Here’s what the Trump administration is planning.
Washington, D.C. – Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is taking action to fix America’s dangerously overburdened air traffic control system—an issue that’s been brewing for years due to federal mismanagement, technology failures, and a steady decline in experienced personnel.
In a move aimed at prioritizing safety and restoring confidence in our skies, Duffy is offering a 20% salary bonus to seasoned air traffic controllers who are eligible for retirement—encouraging them to stay on the job while a new generation is trained.
“We need our most experienced controllers to stay put while we bring fresh talent in,” Duffy told CBS News. “This bonus is a smart investment in safety.”
A System in Crisis: Years of Neglect Under Past Leadership
The FAA workforce crisis has created dangerous conditions, with reports of burnout, outdated training systems, and unfilled roles across the country. The tragic January 29 collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter—which claimed 67 lives—shook the nation and highlighted what many in the aviation industry had long feared: America’s air traffic system is stretched too thin.
Add to that back-to-back outages at Newark Liberty International Airport—one of the nation’s busiest hubs—and the urgency of the situation becomes undeniable.
Duffy’s Solution: Smart, Swift, and Veteran-Friendly
Secretary Duffy’s plan focuses on speed, safety, and common sense. Here are the key initiatives now underway:
✅ 20% Stay-On Bonus for Retirement-Eligible Controllers
✅ Expanded Fast-Track Hiring for Military Veterans with ATC experience
✅ Cash Incentives for new hires who hit training milestones
✅ Tower Simulation Systems to boost training speed and reduce costs
✅ More Instructors + New Learning Center in Oklahoma City
✅ Faster Clearances for top recruits stuck in medical/security red tape
✅ Streamlined FAA Hiring – from 8 steps down to 5
Protecting the Skies—and the Taxpayers
Duffy’s reforms don’t just boost safety—they protect taxpayer dollars by cutting inefficiencies and reducing delays that cost the economy billions each year.
And for the men and women who served our country in uniform, this plan opens doors to high-paying, meaningful post-military careers in aviation.
“It’s time we value experience, support our veterans, and stop kicking the can down the runway,” Duffy said.
Immediate Action at Newark—and Beyond
In coordination with acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, Duffy has ordered immediate changes at Newark Liberty to prevent another system failure. Additional nationwide upgrades are already underway.
Final Boarding Call for Bureaucracy
For years, federal red tape and mismanagement have left critical transportation systems vulnerable. Secretary Duffy’s plan is a long-overdue correction—one focused on results, responsibility, and restoring American excellence in air travel.
