Great article -- yes, I read the article.

For the info of my fellow FTers, I'll relate as briefly as I can, an experience I had with the FAA in 1999 when I applied for a fairly senior job in the Associate Administrator's Office of Research and Acquisitions (FAA/ARA).

I had recently retired from the USAF and was interested in helping solve mass transit problems -- in particular, upgrading the air traffic control system.

Through an Air Force colleague, I met a senior official in ARA and two of their senior contractor corporate officers shortly before me retirement. Each individual told me that the FAA needed "new blood" and had made a commitment to recruit same. I found it interesting that the corporate officers met with me to try to get me into the government, rather than hire me themselves. I read testimony from Jane Garvey expressing the same sentiment. The ARA official met me, took my resume, and encouraged me to apply for some senior positions. Also, ARA had adopted the new government "pay band" system, dropping the traditional civil service grade structure that gave promotions for longevity rather than merit. The "pay band" system rewards people for performance. I was encouraged that the FAA seemed serious about fixing themselves.

The bubble burst severalmonths later when I was called for an interview to be a manager in an ARA office doing the acquisition of the next generation ATC system. It was the most bizarre job interview I have ever had. The office chief's and the interview team's views of the systems engineering approach was so narrow it was shocking. Also, they openly ridiculed the Airline Pilot's Association, the Air Transport Association, general aviation, ordinary passengers, and the air traffic controllers. I pointed out that these groups were their customers. They just didn't get it. At times, we got into hot debates during the interview that bordered on yelling. I never got the job, and probably would have refused had they actually offered me one.

I understood that the FAA, despite the best intentions of its top leadership, has a layer of senior management that is so entrenched that it can't or won't change. Their knee-jerk reaction to airport security doesn't surprise me a bit. One of the contractor executives I met told me, when public or congressional criticism comes, that the FAA becomes defensive, retreats, and hunkers down. Later, they emerge with some very visible window-dressing action to give the impression that they have it under control. I know first-hand that nothing could be further from the truth.

Thanks for listening.