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Honestly, given that you're seeing labor shortages in just about every industry, I have to imagine that labor shortages probably play a role in ATC being overwo

by atonse 3y ago

Honestly, given that you're seeing labor shortages in just about every industry, I have to imagine that labor shortages probably play a role in ATC being overworked? Can anyone comment on this? It feels like a more believable explanation given they wouldn't be immune, especially given it's such a high stress job.

flutas 3y ago
They also have a mandatory retirement age (56) and afaik, a lot of the more seasoned ATCs are getting near that age. Article from 2014 that touches on this, and goes into more depth about some reasoning. https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/15/blame-the-faa-for-air-traffic-controller-shortage-retirement-commnentary.html https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/15/blame-the-faa-for-air-traffi...
mym1990 3y ago
Edit: missed the part about the tower controllers specifically, but the below still holds I think. Partner is a FA, and can confirm that just about every department is understaffed and overworked. Unions can't strike due to Railway Labor Act and the current contracts under negotiations have been going for 2+ years...in which a lot has changed in the industry. There is little light at the end of the tunnel and my fear is that it will take one or more catastrophic incidents before something is actually done.
sjsdaiuasgdia 3y ago
Here's a report the Dept of Transportation released a couple months ago: https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/39530 https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/39530 I haven't read it in full yet, the "What We Found" section seems to focus on training being paused during covid and a general lack of organization-wide tools and visibility around staffing. I found that from this Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2023/06/26/faa-lacks-a-plan-for-air-traffic-control-shortage-per-government-report/?sh=4d90b95d3a26 https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2023/06/26... The Forbes article suggests the problem began with the 2013 federal budget fight and resulting sequestration, which cut some programs and eliminated others.

by atonse 3y ago

flutas 3y ago

They also have a mandatory retirement age (56) and afaik, a lot of the more seasoned ATCs are getting near that age. Article from 2014 that touches on this, and goes into more depth about some reasoning. https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/15/blame-the-faa-for-air-traffic-controller-shortage-retirement-commnentary.html https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/15/blame-the-faa-for-air-traffi...

mym1990 3y ago

Edit: missed the part about the tower controllers specifically, but the below still holds I think. Partner is a FA, and can confirm that just about every department is understaffed and overworked. Unions can't strike due to Railway Labor Act and the current contracts under negotiations have been going for 2+ years...in which a lot has changed in the industry. There is little light at the end of the tunnel and my fear is that it will take one or more catastrophic incidents before something is actually done.

sjsdaiuasgdia 3y ago

Here's a report the Dept of Transportation released a couple months ago: https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/39530 https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/39530 I haven't read it in full yet, the "What We Found" section seems to focus on training being paused during covid and a general lack of organization-wide tools and visibility around staffing. I found that from this Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2023/06/26/faa-lacks-a-plan-for-air-traffic-control-shortage-per-government-report/?sh=4d90b95d3a26 https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2023/06/26... The Forbes article suggests the problem began with the 2013 federal budget fight and resulting sequestration, which cut some programs and eliminated others.