The International Cessna^® 170 Association

At Oshkosh I signed a form letter to my US Repesentative concerning my opposition to the privitization of the air traffic control service in this country. I am going to post the first two paragraphs of his reply letter so you guys can understand better why this country is such a mess.

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the privitization of functions performed by air traffic control systems specialists. It was good to hear from you.
As you know, a provision in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA,P.L.107-71 Section 108; 115 Stat. 611) permits each airport were Federal screenersare curently deployed to request private screeners starting November 2004. A pilot program created by the act was established at five airports to examine the advantages and dis advantages of private airport screening. Concerns have been raised, however, that the pilot program may provide too small a sample and as currently implemented, is too simlar in design to the federal screening function to make a valid comparision of federal and private screening, and that the pilot program airports may not serve as ideal models for future private screening systems. Also, no regulatory framework or guidelines curently exist for evaluating screening proposals and overseeing private screening firms.
The letter has several more paragraphs of BS none of which even mentions air traffic control specialists. I recieved this letter the day after the election But I am pleased to say that even though he is from the party to which I am registered I did not vote for him. I voted Libertarian. I am sure they would privitize the ATC but I would have enough money to Pay them and fly more to boot Bill K

My daughter works in the capitol for a senator as a legislative research assistant. It's doubtful your representative even saw your letter. Most likely his office staff (perhaps a student intern*) wrote the reply using standard boilerplate he/she found after a computer search of "aviation privatization" and then mindlessly sent the letter to you.
When you want a truly responsible reply, I've found it helpful to CC (indicate a copy) to your Senator AND to your local newspaper editor. (Whether or not you actually send a copy to those guys is less important than if your recipient actually THINKS you did.)
It would also be helpful if you next critiqued the response you got from his office, and sent that critique back to him/her asking for a follow-up....and making darn sure you CC's that critique! (heh-heh)

P.S.- the party of your representative is the party most interested in privatizing ATC. (and public education, and other gov't funcions.) Your letter to your reps is important. Keep their feet to the fire!

* Interns are usually the college-student children of special political supporters and/or lobbyists.

Thanks for the reply George. I figured the most that came of the letter was some assistant checking off on a list that I was against the privitization of screeners. But I do feel strongly that ATC and flight service specialists over the years have save many lives and will not get to do it as often if we go to a fee for service system. The system works best when people use it regularly and that will occur when we do not have to pull out the credit card each time we use it. So I plan to send another letter to my friend in congress explaining that the flight service specialists and ATC folks are not baggage screeniers. On another subject that you might find interesting I have the 2N Ford that my Grandfather of the same name as mine purchase new in 1947. Also the Allis Chalmbers WD my other Grandfather purchased new in 1950 and the Farmall SMTA that my dad bought new in 1954. My good wife insisted I buy a four place airplane so I don't have Dads Cessna 140. Wives that insist you buy a 170 instead of a 140 are great wives in my book. Bill K.

Whoo-Hooo! She definitely sounds like a keeper!
(Congratulations!)