New Rules Allow More Rest For Air Traffic Controllers

Now air traffic controllers can take more rest between their shifts, according to new rules announced by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt.

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 Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Safety is our top priority and we will continue to make whatever changes are necessary.

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, said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Taking advantage of the time you have to rest is also a professional responsibility.

The new scheduling rules have already been put in place and will be fully in effect by the end of the week. The following are the new changes:

* Controllers will now have a minimum of nine hours off between shifts. Currently they may have as few as eight.

* Controllers will no longer be able to swap shifts unless they have a minimum of 9 hours off between the last shift they worked and the one they want to begin.

* Controllers will no longer be able to switch to an unscheduled midnight shift following a day off.

* FAA managers will schedule their own shifts in a way to ensure greater coverage in the early morning and late night hours.

On Monday, FAA Administrator Babbitt and NATCA President Paul Rinaldi will be in Atlanta, where they will begin their Call to Action on air traffic control safety and professionalism meetings.

Over the course of this week, they will visit air traffic facilities in and around the following cities: Atlanta; Dallas- Ft. Worth;Kansas City; Chicago;New York; and Washington,DC. The two will also visit the air traffic control training academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center inOklahoma City.

In addition to changes in scheduling practices, the Call to Action effort will include the development of a fatigue education program to teach controllers the risks of fatigue and how to avoid it.