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UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
Aviation Security
You'd figure the Federal Aviation Adminstration would be adding inspectors left and right, given the rapid expansion of discount carriers, the bankruptcy or near-bankruptcy of numerous airlines, and attempts to save money by outsourcing maintenance.
Wrong. The agency's Flight Standards Office is so strapped that it cannot fill positions lost through attrition. The office lost 138 workers , including 94 inspectors, so far this year. It anticipates losing 257 workers by the end of the year, said FAA spokeswoman Alison Duquette, who added, "Our first priority is the safety of the public, and safety-critical positions will be filled."
But how is unclear if President Bush's budget proposal prevails. Despite the recent inspector general report warning that the FAA was failing to effectively oversee new safety risks, the administration would cut the FAA's 2006 budget by $79 million.
"Aviation security is too important to be done on the cheap ," complained Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. "The president's budget tells the FAA to do more with less, even as we see the skies getting more and more crowded."
An appropriations subcommittee last week voted to restore enough funding in the budget -- $8 million -- to keep the number of inspectors at current levels . The budget proposal moves to the full committee this week.
road tips
New & Improved!
If your summer travels are taking you to Manhattan, San Francisco or Cooperstown, N.Y., consider checking out:
· The Independent Film Channel Center in Greenwich Village (323 Avenue of the Americas). On Thursday, the IFC, a digital cable network, opened its center for independent film fans and makers in the historic, newly restored Waverly Theater. The center features three public state-of-the-art theaters for viewing independent, foreign and documentary features, and includes a public restaurant and an editing facility for filmmakers. Details: http:/
