Posted on 05/07/2025 9:30:51 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Some air traffic controllers are on a 45-day "trauma leave" as Newark Liberty International Airport experiences ongoing staffing shortages amid the fallout from communication outages.
Under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), air traffic controllers are entitled to a 45-day Continuation of Pay (COP), or "trauma leave," for mental health conditions, like stress, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), from an identifiable work-related incident.
"Frequent equipment and telecommunications outages can be stressful for controllers," the FAA said in a statement Monday.
"Some controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON who work Newark arrivals and departures have taken time off to recover from the stress of multiple recent outages. While we cannot quickly replace them due to this highly specialized profession, we continue to train controllers who will eventually be assigned to this busy airspace."
The National Air Traffic Controller’s Union (NATCA) told FOX 5 NY that some controllers at Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) were "so traumatized" after temporarily losing all communication with the aircraft under their control last Monday that they took a leave of absence.
The FAA said their short-term solution to staffing shortages and equipment issues is "slowing the rate of arrivals into the airports," which could create delays for passengers.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the flight tracking website FlightAware reported 35 delays and 85 cancellations so far today at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., chair of the Aviation Safety Caucus, told Fox News Digital it's a "very stressful job."
"They work a lot of hours, a lot of overtime. We need more of them," Langworthy said. "There's always going to be stress involved, but we have to prioritize it, and not just take it for granted."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxbusiness.com ...
Wow! 45 days of paid vacation!!!
Who wouldn’t take advantage of that???
15 days: Yea verily.
30 days: Better be seeing a therapist.
45 days; Better be looking for another line of work.
They need a summer rental like John Candy.
And all on the dime of the taxpayers.
And just think,some of these air traffic controllers were given the answers to their tests.
We were never allowed to take advantage of anything like this, when I was a USAF air traffic controller. We barely had more than two tin cans and a string, in Vietnam, and these dudes are taking 45 days off? No sale. By the way, my son is now an instructor pilot. 👍
Back in the 90’s, I was a DODQA at Grumman Aerospace. My brain did a brainy-bit flip. I cannot recall the last “thing on the checklist that flipped the switch”. It was a hairy time for a while, and yes, I used that time for that. Yes, I did find a talking board that Uncle Sam paid for. I came back more focused, with clarity, and the ability to say “no”.
Way better than a power tool those are fun for the whole family
I’m sure their jobs are very stressful. That said, somebody’s exploiting a loophole.
CC
I can understand this. It’s not 45 days to calm down. It is 45 days before you want to put hundreds of peoples lives in your hands, HEAD again doing this particular job.
This isn’t “just” getting out if a furefight alive and next day getting into another one. This is 250 passengers times 20 planes all crashing in short order on yoyr watch and you could do nithing about it but accept guilt!!!
Would you be ready for “sure, what the heck” go at it with a crappy system for a lousy paycheck, in 30 days? Maybe. 45? Ok.
Would you, in the planes, want this guy back in 30? Maybe. 45? Ok. Bring my wifey home!!
Snort. Light weights. Try being a Navy seal.
Do the pilots get the same?
With all due respect, grow up and get the F back to work.
Just let them work from home.
> Do the pilots get the same?<
Do you mean the ones who may have actually had the close call?
I’m sorry, but 30 seconds of outage does not a crisis make. The planes involved all were on cleared flight plans. They already had proper separation. There are specific procedures to follow in case of no communications.
It could get hairy after several minutes, but 30 seconds doesn’t strike me as a long no-radio time.
Twenty some years ago, a cut cable caused an ATC blackout for 20 minutes in the NYC area. Pilots handled it.
I’ll catch crap for this, but this sounds like a job action using existing rules to get negotiating leverage. I don’t necessarily disagree with it because ATC can only function so much longer with short staffing and 1980s equipment.
EC
Take your non-smart car with your family onto the interstate, set the cruise control to 75 then put on a blindfold for 90 seconds. Experience the fun and tell us how you're "completely safe".
in my opinion, losing all comms and visuals for 90 seconds is bound to impact the controllers in some fashion. I think the ones who aren't impacted just don't give a crap about the folks on those planes.
Try being the mom of a murdered child who still has a 1st grader to deal with? You suck it up, and do wnat is best for the one left. Cry when he can’t see you, suppress your emotions.
As part of Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi sentencing, I’d sentence them each to 45 days in the Newark airport.
and only 45 days because I’d start to feel sorry for them.
Then they get fly to Gitmo from Newark to finish out the rest of their sentence..
AMEN
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