What Happened: Elon Musk, the billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has called on retired air traffic controllers to consider returning to work. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted the shortage of skilled air traffic controllers, stating, “There is a shortage of top-notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.”
This appeal comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively recruiting entry-level air traffic controllers. The application window is open now through March 17.
FAA Streamlines Hiring Process: U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Thursday that the FAA is simplifying its hiring process. The previous 8-step process will be reduced to 5 steps, cutting more than four months off the hiring timeline. Duffy emphasized the importance of attracting top talent, stating, “We want the best and brightest to get expedited entry into the academy, and as an incentive to apply, we will be increasing the pay for those in training.”
To further entice candidates, the starting salary for trainees at the FAA’s academy will increase by 30%, pushing the average salary for certified professional controllers to over $160,000 per year. Duffy added, “This administration is committed to solving the air traffic control shortage that has existed for too long.”
Background on FAA Staffing: Earlier this month, Duffy revealed that the FAA employs approximately 45,000 people. The new administration has laid off fewer than 400 probationary employees who had been with the agency for less than a year. These layoffs did not include air traffic controllers or critical safety personnel.
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union confirmed that 130 probationary employees represented by the union were terminated. The affected roles included aviation safety assistants, environmental protection specialists, management and program analysts, and maintenance mechanics, among others.
Rising Demand for Air Traffic Controllers:The push to recruit more air traffic controllers follows a series of recent aviation incidents. In January, a collision between an army helicopter and a plane near Reagan Washington National Airport resulted in 67 fatalities. The FAA is currently facing a significant staffing shortfall, with nearly 3,500 fewer air traffic controllers than its targeted levels.
