Washington State air facilities that could close with sequestration

The FAA has released a list of air traffic control facilities that could close with Sequestration, which is due to take effect March 1.

The following facilities in Washington State are on the list:

ALW Walla Walla Regional Walla Walla WA
MWH Grant County International Moses Lake WA
OLM Olympia Regional Olympia WA
PAE Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field) Everett WA
RNT Renton Municipal Renton WA
SFF Felts Field Spokane WA
TIW Tacoma Narrows Tacoma WA
YKM Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field Yakima WA

Additionally, the over night shifts in the following control towers are at risk:

BFI Boeing Tower Seattle WA
GEG Spokane Tower Spokane WA

The FAA warns that passengers at TSA lines could be up to three hours and tarmac delays at major hub airports could be up to 90 minutes.

DOD worries about sequestration affect on non-defense industries

The National Journal magazine has an interesting article detailing why the Defense Department is worried about the impact on non-defense sectors. Among the key points in the article:

  • Half Boeing’s revenue comes from the commercial aircraft sector and adverse impacts on airlines could ripple to Boeing Commercial Airplanes;
  • Air Traffic Control will take an immediate $800m hit, costing 2,200 controllers their jobs;
  • The FAA’s NextGen system investments would be slashed;
  • Lockheed Martin provides security services to departments like Social Security, and would be affect; and so on.

Here’s an article specifically on the FAA controller cuts.

There are charges and counter-charges among DC politicians about why no deal has been struck yet to avoid the fiscal cliff. The latest is that House Speak John Boehner wants to get past his reelection as Speaker Jan. 3. This is a pretty cynical theory.

Supplier Honeywell thinks Sequestration is OK; Mystery photo

In a break from major defense contractors, politicians and just about everybody, the CEO of Honeywell thinks Sequestration might be a good thing.

We opined about this on Election Day.

For a switch in topics and our usual stuff, let’s have a little contest. You win nothing except bragging rights.

What is this?