Aviation safety may be at risk due to diversity-focused hiring practices that compromised standards for air traffic controllers, leaving the industry understaffed and overworked.
Quick Takes
- The FAA replaced its merit-based selection process with a “Biographical Questionnaire” in 2014 under the Obama administration, allegedly to increase diversity
- Critics argue the new hiring system violated federal civil-rights laws and has led to a shortage of qualified controllers
- A recent plane crash at Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people has renewed scrutiny of these hiring policies
- Newark Airport is currently experiencing serious air traffic control issues, highlighting the shortage crisis
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pledged to remove DEI practices from FAA hiring procedures
Obama-Era Hiring Changes Under Scrutiny
In 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration dramatically changed how it selects air traffic controllers, replacing a long-standing merit-based system with a new “Biographical Questionnaire.” According to reports, this change came during the Obama administration and was allegedly designed to increase workforce diversity by reducing the percentage of white candidates who qualified. These changes have become the subject of intense debate following recent aviation incidents, including a deadly crash at Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 fatalities, raising questions about controller competency and staffing levels.
“As President Donald Trump pointed out in the disaster’s aftermath, the Federal Aviation Administration in 2014 replaced its well-established merit-based selection process for would-be air-traffic controllers with a new ‘Biographical Questionnaire,” sad William E. Trachman and Grady J. Block.
The hiring changes allegedly prioritized diversity over competence, with critics claiming the new system was designed to screen out certain demographic groups. A lawsuit filed in 2015 claimed these practices violated federal civil-rights laws. Despite Freedom of Information Act requests, the federal government has reportedly withheld over 14,000 documents related to these FAA hiring practices, adding to concerns about transparency and the true impact of these policies on aviation safety standards.
Current Crisis at Newark Airport Highlights Staffing Issues
Recent events at Newark Liberty International Airport have brought renewed attention to air traffic controller shortages. Multiple communication failures and system outages have caused significant disruptions, flight cancellations, and raised serious safety concerns. Air traffic controllers have been reportedly telling pilots “DON’T FLY” into Newark due to the dangerous situation, with controllers struggling to maintain safety with inadequate staffing and outdated equipment.
The recorded communications between pilots and controllers reveal the severity of the situation, with one controller heard saying “they all have radio failure” during a recent outage. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has acknowledged the problems, specifically pointing to “old” air traffic control equipment as part of the issue. However, former air traffic controllers and aviation experts suggest the equipment problems are compounded by insufficient qualified personnel to operate the systems properly.
— TracingWoodgrains (@tracewoodgrains) February 5, 2025
Political Responses to the Controller Shortage
The air traffic controller shortage has become a political issue, with stark differences in how administrations have approached the problem. The Trump administration reportedly dropped the controversial biographical questionnaire, returning to more traditional merit-based hiring standards. In contrast, officials from the Biden administration defended the FAA’s diversity-focused actions as necessary efforts to break down racial barriers in the aviation industry.
Current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has taken a different approach, pledging to remove DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices from the FAA’s hiring procedures. This shift comes as the aviation industry grapples with increased flight demands while operating with a diminished controller workforce. Aviation experts like JP Tristani, a former Marine pilot interviewed by Newsmax, have suggested that prioritizing diversity over competency has led to the current crisis.
Impact on Aviation Safety and Operations
The shortage of qualified air traffic controllers has created a cascade of operational problems. Existing controllers are experiencing increased stress and fatigue due to mandatory overtime and insufficient staffing. This situation potentially compromises the safety of millions of air travelers daily. Former controllers like Michael Pearson have spoken out about the deteriorating conditions, tracing the FAA’s current hiring issues directly to the policy changes implemented in 2014.
While some argue there’s no direct proof that DEI measures specifically led to incidents like the Reagan Airport crash, critics contend the burden of proof should be on those defending race-based hiring practices that deviated from traditional merit-based standards. As the lawsuit challenging these practices continues and the current administration reconsiders hiring protocols, the aviation industry faces the immediate challenge of safely managing increasingly congested airspace with fewer qualified controllers than needed.
