It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic War Memorial gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in San Carlos, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Burton Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Town or visit San Carlos Museum of History, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in San Carlos, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in San Carlos, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in San Carlos, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PRESS RELEASES. From San Mateo County Airport Manager, Gretchen Kelly, and Airport Communications Manager, Davi Howard on January 30th, 2025.Beginning on Saturday, February 1st, the San Carlos Federal Contract Tower will be unstaffed (ATC-Zero).The Airport, in collaboration with SCAPA and SCFC, has been in continuous communication with the FAA regarding the transition of air traffic service provid...
PRESS RELEASES. From San Mateo County Airport Manager, Gretchen Kelly, and Airport Communications Manager, Davi Howard on January 30th, 2025.
The Airport, in collaboration with SCAPA and SCFC, has been in continuous communication with the FAA regarding the transition of air traffic service providers for the San Carlos Federal Contract Tower. This morning, we were informed by FAA Headquarters that the SQL tower will be unstaffed (ATC-Zero) starting Saturday, February 1st.
The FAA has awarded a new contract for air traffic services at SQL to Robinson Aviation (RVA). However, the contract does not include locality pay to account for the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a result, RVA’s employment offers to current SQL controllers were significantly lower than their current compensation under SERCO. Understandably, all current controllers have declined RVA’s offers.
Our controllers last day at SQL will be Friday, January 31st – if you have the chance, please thank them for the excellent service they have provided at SQL for the past year.
Given that the FAA is ultimately responsible for ensuring air traffic services at SQL, we requested temporary FAA staffing for the tower—a solution currently being implemented at Eagle Airport in Colorado during its transition from SERCO to RVA. However, the FAA informed us this morning that they will not provide temporary personnel for SQL.
What Are We Doing?
To emphasize the critical need for high-quality ATC services at SQL—given our high traffic volume, IFR arrivals/departures, extensive flight training, complex airspace, and proximity to SFO—we encourage you to file FAA Hotline complaints to raise awareness of this urgent issue.
Important Reminders
We’ll keep you updated on this important issue as we learn more. Feel free to reach out with any questions at [email protected]; Gretchen Kelly, Airport Manager.
PRESS RELEASE. January 30th, 2025.
San Carlos, CA – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a new contract for air traffic services at San Carlos Airport (SQL) to Robinson Aviation (RVA). While this transition introduces operational changes, the County of San Mateo and its Airports division want to reassure the public that safety remains our highest priority. Airport operations at SQL continue without disruption, and pilots remain well-trained in non-towered airport procedures. Additionally, the surrounding airspace remains under the direct oversight of the FAA’s Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (NorCal TRACON).
Negotiations are actively underway to resolve this matter and ensure SQL continues to be staffed with highly qualified air traffic professionals. Both the FAA and RVA remain committed to upholding the highest safety and operational standards throughout this process.
The County of San Mateo and its Airports division appreciate the community’s patience and support during this transition and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the safety, efficiency, and reliability of air travel at San Carlos Airport.
The County and Airports understands that the controllers and RVA have nearly reached agreement, and there will likely be no lapse in air traffic control services.
Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Davi Howard, Airports communications manager; dhoward@smcgov,org
of Marcus & Millichap, one of the top multifamily brokerage teams in the U.S. specializing in wealth management through commercial real estate investments, announces it has acquired a second Bay Area in office in San Carlos, California, to accompany its existing owned office in Los Altos, California.In addition, the team increased the annual number of deals it closed in 2024 by more than 50 percent, facilitating 80 transactions this past year as...
of Marcus & Millichap, one of the top multifamily brokerage teams in the U.S. specializing in wealth management through commercial real estate investments, announces it has acquired a second Bay Area in office in San Carlos, California, to accompany its existing owned office in Los Altos, California.
In addition, the team increased the annual number of deals it closed in 2024 by more than 50 percent, facilitating 80 transactions this past year as compared to 50 in 2023.
