Southern California

Media Coverage | Fact Sheet

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

A Staffing Crisis: By The Numbers

LAS ANGELES CENTER

• Authorized by the FAA for 310 controllers, yet staffed with only 215 certified controllers and 52 trainees, 25 of which are brand new. 
• There are not enough certified controllers/instructors to train the incoming wave of trainees.
• L.A. Center handles 23 percent more planes than it did in 1992 but has 27 percent fewer controllers.
• Since the FAA’s dramatic staffing cut last April, Los Angeles Center has experienced a sharp rise in the number of operational errors.  This year, LA Center has experienced 25 operational errors, 21 of which occurred after the FAA cut back staffing at L.A.

LOS ANGELES TOWER

• The facility is authorized for 47 certified controllers, yet due to retirements, expects to have only 38 by this time next year.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRACON

• Operational errors have more than doubled in the last year while staffing levels have fallen 12 percent.
• In the last 18 months, the number of certified controllers has fallen from 246 to 217 - well below the 261 controllers the FAA says the facility is authorized to employ.
• In the next two years, 48 more controllers will reach retirement eligibility.

(NOTE: To become eligible to retire, a controller must either have worked 20 years and reach 50 years of age, or worked 25 years and be any age)