FAA Issues Policies to Tackle Controller Fatigue

Bethany Whitfield

Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 09:56 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The FAA and NATCA have reached an agreement on new guidelines to combat air traffic controller fatigue, aimed at restoring public confidence after reports of controllers sleeping on the job.
The agreement includes minor policy changes such as relaxed language suggesting controllers may sleep during breaks, allowing night shift controllers to use personal radios/reading materials for alertness, and emphasizing individual controller responsibility for being well-rested.
Crucially, the agreement does not alter the current controversial scheduling system, widely cited as a contributor to fatigue, but pledges future collaboration on developing new scheduling principles.

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The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) have announced an agreement on new guidelines intended to combat fatigue.** **

The agreement is the latest in a series of attempts by the FAA to restore confidence in America’s air traffic control system, which came under heavy fire earlier this year with a barrage of reports detailing controllers sleeping on the job.