FAA administrator and union chief to tour flight control facilities

The administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the head of the air traffic controllers union will visit several facilities across the country to deliver a zero tolerance message about personnel sleeping on the job.

Following the announcement over the weekend that controllers would be given an extra hour between work shifts, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and NATCA President Paul Rinaldi will visit Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

The duo will also make a stop at the air traffic control training academy in Oklahoma City.

They say their message will be that the FAA has done its part by requiring at least nine hours between shifts, so controllers must do their part and stay awake on the job.

“Research shows us that giving people the chance for even an additional one hour of rest during critical periods in a schedule can improve work performance and reduce the potential for fatigue,” Babbitt said in a statement. “Taking advantage of the time you have to rest is also a professional responsibility.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the message would also be that there is zero tolerance for falling asleep at the switchboard. Seven air traffic controllers have been suspended in recent weeks after incidents at airports across the country.

“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,” LaHood said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority and we will continue to make whatever changes are necessary.”

The first stop on Babbitt and Rinaldi's tour, dubbed the "Call to Action," will be Monday in Atlanta. The FAA said it would review air training controllers' training and job requirements and the NATCA said it would expand its professional standards program.