Air traffic control applicants top 8,000 in 13 hours, transportation secretary says - Reuters
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Over 8,000 people applied for air traffic control jobs in 13 hours, addressing staffing shortages.
How This Affects You
Increased air traffic controller staffing could reduce flight delays and cancellations, improving your travel experience.
AI Summary
The transportation secretary announced that applications for air traffic control positions exceeded 8,000 within 13 hours of opening. This surge in applications comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeks to address staffing shortages that have contributed to flight delays and cancellations. The rapid response indicates significant public interest in these critical roles, which are vital for maintaining the safety and efficiency of the national airspace. Filling these positions is a key priority for the Trump administration's efforts to modernize infrastructure and improve air travel. The FAA aims to hire thousands of new controllers in the coming years to meet demand.
What's Being Done
The FAA aims to hire thousands of new controllers to meet demand and improve air travel.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyDuffy: Effort to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers ‘wildly successful’
The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) is targeting video gamers to serve in air traffic controller roles, an effort Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described as “wildly successful.” “This has been wildly successful and if you think just what these gamers are doing on screens, they’re talking and there’s a lot of things going on,” Duffy said…
Duffy on AI replacing air traffic controllers: "That's not gonna happen"
"Am I gonna replace a controller and have AI manage the airspace? The answer to that is hell no, that's not gonna happen," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CBS News.
CorporateFrench billionaire Bollore sparks turmoil at top publisher Grasset
French conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore came under attack from dozens of authors on Thursday at one of his flagship publishing brands, as he continues to reshape the country's media landscape. Olivier Nora, who had headed Grasset for 26 years, left on Tuesday with no explanation, though reports claimed he had been sacked by Bollore following a disagreement about a book. The turmoil at Grasset mirrors the uproar seen at other Bollore-owned TV, radio and newspaper companies that have come under the control of the 74-year-old businessman, who is close to far-right figures. FRANCE 24's Culture Editor Eve Jackson tells us more.
Civil Rights‘Right place at the right time’: Arizona utility worker saves toddler from rush-hour traffic
<p>Robert Butler leaped into action to save child who was running into busy intersection in downtown Phoenix</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>An <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/arizona">Arizona</a> electric utility worker is said to have issued “a powerful reminder of what it means to look out for one another” when, while on duty, he stopped a toddler from running into heavy car traffic after bolting away from a parent.</p><p>Robert Butler’s timely intervention was captured recently in a hair-raising video recorded by a surveillance camera in downtown Phoenix and released recently by his employer, <a href="https://www.face...
Government TransparencyJudge blocks DOJ effort to sanction immigration lawyer who tried to stop client’s deportation - Politico
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxPTF9OOVJGRnlfZktxdzFBeWJqTVRoalZScnVZcjdGWWFHTU90ajRLa29RS0VfU1BFM1piT1REZ3F3Z2pzTFhKUmtrc2E1Wmh5aGtsZTlXdm5EU0swb0s1VlpVeGRwUVNKcmxCblVMNXF5Tmo3M19DallVMFJyN3hHRENGZjRUdjFDRURNSlk5MFFSanM?oc=5" target="_blank">Judge blocks DOJ effort to sanction immigration lawyer who tried to stop client’s deportation</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Politico</font>
Government TransparencyNew York loses nearly $74 million for not revoking 33,000 illegal licenses for immigrant truckers - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxQNWZBdzBONzd2VHVVY0xER3lFcUU2YWQ4NC1VTUJmSEdjYnVjcUJCSVhLU1FGblFvcWJPcmtQT3g1dzBCVVZPVlg3U2dVTjhIWFNrV1A2aDc0Ym1rZmxXMjltOTNNaG13Vm9aVTNTOWp0am9hQ1g3Z2tvMEI4RGF0YnZvRXYzUUdFOV9qOEZsMll5M0JhOXNsOGRhMFkwUmlEcnJFanU2bjR1UQ?oc=5" target="_blank">New York loses nearly $74 million for not revoking 33,000 illegal licenses for immigrant truckers</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

Justice Department charges Southern Poverty Law Center with fraud over extremism investigations
The Justice Department on Tuesday announced fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its nonprofit investigations into extremist groups. CBS News justice reporter Jake Rosen has the details.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Report: Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug topped $200,000 a year under Trump

One in three Americans forced to make financial sacrifices for health coverage

US Live Nation and Ticketmaster verdict triggers calls for Australian investigation into ticketing rules

Welcome to the Second Gilded Age

Steve Bannon sides with Anthropic in fight with Pentagon: ‘It’s almost too dangerous’

