The next year , the FAA started the Federal Contract Tower Program , placing contractors at five low-activity towers . Contract towers have lower costs , same safety levels as FAA-staffed towers , study finds . Comment: Contract towers began after Reagan 's 1981 firing of striking controllers .
Contract towers have lower costs , same safety levels as FAA-staffed towers , study finds . Comment: Contract towers began after Reagan 's 1981 firing of striking controllers .