The National Air Traffic Controls Association has endorsed President Obama and Vice President Biden for second terms.
In announcing the endorsement, NATCA officials said aviation contributes more than 5% of the nation’s gross domestic product and this administration “has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to improving the safety and efficiency of our air space system.”
This endorsement was not unexpected. NATCA and the FAA have clashed under Republican presidents over union positions. The controllers’ union also credited President Obama for efforts to get the Congress to pass a long-term reauthorization bill.
Most organizations representing aviation are reluctant to openly endorse any political candidate or party. Realizing the pitfalls of promoting one side and alienating the other, they prudently maintain middle-of-the-road public position and work more quietly behind the scenes.
Charles Spence is GAN’s Washington, D.C., correspondent.
Guido said it about as well as can be said. This adminstration has been really hard on small business of which a big part of avaition is small business. He certainly kept the controllers busy keeping no fly zones up at most of the major airports here in the USA. I guess that is a plus in their caps but it didn’t help the small businesses at those airports while he was there. If they relied on flying into or out of the closed or no fly zone airport they were basically shut down. Â
Sad, just sad….