The Trump administration is facing backlash after transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced 2,000 video gamers have been hired to serve as air traffic controllers.
Duffy first unveiled the plan to meet the national shortfall this spring and recently took to social media with an update revealing the recruitment drive had been a success.
“In April, we launched a NEW CAMPAIGN to recruit video gamers as air traffic controllers – and supercharged the entire hiring process to get the BEST & BRIGHTEST in faster. The results are HISTORIC.”
Duffy said the 2,000 appointments so far was the most in a single year, adding that a further 2,000 were “in the pipeline”. His post was accompanied by a video compilation of testimonials from some of the new hires expressing their excitement about passing their interviews and getting down to work.
In announcing the policy, the Federal Aviation Administration explained its reasoning behind the new approach by saying: “With only about 25 percent of controllers holding a traditional college degree, this effort is focused on reaching talented young people pursuing alternative career paths, many of whom are active in gaming.
“Feedback from controller exit interviews reinforces this, with several controllers pointing to gaming as an influence on their ability to think quickly, stay focused, and manage complexity.”
Michael O’Donnell, an aerospace consultant and former FAA official, sounded a note of caution at the time, commenting: “When you bring on someone who has gaming experience, particularly with air traffic control, they have an edge up.
“They’re coming in with a skill set.
But it doesn’t replace aptitude, or discipline, or decision making under pressure.”
His concern is now being widely shared in response to Duffy’s announcement about the hiring spree.
“Just one problem…. If they f*** up people die,” one person responded to the secretary’s video. “They can’t just restart a new game.”
“Great thinking,” another said. “One failure mode: Be sure a culture of responsible sleep is created. Don’t want planes falling out of the sky when GTA 6 releases or a new WoW [World of Warcraft] expansion comes out.”
Another claiming to have prior experience of working in air traffic control wrote: “As someone with experience in the job, I can tell you that how many you hire doesn’t mean a damn thing.
“It’s how many actually make it through and get certified at their facilities. It’s a very difficult job.”
However, the reaction to Duffy’s post was largely positive, with the more critical commentators shouted down as “Debbie Downers” and “Negative Nellys.”
Among those expressing support for the policy were the billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and actress Justine Bateman.
“BRILLIANT move to hire YOUNG MEN into stable, well-paying positions,” one person wrote. “As any nation should. Note that it took a Gen Xer to launch this program. A boomer would never.”
“This is creativity in government hiring, love to see it,” applauded another.
Asked about the concerns raised by the naysayers, the FAA told The Independent: “The FAA is continuing its supercharged hiring and is onboarding new controllers at a record pace. The president’s supplemental budget request includes additional funding for controller hiring.
“Deploying modern staffing models and scheduling tools will improve controller staffing efficiency and reduce the need for excessive overtime, which can lead to fatigue and burnout.”
The Independent also reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment.