More than 12,000 people have already submitted applications for the 1,400 open air traffic controller positions that the Federal Aviation Administration is looking to fill this week.
For months, unions representing air traffic controllers have complained about a shortage of controllers, and its impact.
The number of fully-certified air traffic controllers is at a 27-year low, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. And the NATCA indicated that the number fell again during the first three months of 2016.
The shortage of controllers results in long hours and fatigue for people who already work in a high-stress environment, according to experts.
Unions have stressed that safety for the estimated 2.2 million people who fly on commercial airlines is not a concern. Instead, the result for the flying public is an increased likelihood of delays, because there are only so many flights that controllers can safely handle at a time.
The FAA has opened a one-week window to apply from Aug. 8 through 15.
“Because of the serious nature of this work and zero margin for error, the training regimen and proficiencies needed to become an air traffic control specialist, are demanding,” the FAA notes on its webpage dedicated to this hiring process.
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The median annual wage for air traffic control specialists was $122,950 in May 2015, according to the FAA. The salaries for entry-level air traffic control specialists increase as they complete each new training phase, the FAA notes on its website.
