The Trump administration is implementing new standards for air traffic control applicants. This move aims to address the profession's high washout rate by reversing previous changes made under the Biden administration.
According to Fox News, the Trump administration is increasing the threshold for air traffic control candidates, restoring more stringent testing measures with the objective of minimizing the high dropout rate observed in the field.
The Department of Transportation under the Trump administration has rolled out increased criteria for aspiring air traffic controllers. This decision follows claims from officials that previous measures did not improve graduation and program success rates despite increasing candidate numbers. Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, emphasized that prioritizing safety is at the core of this initiative.
Previously, the Biden administration altered the classification system by abolishing the "Best Qualified" category. In its place, a "Well Qualified" category was introduced, adjusting the score requirement for candidates on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment exam from 85% to just 80%. The new standards raise these thresholds, reinstating a four-tier system that begins with "Best Qualified" for scores of 90% or higher.
This adjustment restores a system that includes distinctions for "Well-Qualified" candidates who score between 85% and 89%, "Qualified" for those scoring between 70% and 84%, and candidates "Not Referred" with scores below 70%. Officials argue this elevation of standards is crucial for ensuring only the best candidates enter the field.
A report from the Transportation Department suggested that while altering the score selection process might boost the number of applicants, it does not necessarily translate to better success and graduation outcomes. This prompted the Trump administration to take action in restoring higher standards.
In defense of the changes implemented by his administration, Secretary Sean Duffy noted that eliminating the previous top category lowered the standard for defining the highest scorers. Critics of the Biden administration assert that this move disguised the real impact on the current shortage of air traffic controllers.
On the other hand, the Biden administration defended its choices to adapt the framework for qualifying air traffic controllers. Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation, emphasized the increase in funding and training while working to expand the workforce after a decline in certified staff.
Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that "we did not change the rigorous standard for becoming a certified air traffic controller," and he added that "we did increase funding & training, and grew the ATC workforce after years of declining numbers, including under Trump."
The dispute has revealed divisions in how both administrations have approached tackling the shortage of controllers. Buttigieg and his spokesperson maintain that no threshold changes have been made to the minimum qualifications and that the testing process remains the same.
With the Trump administration restoring the original higher classifications, some Department of Transportation officials argue that these reforms will better identify top candidates. The priority, according to Sean Duffy, lies in ensuring that the air traffic control academy attracts only top-notch candidates ready to handle the demands of the job.
As efforts to address staffing shortages continue, the debate is likely to affect both current air traffic controllers and incoming applicants. A spokesperson for Buttigieg contends that staffing levels had fallen during the first Trump administration but subsequently rose under his leadership.
The Trump administration's decision to restore elevated applicant standards highlights its commitment to minimizing the profession's high attrition rates. By re-establishing a more structured classification system, proponents argue, the new measures will enhance success rates and safety within the air traffic control industry.