“The purchase of our San Carlos office highlights our team’s deep integration in this geographical market and projections for activity ahead in the region,” notes Levin. “While the economic landscape has presented challenges for the industry, Levin Johnston has thrived over the last two years and sees a bright future on the horizon. The new office will allow us to better serve our clients and continue to be a market leader in Northern California. This expansion also sets a foundation to continue to grow our footprint outside the region as well.”
Additionally, to further an existing presence in Los Altos, a region where multifamily rental rates are trending up while vacancies are declining, Levin’s TayCon Properties has also purchased a property that is home to the Los Altos Town Crier and a restaurant in the city.
“By owning multiple properties in this market, we are demonstrating that we are truly committed to what lies ahead for this area and experiences of current and future residents,” notes Levin. “This also enables us to execute for our clients with increased understanding and certainty.”
In addition to the San Carlos and Los Altos offices, the team also has a presence in San Francisco and Palo Alto through Marcus & Millichap’s offices in those cities and is looking to add additional offices in Monterey County, the East Bay’s Piedmont area, San Francisco, and potentially Sacramento.
Levin Johnston’s ability to execute regardless of industry dynamics has enabled it to build on its accomplishments and close a considerably higher number of transactions in 2024 than it did in 2023, says Robert Johnston, Senior Managing Director of Levin Johnston.
“While most multifamily brokers closed less than 10 deals this year due to strict lender underwriting and an uncertain investment climate, our team was able to complete many more transactions due to our extensive experience, wide network, and long-term view of wealth creation for our high-net-worth and institutional investor clients,” says Johnston. “Our outlook for 2025 is one of continued expansion as the market moves further into recovery.”
Among the most noteworthy deals the team closed in 2024 on behalf of its private investor clients are two recent transactions in Alameda County, California: the sale of Vista Del Sol, a 73-unit apartment community in Pleasanton, for $21.1 million and the sale of Islander Apartments, a 38-unit multifamily community in Alameda, for $12.9 million.
“Completing these two transactions demonstrates multifamily investors’ interest in Alameda County, our in-depth knowledge of the market, and the breadth of our relationships with both buyers and sellers in the region,” says Johnston.
In other growth moves, Levin Johnston has launched a capital corporation and has added a self-storage expert to its team this year.
“Our team is seizing the opportunity to better serve a strong market that is on the rise,” concludes Levin. “We look forward to continuing this momentum throughout the Bay Area in 2025.”
Levin Johnston Group is one of the top multifamily brokerage teams in the U.S. specializing in wealth management through multifamily and commercial real estate investments. With a focus on growing and sustaining wealth for each and every Client, the Levin Johnston team is expert in investment sales and acquisitions, value-driven asset management, 1031 exchanges, and ongoing advisory services. Since its inception, Levin Johnston Group has directed more than $8 billion in transactions, resulting in stable risk-adjusted returns for investors throughout the U.S. Levin Johnston Group is part of Marcus & Millichap’s Palo Alto office.
A Silicon Valley airport that is on the approach to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will no longer have air traffic controllers guiding planes starting Saturday, the airport’s manager said in a Wednesday notice.Current controllers for the San Carlos Airport (SQL) have resigned after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changed air traffic contracts to a firm that would pay controllers “significan...
A Silicon Valley airport that is on the approach to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will no longer have air traffic controllers guiding planes starting Saturday, the airport’s manager said in a Wednesday notice.
Current controllers for the San Carlos Airport (SQL) have resigned after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changed air traffic contracts to a firm that would pay controllers “significantly” less than their current compensation, the notice states.
Airport manager Gretchen Kelly said its request for temporary FAA staffing for the tower was denied. The San Carlos Airport has more than 25 aviation-related businesses and about 500 aircraft, according to city data.
The letter came just hours ahead of a deadly crash of a military helicopter with an American Airlines jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.
Reached for comment by Fast Company, a spokesperson for the FAA said the contract was awarded to an industry staffing firm called Robinson Aviation (RVA), and that it’s RVA’s obligation to provide the staffing.
