HICKORY, NC (WBTV) -
With sequester cuts taking affect across the nation, more than 100 airport control towers are bracing for closure.
The towers being targeted are those at smaller airports where there is no commercial airline service. Among those is the tower at Hickory where the people who work there have an idea where they will be next month.
"Probably on the unemployment line," said Vicky Gregory on Tuesday. She and others have been told that their tower will likely be closed next month but no official word has come down. They expected letters to be sent to them by March 4th but that has not happened yet.
Still, they expect the closing to take place and they are not happy about it. "Safety is the issue," said Jeff Forman who has been an air traffic controller for more than three decades. Towers keep a watch on ground traffic and keep vehicles and aircraft separated.
The towers also help pilots in takeoffs and landings. Regional facilities handle airborne traffic.
Many airports operate without a tower already and pilots say it can be done in Hickory as well but say they are more comfortable with the tower in operation.
Jeff Forman is hoping lawmakers in Washington will look carefully at what and who is being affected by the cuts and will take action. "Be nice if the folks we elected to do our nation's business would do our nation's business and pass a budget."
If nothing changes, Forman and others in the tower think their fate will be sealed in April. "We get laid off," said Forman. "No more work."
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