FAA changes controller scheduling

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt have unveiled changes to air traffic controller scheduling practices that will allow controllers more time for rest between shifts.

“We expect controllers to come to work rested and ready to work and take personal responsibility for safety in the control towers. We have zero tolerance for sleeping on the job,” said LaHood. “Safety is our top priority and we will continue to make whatever changes are necessary.”

“Research shows us that giving people the chance for even an additional one hour of rest during critical periods in a schedule can improve work performance and reduce the potential for fatigue,” said Babbitt. “Taking advantage of the time you have to rest is also a professional responsibility.”

The new scheduling rules have already been put in place and will be fully in effect by the end of the week:

• Controllers will now have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts. Currently they may have as few as eight.
• Controllers will no longer be able to swap shifts unless they have a minimum of nine hours off between the last shift they worked and the one they want to begin.
• Controllers will no longer be able to switch to an unscheduled midnight shift following a day off.
• FAA managers will schedule their own shifts in a way to ensure greater coverage in the early morning and late night hours.

On Monday, FAA Administrator Babbitt and NATCA President Paul Rinaldi were in Atlanta, where they began their Call to Action on air traffic control safety and professionalism meetings. The goal of the Call to Action is to reinforce the need for all air traffic personnel to adhere to the highest professional standards, officials said.

Over the course of this week, they will visit air traffic facilities in and around the following cities: Atlanta; Dallas-Ft. Worth; Kansas City; Chicago; New York; and Washington, DC. The two will also visit the air traffic control training academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

Senior members of both FAA and NATCA leadership teams will also be visiting additional FAA facilities nationwide over the next few weeks.

In addition to changes in scheduling practices, the Call to Action effort will include the development of a fatigue education program to teach controllers the risks of fatigue and how to avoid it.

The FAA will also commission an independent review of the air traffic control training curriculum and qualifications to make sure new controllers are properly prepared.

NATCA will expand its own Professional Standards program nationwide which focuses on peer-to-peer education for controllers on how to maintain the highest degree of professional conduct.