CTLR COMPLAINT REFERENCE FAC MANNING. ONE MAN OPERATION DURING FIRST AND LAST HOURS OF ATCT OPERATION.

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A DANGEROUS ILLUSION OF AIR TFC SAFETY EXISTS AT ISLA GRANDE ARPT. THE SITUATION BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE CTLRS' STRIKE IN 1981 WHEN TWR STAFFING WAS REDUCED TO ONLY 2 CTLRS. HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE TWR WERE ALSO REDUCED FROM 14 TO 8 HRS; BUT PUBLIC DEMAND SOON MADE IT NECESSARY TO STAY OPEN 9 HRS. THE PAYMENT OF OVERTIME IS AVOIDED BY HAVING ONE CTLR WORK THE FIRST HR ALONE; AND HAVING ONE CTLR WORK THE LAST HR ALONE. TFC DROPPED DRAMATICALLY AT ISLA GRANDE ARPT AFTER THE STRIKE; HOWEVER; IT HAS BEEN SLOWLY INCREASING. ACTUAL TFC COUNT LOGS FOR 3/88 REVEAL THAT DURING THE FIRST HR THE TWR WAS OPEN THERE WAS A HIGH OF 55 OPS; AND A HIGH OF 38 OPS DURING THE LAST HR. THERE WAS ONLY 1 CTLR ON DUTY DURING EACH OF THESE PERIODS. SEE ATTACHED TFC COUNT EXCERPT. IN ADDITION; CTLRS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING ARSA SVC WHICH REQUIRES INCREASED COORD WITH SJU TWR AND SJU CERAP. PERHAPS NOT SURPRISINGLY; CTLRS OFTEN DISCOURAGE PLTS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO ENHANCE AIR SAFETY. CTLRS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MATTER BEFORE. IT WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE FAC ADVISORY BOARD IN 3/87 AND REFERRED TO THE REGL OFFICE IN ATL IN 4/87. NO FURTHER ACTION HAS OCCURRED UNTIL NOW. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT AT LEAST 2 CTLRS BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES WHEN ISLA GRANDE TWR IS OPEN.