FAA Announces Controller Scheduling Changes

April 17, 2011— -- Changes to air traffic controller scheduling that will allow for more time for rest between shifts were announced on Sunday by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt.

These changes come after another air traffic controller fell asleep on the job -- the fifth time since early March.

"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 Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "Safety is our top priority and we will continue to make whatever changes are necessary."

Among the changes, controllers will now have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts, and they will no longer be able to switch to an unscheduled midnight shift following a day off. Additionally, FAA managers will schedule their own shifts in a way to optimize coverage in the early morning and late night hours.

The most recent incident of a controller asleep on the job occurred during the midnight shift in Miami, Fla. did not cause any harm, and the controller was working alongside others, but it was considered the final straw in the string of incidents since March.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledge that there is a widespread problem with fatigue among controllers and that the organization must institute changes in work schedules.

"We are taking important steps today that will make a real difference in fighting air traffic controller fatigue. But we know we will need to do more. This is just the beginning," FAA Administrator Babbitt said before Sunday's announcement.

In total there have now been at least seven incidents since the start of the year in which a controller is believed to have fallen asleep on the job on the midnight shift. One case occurred earlier this week in Reno when a controller missed a radio call from a plane carrying a seriously ill passenger.

Though other controllers attempted to help, the pilot ultimately had to land the plane by himself.