Musk wants retired air traffic controllers to resume work, but it's not so easy
Elon Musk holds up an Air Force One stuffed toy as he walks from the presidential helicopter Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Feb. 19 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Elon Musk called Thursday for retired air traffic controllers to consider returning to work amid staffing shortages — but a federal law means doing so isn't so simple.
The big picture: Hiring shortages have long plagued air traffic controllers in already stressful roles overseeing critical airspace, but the job is under more scrutiny following a deadly midair collision at Reagan National Airport and several other close calls between aircraft at other U.S. airports.
- "There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers," Musk posted on X Thursday. "If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so."
Context: Despite Musk's request, U.S. law requires that air traffic controllers retire by "the last day of the month" in which they turn 56. The Transportation secretary can exempt controllers "having exceptional skills and experience" from automatic separation — but only until that person is 61.
- Air traffic controllers must also pass annual medical examinations with strict physical requirements, like having 20/20 vision, sufficient hearing and proper blood pressure levels.
Driving the news: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday announced a plan to "supercharge" controller hiring that would shave steps off the hiring process and increase starting salaries.
Catch up quick: Duffy said in an interview on Fox News earlier this month that he plans to "make an offer" to air traffic controllers to let them stay longer, past the mandatory retirement age of 56.
- But the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union that represents the country's air traffic controllers, told Flying Magazine Duffy's suggestion is not the answer to filling thousands of shortages.
- "The solution to the ATC staffing crisis is a long-term commitment to hiring and training and the retention of the experience of all the highly skilled, highly trained air traffic controllers," the union said, noting in the next year, just dozens of air traffic controllers across 35 facilities will reach 56.
Zoom out: The Federal Aviation Administration has tried to bolster recruitment efforts amid ongoing staffing and retention issues, but applying to be a controller and becoming one are two very different things.
- It's a long, strenuous training process that can take up to three years, according to a 2023 inspector general report. And given the mandatory retirement age, the FAA must grapple with constant attrition.
- On top of that, the Trump administration's upheaval of the federal government and deep cuts could further complicate recruitment, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick notes.
Catch up quick: Hundreds of FAA employees were fired earlier this month amid the large-scale reductions that have rocked the federal workforce.
- But Duffy clarified that "[z]ero air traffic controllers and critical safety personnel" were let go.
Go deeper: Air traffic controllers union hits back at Trump DEI comments
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a plan to increase starting salaries.