NATCA Bookshelf

Q & A Q Does NATCA have a preferred funding system? Q Is the NAS facing a critical staffing shortage? Q What are the recent changes to the FAA's hiring process? A A A • Yes. • Controller staffing has fallen nearly 10 percent since 2011, and the FAA has missed its hiring goals in six of the last seven years. • More than one quarter of our certified controller workforce (approximately 3,000) is eligible to retire, which is more than are currently in the pipeline to replace them. • If this situation continues unaddressed, the U.S. will be hard-pressed to maintain current air traffic capacity, let alone expand and modernize the system. • The FAA changed its hiring process in February 2014. NATCA had concerns about the FAA adding more bureaucratic red tape to its hiring process, because it excluded many qualified applicants from the hiring pool. Hundreds, if not thousands, of qualified candidates were rejected as an unintended consequence. • The FAA revised its 2014 biographical questionnaire (BQ) and validated the revised version of the BQ on the current controller workforce allowing more applicants into the hiring process. • NATCA's primary concern continues to be ensuring a steady stream of eligible, qualified candidates, who can successfully pass through the Academy and be effective once assigned to facilities across the country. • In order to improve and streamline the FAA's hiring process, last year we asked all NATCA members who attended NATCA in Washington to help carry this message to the Hill. • As a result of your hard work, passion, and dedication, NATCA was able to work closely with members of Congress to pass hiring reforms as part of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. This bill created a two-track process for hiring new controllers: ê Under Track One, the FAA is required to give "preferential consideration to qualified individuals maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience," as these experienced controllers will be assigned directly to ATC facilities and do not need to attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. ê Under Track Two, the FAA must balance its hiring between two pools of candidates: (1) the first pool comprises veterans and graduates of Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) programs; and (2) the second pool is off-the-street hires. • Although this process does take a step in the right direction, it does not solve the staffing crisis. NATCA supports a holistic, collaborative approach to solve the staffing crisis. This new hiring process is merely one part of that equation. • NATCA does not support a specific funding system, but the status quo is unacceptable and unreliable. • The National Airspace System (NAS) needs a stable, predictable funding stream so the FAA can move forward with modernization and technology improvements, as well as infrastructure projects. FAA FUNDING HIRING AND STAFFING Q Are you using duty or official time to be in D.C. today? A No. You are on annual leave/regular day off. NATCA members do not lobby on duty time or official time. OFFICIAL TIME 57

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