Coming in for a landing, it wouldn't occur to you. Stepping off the plane, it probably wouldn't cross your mind. Grabbing your luggage, you wouldn't know it--but there are some major changes going on behind the scenes at the Abilene Regional Airport, and many other airports for that matter.
"As a result of sequestration, Abilene Regional Airport's tower, which is an FAA tower, is on the list for reduced hours", says Don Green, director of the Abilene Regional Airport.
TSA and air traffic control are two federal agencies that are feeling the wound left behind by the deep sequester cuts, forcing the pilots to pick up the slack.
"It actually becomes an uncontrolled airport, which a lot of pilots, especially local pilots, fly in and out of all the time. And what that means is you don't have a controlling agency", explains Bob McMillan, of Abilene Aero.
When Bob McMillan isn't managing operations from his office, he's no stranger to the runway. Having spent nearly 40 years in the pilot seat, he says the upcoming changes shouldn't affect the pilot's job of keeping passengers safe.
"It doesn't really affect anything other than communication. What the pilot will do as they're approaching the airfield, from about ten miles out, is make a call stating he's approaching the runway", says McMillan.
While airport patrons won't see the impact of the budget cut changes, some who work there will--and depending on what other changes may come, it could leave federal employees on the outside looking in.
"As a result of sequestration, Abilene Regional Airport's tower, which is an FAA tower, is on the list for reduced hours", says Don Green, director of the Abilene Regional Airport.
TSA and air traffic control are two federal agencies that are feeling the wound left behind by the deep sequester cuts, forcing the pilots to pick up the slack.
"It actually becomes an uncontrolled airport, which a lot of pilots, especially local pilots, fly in and out of all the time. And what that means is you don't have a controlling agency", explains Bob McMillan, of Abilene Aero.
When Bob McMillan isn't managing operations from his office, he's no stranger to the runway. Having spent nearly 40 years in the pilot seat, he says the upcoming changes shouldn't affect the pilot's job of keeping passengers safe.
"It doesn't really affect anything other than communication. What the pilot will do as they're approaching the airfield, from about ten miles out, is make a call stating he's approaching the runway", says McMillan.
While airport patrons won't see the impact of the budget cut changes, some who work there will--and depending on what other changes may come, it could leave federal employees on the outside looking in.
