A Misleading Comparison
Posted by Publius on March 27th, 2009
Mark Twain famously wrote in his Autobiography
Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.”
With that in mind, consider a slide from the March 26 Core Comp briefing comparing pay for employees covered by the Core Comp Plan to some unspecified “market” (Slide #66 in the Employee Presentation and #73 in the Manager Presentation, available from http://www.faa.gov/region/aso/hrmd/sst/atnbroadcasts.htm).
This slide apparently shows what FAA employees under the Core Comp Plan are paid as the percent of some unspecified “market.” This slide would lead you to believe that FAA employees under Core Comp are overpaid by 5 to 10% relative to that unspecified “market.”
The authors must have certainly been beguiled in the arrangement of this figure. They might have even gotten an invitation for sheet cake in the AHR front office to celebrate their beguilement.
The slide is misleading, at the very least. And statistically … it seems to have been constructed to tell a specific story: Employees should be happy with Core Comp because relative to the “market,” they’re overpaid.
Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
There are three problems with this comparison.
First, which market is (or markets are) the basis of the comparison? There is no single national market in compensation, as recognized in the 1990 Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act (FEPCA). A common misconception is that the locality adjustments under FEPCA are determined according to cost-of-living fluctuations and other regional considerations. In fact, the adjustments under FEPCA are determined according to the cost of employment in a given area (see Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990).
“Cost of employment in a given area” means “local compensation market.” Just as all politics are local, all compensation is local. Comparing Washington DC compensation to south Alabama is improper, inappropriate, and technically incorrect in a compensation survey.
So which markets are used in this slide? On what basis is the 100% for the “market area” computed? Is it based on the average of compensation across market areas, occupations, and/or comparable organizations in the salary survey (ORC/SIRS)? The slide doesn’t say.
Beguilement and concealment. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Second, what goes into the FAA employee figures? Is it based on the average compensation across market areas, occupations, and/or organizational units?
Beguilement and concealment. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Third, if averages are used (as I suspect), they are sensitive to the underlying range of salaries and are probably skewed by a (relatively few) highly paid individuals. Throw in the K and L-bands at HQ under Core Comp, and the average pay will definitely shift upwards. Bad statistics.
A more appropriate comparison is based on the median: 50% below, 50% above for both the “market” and for covered FAA employees. Or, even better, the FAA should show the distribution of salaries for each job category relative to the market survey distributions for comparable jobs nationally. For example, I’m at the 50th percentile (nationally) according to my professional society’s bi-annual salary survey, not at 105%, for 2008.
Beguilement and concealment. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
But what else can we expect from AHR given that Core Comp was declared a success from the beginning?
More lies. More damned lies. More bad statistics.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:04 am
[...] Continued here: A Misleading Comparison [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Core Comp was designed for one, and only one, purpose: To reduce PC&B for the rank and file relative to the General Schedule. End of story.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I had a AF guy tell me that the FAA for core comp, use TV cable installers, network help lines, etc as the comparison market pay for our techs.
Lies, damned lies, and statistics
March 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
#3 above. And your point is?
March 27th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
The truth is that we don’t know to whom we are being compared. The FAA has steadfastly refused to provide data showing how or to whom the comparisons are being made. It is anecdotal that we know the ATSS’s are being compared to cable TV installers.
However, if true, it is an unfair comparison. ATSS’s require a much higher and broader level of knowledge/training, and shoulder a much higher level of responsibility (certification of NAS equipment). Cable TV installers don’t need much more than a few limited, basic, manual skills, and almost no real responsibility. There are more comparable professions to make a comparison.
For ATC’s, it would be like comparing a truck terminal controller (the person who assigns load pickups and deliveries to specific trucks/drivers) to an ATC. About the only comparison between the two is the word “controller”.
It is just another way the FAA justifies lowering salaries. As said above:
“Lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
#4 the point being that the FAA will make the comparison to whom ever they want.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
There you go again.
I’m not sure today’s controllers could qualify for a “truck terminal controller (the person who assigns load pickups and deliveries to specific trucks/drivers).
How much $$ do truck controllers make?
