December 23, 2009

FAA Party: Wasted $5 Million


As Americans from coast to coast are struggling to stay afloat in this recession, the FAA used $5 million of our government tax money to throw what critics are calling a highly questionable holiday party.

The FAA brought 3.600 of its employees out to an Atlanta conference, which went on for three weeks and cost millions of dollars. THe FAA says the confference was work related, used for training staff on a new contract system. But critics and watchdogs say it was nothing but a big party, and ABC reportedly even has undercover footage showing the wild times and debauchery. The details uncovered in the ABC report are looking quite scandalous in fact, if you read the extended report below. This is one party the FAA may wish it had skipped.

FAA Party: Wasted $5 Million
abcnews

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spent five million dollars this month to bring 3, 600 managers to a conference in Atlanta that FAA whistleblowers and critics say was little more than an excuse to throw a three-week-long Christmas party..."It's the wrong time to spend five million dollars on a Christmas party for anybody's employees, especially in the government," said Tom Schatz, the president of Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-profit watchdog group...

FAA Party: Wasted $5 Million

Posted at December 23, 2009 4:25 AM
Comments

Not surprised! Just another example of the arrogance and short memory span of the Washington "elite". How quickly do those we elect and their appointees forget they work for us.
Take back the House and Senate in 2010!

Posted by: Ron N at December 23, 2009 9:07 AM

Washington D.C. needs to clean house! This wasteful spending is outrageous not just during the most difficult times in 75 years...but anytime! Obama......is this what you call change? All the White House partying that has been going on for the past year.....who's paying for that. At least Bush laid low and minimized the $$$ spent on White House parties!

Posted by: shelley at December 23, 2009 9:48 AM

Many Americans are suffering and can barely afford to buy groceries while the White House is having many parties. Washington, D.C. needs to take a pay cut like all of the other Americans.

The person responsible for this should have to pay the money back to the people of the United States. This is our money that we work hard for to support them. Without the working people, there would be no taxes to pay for their lifestyle.

Posted by: Kim at December 23, 2009 10:03 AM

There is not doubt the american people have lost control over its goverment. I'm so sick of trying to get buy on less and have the people who caused all the financial problems continue to waste tax payers dollars. The best thing to do is on reelection day vote them all out of office maybe this will get the message to them.

Posted by: Dave Stout at December 23, 2009 10:44 AM

There is not doubt the american people have lost control over its goverment. I'm so sick of trying to get buy on less and have the people who caused all the financial problems continue to waste tax payers dollars. The best thing to do is on reelection day vote them all out of office maybe this will get the message to them.

Posted by: Dave Stout at December 23, 2009 10:45 AM

Who signed off on these exspences? Whom ever did should be droped out of an airplane for entertainment and scientific study in how your body reacts to sudden splat.Who the hell do you think you are (FAA) spending money that you know could do alot better good than boosting your egos. Oh yea ! thats right forgot we have a new diversified Federal Give-A- Ment now.Excuse me I'm sorry for being so non-understanding and
non-sympathetic to point out our stupid government officials. Government official now thats an oxymoroon.

Posted by: Timma at December 23, 2009 11:13 AM

TEA PARTY 2010 - 2012 vote them all out

Posted by: Jeff at December 23, 2009 11:19 AM

maybge it's time to stop thinking of a vote for an independant as a wasted vote, because it really seems like a rep. or dem. vote is the real wasted one.

Posted by: mike at December 23, 2009 11:34 AM

What american Goverment ?

Posted by: Allen Todd at December 23, 2009 11:35 AM

$100 a pound Kobe beef and lobster by the ton. BO is really making up for those hard times organizing the poor. What a hypocrite and liar he turned out to be. Give him one term. That is what we must do.

Posted by: morgan not jp at December 23, 2009 11:45 AM

$100 a pound Kobe beef and lobster by the ton. BO is really making up for those hard times organizing the poor. What a hypocrite and liar he turned out to be. Give him one term. That is what we must do.

Posted by: morgan not jp at December 23, 2009 11:46 AM

Nevada is Sorry, That we gave The American people Harry Reid, Sorry Forgive us.

Posted by: Allen Todd at December 23, 2009 12:14 PM

Nevada is Sorry, That we gave The American people Harry Reid, Sorry Forgive us.

Posted by: Allen Todd at December 23, 2009 12:16 PM

Nevada is Sorry, That we gave The American people Harry Reid, Sorry Forgive us.

Posted by: Allen Todd at December 23, 2009 12:17 PM

Nevada is Sorry, That we gave The American people Harry Reid, Sorry Forgive us.

Posted by: Allen Todd at December 23, 2009 12:18 PM

This ain't the first time, won't be the last. There are 2 sides to every story. Nonetheless, the FAA Inspector General will launch an investigation, if warranted. If malfeasance is found then the FAA Comissioner, his/her deputy, and entire chain of command ought to be disciplined either through dismissal from governmenrt service, suspended, or other severe adminstrative sanction. If blatnat fraud, waste, and abuse was perpetrated by any appointed and career employee/s, he/she/they should be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law.

Posted by: BrettW at December 23, 2009 12:18 PM

I was there. It was three one week training sessions, 8-9 hours of training each day. A different group of people attneded each week. While some could argue the information could have been shared by other means, delivering the message in person so everyone hears the same thing is a tried and true business practice. The "partying" that is being focused on was a minority of participants during off duty time.

Posted by: Ed at December 23, 2009 12:30 PM

Ed is correct. Three different groups, one per week. ABC's segment did staet the HOTEL was so grateful for the business it helped throw the parties - AFTER HOURS!

Posted by: Gadzooks! at December 23, 2009 2:02 PM

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