Posted on 01/30/2025 11:21:39 AM PST by DallasBiff
Hiring in 2024
A few weeks ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it had exceeded its hiring goal for 2024. The agency hoped to hire 1,800 controllers in Fiscal Year 2024, and it ended the year with 1,811 hires. Having reached this goal, 2024 was one of the best years for hires in almost 10 years.
According to the FAA, this year’s hires bring the total number of controllers in training to almost 3,400. This includes all stages of training, from initial instruction to specialized airspace training. The active controller workforce in the United States (US) totals more than 14,000.
What are the requirements to be an air traffic controller?
Be a U.S. citizen
Be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (Required for males born after 12/31/1959)
Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application period (with limited exceptions)
Have either one year of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of both
Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs
(Excerpt) Read more at simpleflying.com ...
1,800 for a workforce of 14,000? Is the turn-over rate that high or is this just a special case?
easy peasy .. do you need to pass a drug test?
Or pass a physical, or not have a felony record?
I loved a comment in the “comments” section of the linked webpage. The comment was posted in November 2024 and the commenter stated, “This is a very difficult job to learn. But once you finish training and get about 2-3 years on your own then it becomes the easiest job to do — unless there’s weather.”
It “becomes the easiest job to do?” Really. “easiest job.” Just wow.
Democrats are just arsonists in every industry.
It is a very high pressure job.
I know a couple that work here in Nashua at the FAA center.
They are older guys.
They went through training in the USAF.
I also know a guy who is at Miami International. He also did two years in the USAF. One year in Baghdad during the war.
The Nashua Community College just started a program for FAA ATC with a two year degree. Probably with on the job internship at the FAA center here in Nashua. FYI, it controls all the flights coming from Europe and everything east Cleveland.
From what I understand, it is a very difficult job.
You have to take a battery of general aptitude and temperament tests and then they pick a couple thousand (out of 10’s of thousands) to go to a multi-month training assignment in Oklahoma.
In Oklahoma, 40% will wash out.
I almost became an ATC in the mid 80’s That sounds like what I went through. I took an aptitude test and went to visit a tower in Lubbock. They said more than likely, you would end up in a small tower like Alexandria, Louisiana or Fort Worth Center. Eventually, I went back to graduate school. I just wonder how my life would have been different.
Probably hired a bunch of monkeys to perform the job.
What do you mean by monkeys?
-PJ
And taking questions
-PJ
He’s particularly concerned that the ATC allowed the helo to be at the same altitude as the plane on a known descent.
From what I understand, as we were getting over Covid and people started traveling by air more & more, there was a severe shortage of flight controllers. Many of the older and more experienced people may have decided to retire during Covid & others may have found less stressful work & never came back.
-PJ
Under president biden, was there an active DEI hiring and promotions campaign at the FAA?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Searching the web...
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, under President Biden, the FAA has actively worked to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within its workforce. The Biden administration has prioritized DEI initiatives across federal agencies, including the FAA, with an emphasis on creating a more inclusive environment and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups.
For the FAA, this has included efforts to diversify its workforce in aviation-related fields, which have historically been underrepresented in terms of women, minorities, and other marginalized groups. The FAA has engaged in recruitment programs aimed at attracting diverse talent, such as partnerships with educational institutions, community outreach programs, and mentorship opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Additionally, the administration has encouraged federal agencies, including the FAA, to set clear DEI goals, track progress, and adjust policies to ensure fairness in hiring and promotions. These efforts align with the broader push from the Biden administration to implement DEI practices across federal agencies, ensuring they reflect the diversity of the nation.
While the FAA has made some progress in these areas, continued reporting and updates on their specific actions may be found in their official reports or press releases.
During the Biden Administration, did the U.S. Army, Federal Aviation Administration and / or American Airlines have formal recruiting and job promotion goals to help ensure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals were met?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, under the Biden administration, the U.S. Army, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and American Airlines have all emphasized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in their recruitment and promotion strategies, though the specific goals and measures differ by organization. Here’s an overview of how each has approached DEI in terms of recruiting and job promotion:
1. U.S. Army
The U.S. Army has been committed to increasing diversity within its ranks, focusing on improving recruitment from underrepresented groups. The Army has pursued initiatives aimed at:
Increasing Diversity in Recruitment: Efforts have included targeted outreach to minority communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, aiming to create a more inclusive military force that reflects the diversity of the U.S. population.DEI Training and Leadership Programs: The Army has incorporated DEI objectives into leadership training, emphasizing inclusivity and ensuring equal opportunities for advancement within the military.Promotion of Diverse Leadership: The Army has set goals around improving diversity in leadership positions, with programs intended to address disparities in officer ranks, particularly among women and minorities.2. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The FAA, as part of its commitment to DEI, has established goals related to both recruitment and promotion within the agency:
Diversity in Aviation Workforce: The FAA has worked to ensure that its workforce more closely mirrors the demographics of the U.S., especially in aviation-related technical roles, which have traditionally been male-dominated. They’ve focused on increasing the representation of women, racial minorities, and other underrepresented groups.Job Training and Career Advancement: The FAA has offered mentorship programs and targeted initiatives aimed at improving retention and promotion opportunities for underrepresented groups within the aviation industry.Inclusive Work Environment: The FAA has been working toward creating an inclusive workplace where all employees have equal access to career development opportunities and are treated equitably.3. American Airlines
American Airlines has had a strong focus on DEI, with formal goals and initiatives aimed at ensuring diversity in recruitment and promotion:
Diversity Recruitment Goals: American Airlines has put measures in place to ensure that their hiring practices target underrepresented groups, including racial minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. They’ve made efforts to increase the diversity of pilots, engineers, and leadership staff.Leadership Diversity: The airline has specific goals related to increasing diversity within leadership positions. This includes initiatives to improve the promotion and retention of diverse employees and creating an inclusive environment that supports career advancement for all.DEI Programs: American Airlines has implemented various DEI programs that focus on employee education, promoting diverse talent, and ensuring an equitable work environment where all employees have the opportunity to thrive.Summary
All three organizations—the U.S. Army, the FAA, and American Airlines—have placed significant emphasis on DEI goals, with formal recruitment and promotion strategies aimed at improving the diversity of their workforce. These goals include increasing diversity in hiring, creating an inclusive workplace culture, and ensuring equal opportunities for advancement for underrepresented groups. The Biden administration has generally supported and encouraged these types of initiatives across federal agencies and corporations, as part of a broader push for more inclusive practices in the U.S. public and private sectors.
“What do you mean by monkeys?”
I should probably apologize to all primates for making that allusion. Actual monkeys would do a better job.
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