A job advertisement backed by the U.S. government has been criticized for a potential conflict of interest. This situation has resulted in a swift surge of applications for positions that have faced scrutiny regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
On April 10, the Department of Transportation opened applications for air traffic controller positions, highlighting it as an urgent federal priority. The ad, just one minute long, specifically aimed at adult gamers, touting their skills in detail-oriented tasks, multitasking, and their capacity to process large amounts of data from screens.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the link between gamers and air traffic controllers during a seminar, stating that, in a survey of 250 Academy students, only three were non-gamers. He suggested a likely correlation between gaming habits and the desire to pursue air traffic control careers, adding, “We’re immersing ourselves in that community.”
The recruitment initiative was unexpectedly successful, so much so that the portal nearly closed after just seven hours. “We started the live broadcast at midnight and by 7 AM, we had about 6,000 applicants. Our plan was to cap it at 8,000,” Duffy noted.
While addressing attendees, Duffy confidently stated, “Even if you’re not there now, you’ll definitely be there by noon,” indicating the overwhelming response. Previously, he successfully hired 2,026 new air traffic controllers last September, aiming to bring at least another 2,000 onboard from a pool of 10,000 applicants, where over 8,300 were referred for fitness testing.
In his remarks, Duffy emphasized the similarities between gaming and air traffic control. He elaborated, “Gamers are used to managing multiple tasks at once. They’re engaged in conversations while tracking various elements on-screen, which mirrors the skill set needed in towers and facilities. Transitioning from gaming to such a crucial job seems natural.” He mentioned that it’s a well-paying career that allows individuals to support their families.
Despite the large influx of applicants, Duffy reassured that all candidates would still need to meet qualifications and pass a vetting process. He described the interest from younger individuals as a “huge success.” The Department is still pursuing its goal of hiring at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028.
The FAA currently employs around 13,000 air traffic controllers across more than 300 facilities nationwide, with roughly 10,600 being certified professionals.