Air Traffic Controllers are mostly high school dropouts, alcoholics, substance abusers (just read the posts in this and other controller blogs) and always egotistical. The funny thing is that they’re just glorified traffic cops. Think about it. But, its a sexy career and they have a history of eventually getting there way in comparison to other government workers. In the private sector, obviously, many would be fired.
I don’t think any controllers could handle being cable TV installation techs Many AF guys couldn’t either. The pace is too fast. LOL
March 27th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Rax, jealous again, I see. You know the old adage… those that can’t control, manage.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
So Rax, I guess you couldn’t qualify as an AIr Traffic Controller.
and This is funny as hell
“I’m not sure today’s controllers could qualify for a “truck terminal controller (the person who assigns load pickups and deliveries to specific trucks/drivers)”
Been there, done that a really long time ago, about the same time I was an OTR driver
man, you make me laugh
March 27th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
When they did the comparison for Flight Service they compared us to filing clerks and 911 operators.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:20 am
….Air Traffic Controllers are mostly high school dropouts, alcoholics, substance abusers (just read the posts in this and other controller blogs) and always egotistical. The funny thing is that they’re just glorified traffic cops….
Damn Rax, you hit the nail on the frigging head. i will take my non-drinking, College degree, never had an illegal drug, ass and shoot myself. By the way a traffic cop is responsible for what? 8 people in a car? We are responsible for up to (airbus stat), 400 and change? Go back to minesweeper you idiot.
Tools like you designed NATpro, so we get payed to play effing video games!! That can be your next post Paul. F’nAA PAYS controllers to play Pacman!! We cant get on the internet at work and play Pacman, yet we get ASSIGNED to play it on a CBI course!!! Idiots.
March 28th, 2009 at 4:17 am
I read a book for four hours while NATproII played with itself. I may have set a new record low score.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Hey Rax (#7 above)…most high school grads know when to use “there” and when to use “their” when they are writing a sentence (…eventually getting there way in comparison…). Keep studying Rax. English is hard! And by the way, “its” in the last sentence should be “it’s”.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Rax says:
“In the private sector, obviously, many would be fired.”
It never ceases to amaze when some federal management schlub or career federal employee throws the “private sector” in to his or her “argument, and then makes these type claims about firings.
Hey schulb, did you actually buy Blakey’s jive about running it like a business ? You ever work in the private sector schulb ?
I worked in the private sector long enough to know that I like pushing tin for the taxpayers and drawing a federal pay check, with health benefits and pension, a lot better.
So don’t tell me about the private sector schlub. My guess is you’ve never spent any time working in it.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Rax, I’ll bet that you’re really Frank from the previous Follies article.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Frank was a better writer.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
You dick shines are so easy to punk. You know it take thick skin in this profession, sounds like y’all don’t have it. Too sensitive. Your panties get all bound up.
Here from todays TMB is Johnny Carr’s opinion of you controllers; “….as for looking like spoiled children…dude. It’s about 28 years too late for that observation. You have been a greedy, selfish, spoiled, law-breaking, early shove taking, sick leave abusing pain in the ass for a quarter of a century. It’s too late to make nice now.”
#9 You laugh because you know it’s true!
#14 “I worked in the private sector long enough to know that I like pushing tin….” Of course you do. Pushing tin isn’t real work. It’s an ego trip, especially if you’re any good. It can make your dick hard. I don’t know about you however. I hear your a weak stick and you can’t get in a 7 mi. hole. Oh well, you’ll probably survive, but you’re afraid to work the radar and hate your job don’t you?
And the pay? Great! The benefits? Can’t beat them! The hours. Are you kidding me? (TOP)? You probably got 2 days in the private sector and knew better the first day.
God bless all of you. I hope you all get a big raise, back pay, get to make your own schedule, get to wear loin cloths or shorts to work and go nude when you get there. From there you can open up negotiations to be able to jack off while on the position. No jism on the consoles however.
I’m sure there’ll be something to complain about however.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Commenting on these blogs has provided me hours of entertainment. It reminds me of talking in the break room. You know, every one was as an expert an something, or everything. You could say **** just to say it. Same thing here. It’s so easy to flame just a little bit and watch the fiery reaction. Beautiful. I let out one of those throw your head back and howl like an insane person belly laughs. In fact many people think that people who throw their head back to laugh are usually insane. Whoa. I better stop here or someone will take me away.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Rax, Rax, Rax,
Again with the English language…”I hear your a weak stick”. Buddy, spell check doesn’t catch everything. I don’t know if you’re (or as you would put it “your”) an FAA manager, but you sure do write like one.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Make your dick hard….I’d suggest viagra schlub.
