FAA plans air traffic controller hiring surge (12,500)

[The Straight Story]

FAA plans air traffic controller hiring surge

By David McGlinchey
[e-mail]

Federal Aviation Administration officials unveiled a plan Tuesday to replace three-quarters of the air traffic controller workforce by hiring 12,500 controllers during the next decade.

The hiring surge is designed to offset the effects of an anticipated wave of retirements. FAA officials have projected that 11,000 air traffic controllers will leave the agency by 2014. There are currently 15,000 active FAA controllers.

Agency officials plan to hire 1,500 more controllers than are departing to account for increased air traffic and a 5 percent failure rate in the training program.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1204/122104d1.htm

[lostnfound]

1. From what I understand 5% is a serious underestimate

ATC is a very, very tough job--very stressful and unhealthy lifestyles abound