Facing a severe shortage of air traffic controllers in the United States, Transportation Secretary Sean Davey announced on Friday that the department will recruit video game players to join the ranks of airport tower workers. Davey stated in a release: "To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt." The Department of Transportation points out that more than 200 million people in the U.S. play video games regularly. In a press release, the department added: "With only 25% of controllers having a traditional college degree, this effort focuses on reaching talented young people seeking alternative career paths, many of whom are active in the gaming space." Raising their numbers is a top priority for Davey. According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in December, the Federal Aviation Administration hired 6% fewer air traffic controllers in fiscal year 2025 compared to 2015, despite a 10% increase in total flights between fiscal years 2015 and 2024. Newark Liberty International Airport was severely affected last year due to a staffing shortage at the Philadelphia air traffic control center, which is responsible for managing flights to the New Jersey airport. Reactions from interviews with air traffic controllers confirm this, as many of them indicated that video games have impacted their ability for quick thinking, focus, and managing complexities. According to the Government Accountability Office, while a traditional college degree is not required, those wishing to work as air traffic controllers must pass a proficiency test and obtain a medical and security clearance before starting training. This campaign leverages an innovative communication style and its focus on video games to tap into a growing segment of young people who possess many of the technical skills needed to succeed in this field. They then move on to a training course lasting four to six months at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, as well as intensive on-the-job training, according to the Government Accountability Office. Others have decided to leave the field altogether. A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation told CBS News in November: "The 44-day pay suspension for air traffic controllers created uncertainty and drove many experienced controllers out of the profession, damaging recruitment opportunities." Overall, it can take a person anywhere from two to six years to become a certified air traffic controller. The agency has faced a shortage of air traffic controllers at many airports across the country for the past decade. The government shutdown last November exacerbated many of the problems with the air traffic controller shortage, as employees were forced to work without pay for over a month.
