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Play video games? You, too, could become an air traffic controller.
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has successfully recruited over 2,000 video gamers to train as air traffic controllers, achieving 94% of its hiring goal, with more candidates in the pipeline.
- The initiative leverages gamers' skills such as quick thinking, focus, and multitasking, which align with the demands of managing air traffic safely and efficiently.
- Air traffic controllers earn a median annual wage of $144,580 in 2024, though salaries vary based on experience and location, with entry-level positions at smaller airports earning around $60,000.
- The FAA faces a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, which risks increasing flight delays and cancellations, exacerbated by factors like the recent government shutdown that affected worker retention.
- Prospective controllers must meet strict criteria, including U.S. citizenship, being under 31, and passing a rigorous aptitude exam, with historically less than 10% of applicants qualifying for training.