March 29th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
ATC is a “sexy career”?
I guess if you think getting a savage cornholing is “sexy” you might have a point.
March 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Wow, it sounds as if a controller’s life is like a prison term. “Savage cornholing”, my heavens. Do you have to toss the union boss’ salad on a regular basis or just when he wants it?
March 29th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hey, pal… you’re the one who thinks ATCs are sexy. If the thought of tossing a man’s salad hits your Sexy Button™, knock yourself out.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Pushing tin isn’t real work ?
What is ?
Digging ditches in the private sector that you keep yammering about ?
Rax also says:
“You know it take thick skin in this profession, sounds like y’all don’t have it”
Is that what it take, thick skin ?
And tortured syntax….dope.
In your case, it sounds more like a thick skull.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I’ve said it before, let’s run it like a private sector business. Then fully 80% of the flms will be on the food stamp line. Who do you think the private sector employer is going to keep around? The people moving airplanes, or the dip**** hiding from traffic answering the phone and managing the break board for six figures. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I’ve got news for ya ole maxie, most of you HS educated, overpaid, underworked, traffic dodging morons wouldn’t be qualifed to manage a Burger King in the private sector, so don’t be getting uppity.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Tipical FAA Manglement, hide in the shadows, spew bull**** and show no balls. If they had any balls or brains they would not be in manglement to begin with. Hey DOOR KNOB I’m talking to you. I’m sorry I meant Hey FLM, What the ****, it’s the same thing.
JB
April 1st, 2009 at 6:07 am
Smitty, what makes you think I’m a supe?
Are you one of the guys like Burger Flipper that thinks you have a “sexy job”?
LMAO
April 1st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Max, did I mention your name anywhere in my post? No, STFU as I wasn’t talking to you.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
The the million dollar question will be over pay .
Has any other FAA employee had their pay cut 30% the last 3yrs ??
Has any other FAA employee had their pay frozen the last 3yrs ??
Has any other Federal employee had their pay cut 30% the last 3yrs ??
Has any other Federal employee had their pay frozen the last 3yrs ??
If it was really about the cost structure & the budgets of the FAA/ATO then
why has no other group ( management ?!? ) shared in the sacrifice ???????
a GS-14 at ZHU in 1998 made $69,000 – 90,000
a GS-15 at ZHU in 1998 made $81,000 – 106,000
a GS-14 in Houston 2009 earns $107,000 – 139,000
a GS-15 in Houston 2009 earns $126,000 – 153,000
national base AT-11 pay band is $71500 – 102800
a newly certified CPC at ZHU currently starts at $92,000
the top of the CPC band is $132000
adjusted for inflation a new CPC makes less than one did 11yrs ago
$69,000 in 1998 dollars adjusted for inflation to 2009 is about $95,600
(that’s a fairly conservative 3% estimate)
a newly minted FLM at ZHU starts at $158,000-160,000
the top of the FLM pay is $177,000
$81,000 in 1998 dollars adjusted for inflation to 2009 is about $112,200
that’s about a 72% – 92% pay disparity from a new CPC to a FLM
even at the top of the band it’s a 26% difference
When in the 42 history of the FAA has a first line operations supervisor
ever made 75% more than a controller ?????
are FLMs 74-92% more productive than CPCs ??
are FLMs 74-92% more efficient than CPCs ??
are FLMs 74-92% more essential to the mission of the ATO than CPCs ??
Where in the private sector does a first line manager make 72-92% more than
the employees he/she supervises ??
Often when I come in to work Sunday mornings at 7am there’s 3 FLMs at
the sups desk “supervising” 7-10 CPCs
that’s $480-530k managing 7-10 people !!
Where in the private sector are the staffing ratios like that ???
I know it may be an uphill battle in the current economic environment but
NATCA needs to bring this issue front & center to the FAA an do their best
to rectify the pay issue !!!
November 8th, 2009 at 6:32 am
any updates coming ???