FAA silence on exhausted controllers doesn't fly
A Southwest Airlines 737 plane taxis past the air traffic control tower in this file photo. (March 16, 2010) Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
1,348 -- That's how many days the Federal Aviation Administration concealed a NASA study on air traffic controller fatigue. The findings, finally reported after a freedom of information request from The Associated Press, found that 20 percent of controllers made significant errors due to tiredness. Six-day weeks and consecutive midnight shifts left controllers with approximately 5.8 hours of sleep a day. Continuing its secrecy, the FAA refused to disclose any steps it has taken to address these issues. Its prolonged silence is shameful.
