U.S. air traffic controllers to get an extra hour of rest between shifts

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U.S. air traffic controllers to get an extra hour of rest between shifts

2011-04-18 11:09:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday announced several changes to air traffic controller scheduling practices that will allow controllers more time for rest between shifts.

The changes come after a series of published incidents in which air traffic controllers fell asleep while on duty. In the most recent incident, an air traffic controller fell asleep on Saturday while on duty during the midnight shift at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center.

The new scheduling rules include measures that will give controllers a minimum of nine hours off between shifts, an hour extra from the seven hours currently required.

"Research shows us that giving people the chance for even an additional one hour of rest during critical periods in a schedule can improve work performance and reduce the potential for fatigue," FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said. "Taking advantage of the time you have to rest is also a professional responsibility."

In addition, controllers will no longer be able to swap shifts unless they have a minimum of nine hours off between the last shift they worked and the one they want to begin. It will also no longer be possible for controllers to switch to an unscheduled midnight shift following a day off.

The FAA said its managers will schedule their own shifts in a way to ensure greater coverage in the early morning and late night hours. Further, plans are being developed for a fatigue education program to teach controllers the risks of fatigue and how to avoid it.

"We expect controllers to come to work rested and ready to work and take personal responsibility for safety in the control towers. We have zero tolerance for sleeping on the job," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "Safety is our top priority and we will continue to make whatever changes are necessary."

The FAA said the new scheduling rules have already been put in place and will be fully in effect by the end of the week.

Last Wednesday, LaHood and Babbitt announced that the FAA would place an additional air traffic controller on the midnight shift at airport control towers and other facilities around the country that were staffed with only one controller during that time.

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