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NEWS > U.S.A. > FAA TO REMOVE COTS AND OTHER SLEEP AIDS FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS
FAA TO REMOVE COTS AND OTHER SLEEP AIDS FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS
April 17 2011
Washington, D.C. – Air travel is undoubtedly one of the most complex undertakings in the human experience. Defying gravity and soaring through the air is not something human beings are designed to do, but like many things, we have become
clever enough to work against the natural world and accomplish incredible things. Despite those complex and unnatural mechanics of air travel, the process has become common place for so many people that we take the entire thing for granted, hardly ever thinking about the mechanics that make it work.
Like many human endeavours, the most important part of the things that make air flight work is other people. Pilots, engineers, mechanics, and of course air traffic controllers, all of whom contribute to our safe travel from place to place through the sky. As is the case in all complex systems, each individual element is reliant on the others in order to make it work, making each in turn just as important as each other. Because of the integral nature of all individual assets in the chain, it’s important that each remains healthy and strong. Just as it is in every other line of work, having employees well fed, happy, and well rested, the latter of which has become a significant issue on recent weeks after dozens of air traffic controllers have been found napping on the job, prompting the FAA to order the removal of cots and other sleep implements from their facilities.
“I don't know when I've ever been madder. I'm outraged about this. We're doing everything we can 24-7 to correct this problem.We thought controllers really were getting the rest that they needed,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We 
are going to change the way we do things. This type of thing is totally unacceptable and we can no longer tolerate aircraft being endangered because workers are not paying attention, for any reason. These new measures will rectify these concerns.”
Aside from removing cots, sleep masks, and on site pharmacies the NTSB has also recommended altering work schedules to give controllers more than eight hours off a day.
“No matter how automated our systems have become it is still necessary to have people in the towers directing traffic. They are essential parts of the chain and though they are needed for things like landing anymore, without them traffic would become clogged and airplanes would crash into each other which would not be good,” said Scrape TV Airline analyst Jeffry Johnson. “It’s a difficult job and it’s made even more challenging because of the cramped nature of the schedules. They don’t really allow a whole lot of room for sleep at home and so most facilities have taken that onto themselves and allowed controllers to sleep in between landings. Those little micro naps have long been a standard for all air traffic controllers.”
Until recent incidents involving aircraft not being able to contact controllers such naps were not considered out of the norm.
“Boosting the time off from eight hours to nine will certainly help a little bit, but I think removing cots in particular is going to cause other problems. I would be surprised to see a lot more sick days for cricked necks and sore backs. I mean folks need sleep after all and falling asleep in their chairs is not good for their posture,” continued Johnson. “That could be just as detrimental to the well being of aircraft as a bad back. I can tell you from personal experience that there is no pain quite like back pain and all it does is make people irritable and distracted. In light of that, it may be better if they lay down and took a little nap every now and then.”
The FAA is reportedly also considering electric shocks for dozing controllers.
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
NEWS > U.S.A. > FAA TO REMOVE COTS AND OTHER SLEEP AIDS FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS
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