News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:America desperately needs more air traffic controllers by least on Tuesday February 04, 2025 @11:03PM (#42943608)
I generally agree with your sentiment for improving education, but I don't think the limiting factor for ATCs has to do with it, but with innate qualities in individuals.

You can see the list of criteria here: https://www.faa.gov/air-traffic-controller-qualifications

Re:America desperately needs more air traffic controllers by ajuc on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @04:01AM (#42945897)
- Be a United States citizen

- Be under the age of 31

Well, they restrict the pool pretty harshly right from the start.

Re:America desperately needs more air traffic controllers by swores on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @04:09AM (#42945957)
I think most people underestimate the amount of "innate qualities" from patience to creativity etc. that actually are influenced by education, parenting, etc. rather than being defined at birth by genetics.

Education isn't just about changing the quantity of knowledge people have learned - a country with good free education, along with other things like mental health support, good parenting resources/education/support, etc. will lead to more people having the qualities needed to be ATCs despite not having learned them by going to specific "managing stress 101" classes.

(Edit: It's possible I misunderstood you and by innate qualities you literally just meant the things in their explicit requirements list like being under 31 and being a US citizen, if so apologies but I'll leave my comment here anyway.)

Re:America desperately needs more air traffic controllers by jvvw on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @09:58AM (#42949335)
A quick google suggests that only 35% of US adults have 20/20 vision (although I guess it might be higher if you restrict to the population of the age required) which is one of the requirements so that by itself limits the pool of applicants significantly regardless of education, parenting etc?