ATC
Sleeping controllers prompt changes at the FAA
The fallout from what began with a single air traffic controller falling asleep

The fallout from what began with a single air traffic controller falling asleep on an overnight shift at Washington Reagan National Airport on March 23 continued to cascade late last month when the FAA unilaterally ended a practice whereby controllers voluntarily worked grueling shifts to accrue long weekends.

Along the way, Hank Krakowski, the head of the FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO), resigned, the practice of having some control towers manned overnight by only one person was ended, and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) president Paul Rinaldi began a nationwide “call to action” tour of ATC facilities. At the same time, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Babbitt on April 17 announced changes to controller scheduling practices that will allow controllers more time for rest between shifts.

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