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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Strike: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions, beliefs, and perspectives of former air traffic controllers who were terminated from employment with the Federal Aviation Administration for participating in the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike of 1981. The study examines the perceptions of the former controllers to determine their feelings toward the justification for going on strike over 13 years ago. This is relevant in light of recent events including the lifting of the ban against rehiring PATCO controllers by the Clinton Administration.</p> <p>The data collected for this study were obtained with an opinionnaire mailed via a newsletter to former controllers who were members of the PATCO union. It was expected that a majority of the controllers would feel their actions of 1981 were justified. This feeling, however, would be mitigated by the fact that the controllers were terminated for their actions and sacrificed their careers with the decision to strike.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Aeronautical Science
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Graduate Studies
Year
1994

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Durnin, Steven E.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Marvin L. Smith
  • Donald Hunt
  • William Mason

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/292
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1065

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Durnin, Steven E.. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Strike: A Retrospective Analysis. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 1994. https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/292