Air Traffic Control Washouts Whine about “Hazing”

A poli sci major tries to become an air traffic controller.

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Higgins, who has a degree in political science from the University of Central Florida, stumbled onto the idea of becoming an air traffic controller while browsing the federal government’s hiring website. In 2019, after taking a test and undergoing medical and security screening, he was offered a place at the academy and shipped out to Oklahoma. The FAA placed Higgins in the demanding career track for controllers who manage aircraft in the middle of their journeys at high altitudes.

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Then the story takes a turn as he barely graduates.

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Higgins said he struggled through the academy program, graduating at the bottom of his class and getting “saddled” with an undesirable posting to Oakland.

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In Oakland, he effed it up and got told.

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In his first few days guiding aircraft at the Oakland, California, air traffic control center, trainee Ryan Higgins deleted a plane’s data from the radar screen. It was untrackable for a few frantic moments while more experienced controllers made sure the plane was on a safe path. The rookie mistake rattled Higgins and earned him a stern rebuke.

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He pussed out.

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He quit. “I just felt kind of miserable going to work and being berated when I’m just trying to learn,” said Higgins

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But according to the Washington Post, it’s the FAA’s problem.

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“If it was a more respectful, understanding culture, more patient, then I think I would have been more inclined to stick with it,” Higgins said.

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Christ on a crutch! As a pilot and a passenger, I am very happy that 20 percent wash out. I’d rather washout too many many and have hurt feelings than have someone on the scope who cannot hack it.

Link (behind a paywall).


LINK ‘College hazing’ or training? Amid shortage, air traffic recruits wash out.