FAA Staffing

Better Strategy Needed to Ensure Facilities Are Properly Staffed Gao ID: T-RCED-92-8 October 16, 1991

The air traffic controller staffing levels of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been a problem since 1981 when more than 11,000 controllers went on strike and were fired. In looking at efforts by FAA to rebuild its work force in the 10 years since the strike, GAO found that FAA has updated its staffing standards. The standards indicate that FAA is about 700 controllers, or four percent, short of its overall staffing goal of about 18,300. However, GAO also found that at selected air traffic control facilities, actual staffing levels differ substantially from the levels the standards prescribe. Some of the busiest facilities in the country have levels that are well below the staffing standards. GAO also found that FAA is developing a new plan to improve hiring, training, and placement of controllers. It remains to be seen how the plan will relate to FAA's current efforts and whether FAA can effectively implement the plan.



The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.