For air traffic controllers, safety is always a top focus. Every individual aboard an airplane depends on the skills of the air traffic controllers to keep passengers safe and avoid airplane collisions. It is a stressful job that takes concentration and focus. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking a closer look at those who staff these important positions. Recent incidents of controllers falling asleep on the job have sparked the attention of the FAA, government officials, scientists and other safety experts. All groups agree that safety is compromised when an air traffic controller falls asleep or is suffering from extreme fatigue while being responsible for the safety and wellbeing of hundreds, even thousands, of lives.
The FAA is undergoing a "top to bottom" review of safety regulations, working conditions and working hours for controllers to determine what needs to be changed to ensure those in the control tower are alert and functioning at the high level of attentiveness that the position requires. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, "this is one of the most important safety jobs in America. We'll make sure that the right people - the most professional people - are in those control towers so that safety is always the No.1 priority."
As part of the FAA focus on air traffic controllers, the administration has worked with the controllers union, NASA and other groups discussing possible solutions to combat fatigue safety concerns. This group has proposed 12 changes to current controller regulations, including requiring two and a half hours of rest for controllers working the night shift, at least nine hours between shifts and allowing controllers to sleep during their break times.
Implementing time for rest into controller's shifts is the number one recommendation by many scientists. These changes could mean an overhaul of FAA air traffic controller policies, if implemented.
FAA Air Traffic Controller Rules Need to Change
Currently, it is against FAA policy for air traffic controllers to sleep while working a shift. Controllers who do so may face suspension or lose their job. Additionally, controllers' shifts often only allow 8 hours from the time one shift ends to the time the next begins. Shifts are also sporadic, ranging from night shifts one week to day shifts the next. These types of schedules lend themselves to creating an environment of sleep deprivation, according to sleep scientists.
Sleep deprivation has a similar affect on an individual to intoxication; reaction time slows down, alertness becomes muddled and concentration suffers. Cognitive function and motor performance become impaired, which may led to controller errors and safety becomes a major concern. In fact, the FAA's investigative group found that 70 percent of air traffic controllers are working shifts that create a dangerous level of fatigue.
So what action is the FAA taking? Currently, the administration is considering recommendations. There are strong arguments for and against allowing controllers rest while on the job. Opponents believe that there are other safety positions, like physicians, police officers and firefighters, who work long hours and it is just part of the job. However, even those positions often allow for periods of rest.
Until a change is made to the FAA regulations, air traffic controller fatigue will continue to be a concern. This has a potential impact on the safety of all persons traveling by air.
