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FAA will require more rest for air traffic controllers
"There are 1,000 fewer certified air traffic controllers working today than a decade ago, according to NATCA. As a result, many air traffic facilities are short-staffed, union president Rich Santa told a Senate subcommittee in November. Mandatory overtime — including six-day workweeks and 10-hour shifts — are routine, he said." (www.npr.org) Más...
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While requiring additional rest between shifts may seem like a good idea on the surface, the real problem is a lack of qualified controllers. The lack of staffing requires that controllers work more overtime. It very easy to mandate additional rest without thinking about the consequences. Using the same number of controllers and requiring additional rest will require one of two things. Either controllers will end up working more overtime, or there won't be adequate staffing to keep airport open 24/7. This reminds of a Deputy Secretary of Energy a few years ago that decided there were too many accidents involving ladders. He immediately proposed getting rid of all ladders which would have created way more safety problems that it would have solved.
I worked for the Dept. of Transportation in Canada as an assistant aircraft controller years ago and there was a big difference between the ATC in the USA vs. Canada--as far as working conditions. In those days a controller in Canada worked 3 days on, 4 days off, 4 days on, 3 days off. During the Canadian controller's 8 hour shift, he worked 1 hour on, 1 hour off. I don't recall how many vacation, holidays and sick days, but it was substantial for Canadians. By contrast a USA controller worked a regular 40 hour week--the same as a bank teller--and days off were much more limited. I don't recall any Canadian controller ever saying he was overworked. (I have no idea if the working conditions in Canada are still the same today.)
Depending on when you were an active assistant controller, I'd say it's getting worse than the US. In Canada, the rate of runway incursions doubled over a 12-year period ending in 2021, making it one the most concerning issues identified by the country's Transportation Safety Board (TSB). Nav Canada, the nation's air traffic control provider, recorded 471 total
runway incursions in Canada. So unless they've improved in the past 2 years, and frankly I don't see that happening in Canada, they are worse than the US, even with less aircraft to accommodate and while working fewer hours, as you clearly stated.
runway incursions in Canada. So unless they've improved in the past 2 years, and frankly I don't see that happening in Canada, they are worse than the US, even with less aircraft to accommodate and while working fewer hours, as you clearly stated.
Just happened to be chatting with an ATC guy yesterday, and they are working more hours with less staff, even though workload has gotten greater.
“ATC burnout is a real thing!”
I’m not in a tower, but I was considered very good in my field, and I know damned well that the more fatigued I got, the more likely I was to make mistakes.
Watching ATC in real time is a real eye opener, and they, and the flying public need more of them on the job.
“ATC burnout is a real thing!”
I’m not in a tower, but I was considered very good in my field, and I know damned well that the more fatigued I got, the more likely I was to make mistakes.
Watching ATC in real time is a real eye opener, and they, and the flying public need more of them on the job.
Well maybe NATCA is the problem! With an average hourly wage of $48.50 including gov'mint benefits, golden parachutes, every holiday known to man ... I'd expect a capable, competent and intelligent individual. I realize this job isn't for everyone, as it should be, but as they say, it's not rocket science baby! Technology in this field has come a very, very long way.. and planes are STILL running into each other! I don't buy it for 1 second. Same with pilots, the wrong people are be hired for the wrong job. Their aptitude doesn't fit the job profile, in both of these scenarios! Its as simple as that!
Besides the incompetence . Its stems to hire anyone and if they fail they file a lawsuit . The employees used to police themselves . well now its the inmates running the asylum . 1 hour on 1 hour off .
