry for being optimistic.

 

[Spoony90]

The fact that a specific group of controllers are getting a pay raise shows that there is room for growth for increasing pay. Otherwise why would he have given the pay raise if we are paid enough? The press conference next week will primarily be about equipment but I don’t think it will be the only thing. I’m not saying we’re getting a pay raise announcement but if there is talks about more money and budget going into ATC then we will get more clarity next week on what exactly that is. I am not even praising natca here but I think it’s good that Duffy is now acknowledging our union and even giving us praise. We’ll see how things develop. Sorry for being optimistic.

They’re gonna say no raise but we are gonna get rid of the 7 day rule to fix staffing

 

[+TSRA]

It's amazing how the FAA AND the "union" manages to piss and divide the work force EVEN more. Having said that, once they get these people in the door with all that $, they will strangle them to death like the rest of us.

I think it's very insulting for Nick to attend these press conference. It makes it appear to the public that the workforce is satisfied, the issues are being addressed, the two parties are working well together, the public can trust things are turning around, and money WE ALL ARE getting more money (the public won't keep track).

 

[Gauff]

This has to hurt:

"The FAA is also offering more opportunities for experienced military controllers to join the workforce. Using On-the-Spot hiring authority, veteran controllers will bypass the normal announcement process. Air Traffic managers will be able to directly accept resumes from interested military controllers and help place them at their preferred location. Veteran controllers will also be given a preferred list of facilities to work at, including larger facilities that command more pay. This list includes TRACONs Level 9 and below, Combined Tower/TRACONs Level 9 and below, and Towers Level 8 and below."

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-new-package-boost-air-traffic

So if I quit for a year I'll make more money and get a bonus to go somewhere. Sounds great

 

[GroundClutter]

You honestly believe there will be something? Duffy called checkmate on nick in the news conference by saying “they just negotiated a new contract”. That was Duffy’s way of saying “they made their bed, time to lay in it”

I’d love to be wrong, but the odds are pitiful. We got nothing. There will be nothing.

So much fuckin leverage.

You didn't understand

I feel the same way. The body language and tone when he turned directly to Nick and said it. Making a point to say it was with the last administration.

We're cooked

 

[Soul_Controller]

I am an older controller per your example and I've been blathering nonstop about how underpaid we are for years. My house is worth $800k+ on a 2.5% rate.... People hate and hated on the Razewen mvmt, they love hating the BAD guy, but now more and more are seeing how poorly compensated we are at least. It's okay, I'll keep being the BAD guy and championing a raise for ALL controllers, regardless of level; because I care about the profession, career, and my esteemed coworkers. Unlike Nick Daniels!

Even then, people forget the downsides of property values inflating. It also dramatically increases taxes owed and insurance rates. First world problems but still changes expenses.

 

[Raise when?]

Even then, people forget the downsides of property values inflating. It also dramatically increases taxes owed and insurance rates. First world problems but still changes expenses.

Absolutely, taxes and insurance have blown up. and I have a young family (2 kids), so as they age, things will get more and more expensive with activities, food, clothes, etc. Plus, again, first world problems but I am doing 800/mo for their 529 college fund. We are in a weird zone where, we are considered "rich" so no help with student aid/loans due to our income level, but it is difficult to pay for the top institutions as they are priced at basically 100k/yr now for the elite ones.

 

[Balls2/H]

I wish it was. I really do.
I’m divorced and my ex won’t let me take the kids.
I was even a thousand miles away from my kids and NATCA/FAA denied my hardship. Denied it hard too

File the hardship again. Include expenses it costs to maintain your relationship with your children, dates to show how little you see them, letters from your kids about the situation and provide examples on facilities and how the move would improve your relationship with your children. If that’s denied then lawyer up and file again. They’ll cave and approve it if your situation is how you describe it

 

[GulfCharlie]

Nick Daniels really just stood up there with the Secretary of DOT, Acting head of the FAA, and only talked about equipment.

He is a complete failure of a union president. Duffy even specifically said, they aren’t worried about retention about the middle 10k of us because we “just signed a new contract in December”.

Fuck you, Nick Daniels. First Union President in history of organized labor to care more about non dues paying trainees and their non dues paying equipment, than his due paying members, who have been completely left behind by decades of mismanagement and lack of any fight. You’re a disgrace.

I suspect most of this rage is manufactured by NATCA in order to eventually dangle the carrot of a raise in return for a quasi/privatised organization. Next week will tell.

 

[Raise when?]

I suspect most of this rage is manufactured by NATCA in order to eventually dangle the carrot of a raise in return for a quasi/privatised organization. Next week will tell.

this seems plausible

 

[Somenewguy]

Even then, people forget the downsides of property values inflating. It also dramatically increases taxes owed and insurance rates. First world problems but still changes expenses.

Increased property values arent solely good, but the thing is - people who are sitting on a nicely inflated home equity and a low interest mortgage have the option of selling and having the exact same rental market as their peers (with a huge chunk of capital gain).

Renters don't have the option of trading spaces. So even if you don't think your situation is enviable, the fact that you are keeping your position means that it probably is a good position to be in.

 

[the inquirer]

This has to hurt:

"The FAA is also offering more opportunities for experienced military controllers to join the workforce. Using On-the-Spot hiring authority, veteran controllers will bypass the normal announcement process. Air Traffic managers will be able to directly accept resumes from interested military controllers and help place them at their preferred location. Veteran controllers will also be given a preferred list of facilities to work at, including larger facilities that command more pay. This list includes TRACONs Level 9 and below, Combined Tower/TRACONs Level 9 and below, and Towers Level 8 and below."

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-new-package-boost-air-traffic

ATM just came in the area and said he has authority to direct hire from DOD and will be visiting nearby facilities this week to recruit. Level 12 tracon.

 

[GulfCharlie]

ATM just came in the area and said he has authority to direct hire from DOD and will be visiting nearby facilities this week to recruit. Level 12 tracon.

Good Luck to him. DoD is fat staffed and he will be hard pressed to find people that want to give up schedules/holidays/weekends depending on the facility.

 

[ManBearPig]

ATM just came in the area and said he has authority to direct hire from DOD and will be visiting nearby facilities this week to recruit. Level 12 tracon.

You D10 or NCT?

 

[SquawkHijack]

ATM just came in the area and said he has authority to direct hire from DOD and will be visiting nearby facilities this week to recruit. Level 12 tracon.

Welp, there goes any kind of NCEPT movement. They’ll always take someone who can bypass a bid and a cat II release.

 

[Shikaka]

You D10 or NCT?

NCT has a female ATM

 

[Spoony90]

Gotta love how the facility I been trying to go can pick up from DOD and I’m stuck. And I’m a veteran!

 

[Stinger]

White House released their budget requests for FY2026.
Page 22 is the FAA section that mentions salary increases. Faintest glimmer of hope, but zero expectation from me.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Budget-Request.pdf

 

[DADDYSbabyBIRD]

White House released their budget requests for FY2026.
Page 22 is the FAA section that mentions salary increases. Faintest glimmer of hope, but zero expectation from me.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Budget-Request.pdf

Sounds like that's probably the bonuses and such they talked about yesterday. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am. They would have brought it up yesterday if it was in the works, and not have had ND confirm with the secretary that we got a awesome new contract in Dec when asked about controller pay.

 

[DankVectorz]

ATM just came in the area and said he has authority to direct hire from DOD and will be visiting nearby facilities this week to recruit. Level 12 tracon.

Interesting. The thing I saw for direct hire mil/did specifically said level 9 and lower. Can’t remember where I read it though.