Opinion

Yeas & Nays


[Print]  [Email]        

Rep. Mica: Don’t blame the birds

By: Kiki Ryan and Jeff Dufour
Washington Examiner
02/25/09 12:05 AM EST

Friendly Skies?

 
Everyone has praised Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, his crew in the sky and those on the ground for their quick decision making prior to landing a full jetliner in the Hudson River last month. Yet at a House committee hearing Tuesday, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., attacked the air traffic controller, Patrick Harten, with a barrage of questions that gave the impression Mica believed the birds shouldn’t take all the blame.


Mica, with a tone much different from the other, more appreciative members’, asked if Harten had “dumbed down” the equipment on the afternoon of Sept. 15 — suggesting the possibility that the birds alleged to have caused the trouble went undetected because of his error. 


Mica continued to heckle the traffic controller with questions, leading to shocked faces in the audience, wide eyes and whispers in the crowd. One member even mumbled, “What an ass.” 


But Harten handled it with nerves that certainly aided him while guiding USAirways Flight 1549 — silencing the representative with a great comeback that made everyone, except Mica, laugh.


As Mica tried to make his point that the current flight plans of LaGuardia Airport are outdated and should be replaced with his plan (which he displayed on the committee’s flat screens), Harten calmly testified, “I can tell you right now, some of those aren’t going to work.” 


We think it’s safe to say, everyone would rather have Harten, rather than a member of Congress, radioing with their plane’s pilot.




Follow The Examiner

To view this site, you need to have Flash Player 8.0 or later installed. Click here to get the latest Flash player.


Most Popular Headlines





 


 



 

Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

Feb 25, 2009

Mica has always been an uneducated idiotic jerk with an axe to grind against the air traffic controllers since he's been in office. When is someone going to vote this knucklehead back to the unemployment line?

 

Feb 25, 2009

Typical Mica, I watched the hearing and was taken back here at home with his attack. This is the crap that all controller's have been dealing with when it comes to accidents or errors. Management believes or wants to accuse the controller of the error and punish him/her so they can remain "cozy" with the airlines. Times have changed and I hope President Obama lays it down on these morons.

 

Feb 25, 2009

His questioning of Mr. Harten shows how little he really knows about the job of a controller and the equipment that they use. During this hearing he also said he googled for information on the flight the night before and came across information that it was not birds at all that caused the accident but instead it was the engines and then went about questioning Captain "Sully" about his engines. Typical Mica, disregarding what all the experts, including the pilot, have to say on the subject and instead relying on google for his expert information. I am embarrassed that he is my representative and there are many in his district that pray for a worthy contender to remove him.

 

Feb 25, 2009

Mica really does not deserve a response. Air Traffic Controllers are a proud group of professionals. The consumers in this country who fly commercial aircraft should understand one thing. The controllers in our country ensure there saftey for every minute of their flight. From engine start to engine shut down. Mr. Mica you are a sorry excuse for a law maker in this country. Your comments currently and in the past, are rude at best, and less than truthful all the time. Your interest is not for our country, they are for yourself, and who can line your pocket. My advise take some of that money, and buy a bus!!! Quit using the system you seem to a such issue with. Neal Thigpen 22 year veteran air traffic controller

 

Feb 25, 2009

Really don't know why anyone is shocked at this...unreal that considering the circumstances of this miracle, mica could even bring himself to act like such a _ _ _ _. And yes that last word sounds like trick:)

 


Post a comment


Email:
(This will not be displayed or shared. Privacy Policy)

Display Name:

Comment:




Sports

Graphic surveys NFL players concerning concussions

NFL Players Association opposes Goodell's call for players to report on teammates

The NFL Players Association opposes commissioner Roger Goodell's call for players to tell their teams' medical staffs if they think a teammate shows symptoms of a concussion, saying that is not an adequate solution. Full story

Economy

UConn officials say health center merger with Hartford Hospital not feasible

University of Connecticut officials say a plan to merge the UConn Health Center in Farmington with Hartford Hospital is unlikely to win official approval. Full story

Entertainment

Pedro Almodovar discusses his childhood, his influences and what he won't put on film

Sex. Drugs. Prostitution. Pedophilia. Rape. Pedro Almodovar has been able to translate some of the most delicate subjects to the big screen with grace and humor. Full story