“Robinson Aviation (RVA) bid on and was awarded the FAA contract to provide air traffic services at San Carlos Airport,” the FAA statement said. “RVA is contractually responsible for ensuring the continuity of air traffic services when it takes over.”
The spokesperson added that RVA has been “unable to hire controllers” for the airport and said it was “working with RVA to develop mitigation strategies to maintain continuity of air traffic services.”
The agency has been operating without an administrator since Mike Whitaker stepped down on January 20. President Trump named a new FAA acting administrator, Chris Rocheleau, Thursday morning at a press conference related to Wednesday’s crash.
Kelly said the airport is “working closely” with the office of Congressman Kevin Mullin, who represents the area, “to push the FAA to meet its obligation to provide air traffic services at SQL.”
It’s also exploring options to return the control tower to its previous contractor or find FAA staffing.
This post has been updated with the FAA’s response to our inquiry.
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UPDATE: Friday, Jan 31, 2025 · 2:58:51 PM PST · Irontortoise It looks like the immediate crisis at San Carlos has been averted, at least for now -- from Raw Story: The staffing issue that nearly shut down San Carlos...
UPDATE: Friday, Jan 31, 2025 · 2:58:51 PM PST · Irontortoise
It looks like the immediate crisis at San Carlos has been averted, at least for now -- from Raw Story:
The staffing issue that nearly shut down San Carlos Airport is now being scrutinized in the wake of the deadly midair collisionWednesday night at Ronald Reagan National Airport that claimed the lives of all 67 involved.
In a public statement sent just hours before the disaster over Washington D.C., San Carlos Airport manager Gretchen Kelly announced that its towers would be unstaffed beginning Saturday, SF Gate reported. The small airfield sits approximately 12 miles from the San Francisco International Airport, the publication added.
Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) described the contract negotiations as “complicated” by the high cost of living in the Bay Area, the report stated.
However, the air traffic controllers and aviation services company overseeing their salaries reached an agreement Thursday, avoiding an employee walk-off.
“We are hopeful that air traffic services at San Carlos Airport will not be interrupted,” Kelly told SFGATE, while declining to elaborate on specific agreement details, including if a housing stipend had been matched as the air traffic controllers wanted.
The episode unfolded as a preliminary safety report over the air crash Wednesday night suggested that “abnormal air traffic control tower staffing issues” contributed to the cause, the publication reported.
This story about a relatively small general aviation airport in California’s Bay Area seems to have slipped under the radar due to the tragic air crash over the Potomac Wednesday night, but it might ultimately prove to be even more important for the future of safe air travel in this country. From the East Bay Times:
An airport on the flight path into San Francisco may lose its air traffic controllers as soon as this weekend following a pay dispute, raising safety concerns on the Peninsula.
The general aviation airport is one of a few in the region staffed by controllers contracted by the Federal Aviation Administration but not employed by the agency itself. The administration intended to switch contract providers to Robinson Aviation at the beginning of February, but all of the current controllers declined job offers because the new contract didn’t include additional pay to account for the high cost of living in the Bay Area.
…
A news release from the county of San Mateo stated that safety remained it’s top priority, and it was in negotiations to resolve the issue without disruptions. San Carlos Airport is under the oversight of the FAA’s Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control, or NorCal TRACON, which manages air traffic throughout the region.
AlterNet has a rather more alarming perspective on the situation, which goes way beyond a mere “pay dispute”:
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursdaythat beginning this weekend, the San Carlos Airport, which lies along the final approach to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), will no longer have anyone manning its control tower. The resignations came after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reassigned controllers' contracts to a firm that pays less.
Airport manager Gretchen Kelly said "understandably, all current controllers have declined [the firm's new] offers." The proposed compensation packages for air traffic controllers reportedly did not account for the Bay Area having thehighest cost of living in the nation, which is roughly 18% higher than the national average.
...
