FAA Shortens ATC Hiring Process

To streamline the application process for air traffic controllers, the FAA has created consolidated screening and testing centers to provide “one-stop shopping” for prospective employees. According to the agency, consolidating security clearances, medical screenings and fingerprinting allows it to slash weeks off the application process. The first pre-employment processing center opened at the beginning of the year in New York. Other centers will open in Florida, Atlanta, Fort Worth and Chicago. The FAA expects to hire more than 1,800 new air traffic controllers this year and increase total controller staffing to more than 15,000.