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Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

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Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#2
Hundreds of qualified applicants were denied jobs through a "Biographical Assessment" that you can take yourself:

https://kaisoapbox.com/projects/faa_biographical_assessment/

Spend a bit of time taking it and it's clear what at least one reason for this shortage is.

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#4
post #2

Hundreds of qualified applicants were denied jobs through a "Biographical Assessment" that you can take yourself: https://kaisoapbox.com/projects/faa_biographical_assessment/ Spend a bit of time taking it and it's clear what at least one reason for this shortage is.

It was dropped in 2018

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#5
post #3

If they are understaff (namely giga honest, super solid competent people for air traffic ground control), you have to reduce air traffic as it is way too dangerous. For this kind of staff, it is not just a matter of "training", it is way more demanding.

Or you modernize the system (not just tech but potentially the procedures). Kind of stupid to increase air traffic and traffic density over decades and just expect the old systems to scale.

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#6
Ok? So we have tons of US citizens who want to be in high-skilled high-paying professions, bring more people into training programs and staff them? I assume people working high skilled high wage professions spend more on things like housing and food and other things -> economy boost. Where is the hangup?

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#7
post #3

If they are understaff (namely giga honest, super solid competent people for air traffic ground control), you have to reduce air traffic as it is way too dangerous. For this kind of staff, it is not just a matter of "training", it is way more demanding.

They won't cut traffic for the same reason they are understaffed: money. Raise pay until you have enough staff.

It's not always that simple, but sometimes it is. Not everyone could do it, but a lot of people could. You just have to pay them to attract them from more lucrative jobs (which includes training them to do it).

Instead they'll pay as little as they can, and occasionally pay to replace an aircraft.

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#8
post #3

If they are understaff (namely giga honest, super solid competent people for air traffic ground control), you have to reduce air traffic as it is way too dangerous. For this kind of staff, it is not just a matter of "training", it is way more demanding.

Seems like a job for computers, or at least heavily aided by computers.

Though this crash was probably just the helicopter flying the wrong altitude.

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#9
post #5
post #3

If they are understaff (namely giga honest, super solid competent people for air traffic ground control), you have to reduce air traffic as it is way too dangerous. For this kind of staff, it is not just a matter of "training", it is way more demanding.

Or you modernize the system (not just tech but potentially the procedures). Kind of stupid to increase air traffic and traffic density over decades and just expect the old systems to scale.

Modernizing a system while it is in use is high risk. Absurdly high risk. Might still be needed, but is not a cheap or quick thing.

Re: Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows

#10

Ok? So we have tons of US citizens who want to be in high-skilled high-paying professions, bring more people into training programs and staff them? I assume people working high skilled high wage professions spend more on things like housing and food and other things -> economy boost. Where is the hangup?

The hangup is that the current administration is asking them to resign en masse, not hiring more.
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