San Carlos Flight Center owner Alessandro Franco said air traffic control at the airport is "hugely important" due to its proximity to SFO and its typically busy airspace. Aircraft approaching the San Carlos Airport alternates between communicating with air traffic controllers at San Carlos and those at SFO. Now, he's worried the resignation of controllers will mean there is "another layer of safety that’s not going to be present."
"We’re a mile or two off the final approaches to SFO — it’s a complex space," Franco told the Chronicle. "This is a situation that puts us in limbo next to these busy airports."
Kelly has asked the FAA for additional staffing help for the San Carlos control tower, but her request was refused. Other airports in California are dealing with chronic shortages of air traffic controllers, which has become a worsening problem over the years.
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The San Carlos Airport in California is at risk of losing all its air traffic controllers within days due to a contract dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).Amid the dispute, the airport is considering the temporary use of unstaffed tower procedures.Why It MattersPublic concerns over air safety have risen after a deadly collision between an American Airlines plane and Army helicopter just outsid...
The San Carlos Airport in California is at risk of losing all its air traffic controllers within days due to a contract dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Amid the dispute, the airport is considering the temporary use of unstaffed tower procedures.
Public concerns over air safety have risen after a deadly collision between an American Airlines plane and Army helicopter just outside of Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
If San Carlos Airport loses its air traffic controllers, and air traffic towers are forced to go unmanned, it could create safety issues in the event of technical failures or poor weather conditions. These concerns are particularly relevant at busy airports like San Carlos, where pilots have reported heavy air traffic.
Airport manager Gretchen Kelly said in a statement that San Carlos Airport (SQL) could no longer have air traffic controllers guiding planes in and out of the airport by Saturday after the FAA changed contracts to a controller firm, Robinson Aviation (RVA), with lower pay that does not "account for the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area."
Kelly added that all the airport's controllers have declined RVA's offers and have resigned. Air traffic control services are currently provided to the airport by Serco.
"As a contingency, RVA is preparing to bring in controllers from other towers across the country to prevent an ATC-Zero (unstaffed tower) situation on Saturday," she said.
Kelly added that the airport requested temporary FAA staffing for the tower, similar to the solution being used at Eagle County Regional Airport in Colorado during its transition from Serco to RVA. She added that San Carlos Airport is also considering reinstating Serco for tower operations. However, she noted, "the FAA informed us this morning that they will not provide temporary personnel for SQL."
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If RVA is not able to bring in controllers from other towers, and the control tower is unmanned, it could create some safety issues at the airport. For example, unmanned air traffic towers rely on advanced technology, including cameras, radar, and remote communication, to manage flights, so system failures like camera malfunctions or connectivity issues can compromise situational awareness, leading to delays or safety risks.
And unlike traditional towers, remote systems may not provide the same clarity, especially in poor weather conditions, making quick decision-making more difficult. Additionally, latency in transmitting real-time data can be problematic in emergencies or high-traffic areas, further raising safety concerns.
It comes after a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter took place near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. The crash has sparked questions about safety protocols
The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. They included several U.S. figure skaters. Three soldiers were in the helicopter. There were no survivors from the crash.
The exact cause of the collision is currently under investigation. According to a report in The New York Times, the Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying too high and at least half a mile off its approved path, citing multiple people briefed on the matter.
The Associated Press also reports that at the time of the collision, there was one air traffic controller coordinating both helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes, citing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report.
San Carlos airport spokesperson Davi Howard said: "Pilots remain well-trained in non-towered airport procedures. Additionally, the surrounding airspace remains under the direct oversight of the FAA's Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control."
U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin told NBC Bay Area: "It is well known that the San Francisco Bay Area has a high cost of living, and federal agencies need to account for regional differences when evaluating how to establish contracts for critical services. I am pleased to learn that contract negotiations have moved in a positive direction and a resolution is forthcoming."
Negotiations are currently ongoing. However, Howard told NBC that San Mateo County and the airport understand that the controllers and RVA have nearly reached an agreement, and there will likely be no lapse in air traffic control services.
Mullin also said a resolution is forthcoming. This has not yet been confirmed.
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