4 ms·

This assumes that controllers over 56 years old are statistically "unsafe," presumably due to perceived cognitive speed and ability. So unsafe that the concern

This assumes that controllers over 56 years old are statistically "unsafe," presumably due to perceived cognitive speed and ability. So unsafe that the concern overrides experience, familiarity with systems, and other key benefits of tenure. I'd love to see that data.

toomuchtodo 8mo ago
My understanding is the 56 year old age limit is due to burnout and other accumulated negative risk factors from the profession. You have a shelf life like a professional athlete due to the sustained high cognitive load and stress of the workload. Replies open to additional references and citations. It would make an interesting reality TV show to have a group of 60-70 year olds attempt to perform a simulated 8 hour ATC shift under "live fire" conditions. https://web.archive.org/web/20260323212332/https://www.crisisjournal.org/article/88000-air-traffic-controller-health-and-well-being.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20260323212332/https://www.crisi... https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/Fatigue_Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/Fatigue_Report.pdf https://news.siu.edu/2025/07/072225-siu-research-focuses-on-air-traffic-controllers-mental-health.php https://news.siu.edu/2025/07/072225-siu-research-focuses-on-...
irishcoffee 8mo ago
An elderly woman ran into a bus stop at 70mph, killing 4 people. Their claim was “I couldn’t stop, I don’t know what happened” They were given 200 hours community service. I think this happened today.
- toomuchtodo 8mo ago
  78 years old at the time, now 80, sentenced to probation. https://people.com/family-four-killed-bus-stop-outrage-driver-likely-avoid-jail-11931048 https://people.com/family-four-killed-bus-stop-outrage-drive... https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-arrests-driver-fatal-vehicle-collision-24-026 https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-arrests-driver-... (SFPD Case #240-160-569)
- mikkupikku 8mo ago
  Why you got to pick an asian woman as your example though?
  - irishcoffee 8mo ago
    I was trying to show that elderly people probably shouldn't be air traffic controllers by providing an extremely recent example of an elderly person ending the lives of an entire family using a car. I didn't mention that the driver was asian. You did. :)
jjk166 8mo ago
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/58231 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/58231

toomuchtodo 8mo ago

My understanding is the 56 year old age limit is due to burnout and other accumulated negative risk factors from the profession. You have a shelf life like a professional athlete due to the sustained high cognitive load and stress of the workload. Replies open to additional references and citations. It would make an interesting reality TV show to have a group of 60-70 year olds attempt to perform a simulated 8 hour ATC shift under "live fire" conditions. https://web.archive.org/web/20260323212332/https://www.crisisjournal.org/article/88000-air-traffic-controller-health-and-well-being.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20260323212332/https://www.crisi... https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/Fatigue_Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/Fatigue_Report.pdf https://news.siu.edu/2025/07/072225-siu-research-focuses-on-air-traffic-controllers-mental-health.php https://news.siu.edu/2025/07/072225-siu-research-focuses-on-...

irishcoffee 8mo ago

An elderly woman ran into a bus stop at 70mph, killing 4 people. Their claim was “I couldn’t stop, I don’t know what happened” They were given 200 hours community service. I think this happened today.

toomuchtodo 8mo ago
78 years old at the time, now 80, sentenced to probation. https://people.com/family-four-killed-bus-stop-outrage-driver-likely-avoid-jail-11931048 https://people.com/family-four-killed-bus-stop-outrage-drive... https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-arrests-driver-fatal-vehicle-collision-24-026 https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-arrests-driver-... (SFPD Case #240-160-569)
mikkupikku 8mo ago
Why you got to pick an asian woman as your example though?
- irishcoffee 8mo ago
  I was trying to show that elderly people probably shouldn't be air traffic controllers by providing an extremely recent example of an elderly person ending the lives of an entire family using a car. I didn't mention that the driver was asian. You did. :)

jjk166 8mo ago

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/58231 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/58231