LaHood is Confirmed; Opposes New York Slot Auctions, Supports Controllers

I’ve heard good and bad things about proposed Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, but today at his confirmation hearing (where he was easily confirmed), there was a lot of good going around.

LaHood stated that “it has to be a priority” to fix the horrendous labor relations problem with the nation’s air traffic controllers. He continued, “I’m trying to find somebody who is willing to . . . work with the controllers . . . and get that off the table.” That will be a welcome relief to the controllers who were at war with the Bush administration over their working conditions. He continued, “the next priority in the FAA is obviously NextGen [new generation air traffic control system].” Amen.

Then when it came to New York slot auctions, he had plenty to say. He’s not a fan. “If you’re really trying to cut down congestion, then eliminate the slots. But the idea of then going back and re-auctioning them, it doesn’t make any sense to do that.”

This is exactly what the airlines want to hear, and more importantly, it’s the right thing.  It will be good to see a little more sanity in the department with the new administration.