The Department of Transportation under the Trump administration has upped the requirements for aspiring air traffic controllers, claiming this change will help reduce the number of candidates who don’t finish the program. In contrast, officials argue that the Biden administration’s earlier decision to lower these standards during its initial term only led to more turnover and an inflated pool of applicants.
A spokesperson from the Department pointed out that by removing the “best qualified” categories and changing the criteria for top scorers, the Biden team has made it appear as if there’s a larger shortage of air traffic controllers than actually exists.
Currently, the FAA has reinstated a four-tier system for Air Traffic Controller Academy admissions. This includes a “best qualified” tier for those scoring over 90%, while “eligible” is divided into scores ranging from 70% to 89%, with anything below 70% categorized as “not referred.”
According to sources within the DOT, the previous administration scrapped the 85% threshold for the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) test, shifting to a broader standard that accepts scores starting at 80%. Trump’s former transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, remarked that this change allowed a wider range of candidates into the Federal Aviation Training Center.
Officials assert that having top performers many stand out could lead to better training outcomes since different airspaces have distinct training needs. A pre-Trump report indicated that selecting lower-scoring candidates might meet hiring goals but not improve graduation rates.
In response to criticisms about the previous standards, a spokesperson for Buttigieg noted that the minimum qualification criteria have remained unchanged and said the ATSA test is still a requirement for certification. The spokesperson dismissed the Trump administration’s claims as desperate attempts to influence public perception regarding the air traffic controller shortage, highlighting that certified controller staffing decreased during Trump’s tenure.
Buttigieg’s former transportation secretary emphasized that despite earlier challenges, efforts have been made to bolster staffing levels, successfully meeting and exceeding employment targets in the recent past.
