Trump admin accuses Buttigieg of ‘juicing’ numbers tied to air traffic controllers

The Department of Transportation under the Trump administration is implementing new standards for aspiring air traffic controllers in an effort to reduce the profession’s high washout rate. This move comes after officials criticized the Biden administration for lowering standards and inflating the number of candidates entering the field.

According to a Department of Transportation spokesperson, the Biden administration eliminated the “Best Qualified” category for candidates scoring 85% or higher on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam. Instead, they introduced a broader “Well Qualified” category for those scoring at least 80%. This change was believed to have contributed to higher attrition rates and a lower quality of candidates entering the profession.

Under the Trump administration, air traffic controller academy standards reverted to a four-tier system, including “Best Qualified” for scores of 90% or above. This change aims to ensure that top performers are given priority in training assignments, increasing the likelihood of successful completion. The Transportation Department warned that lowering standards may not contribute to better graduation and program success rates.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg defended the Biden administration’s actions, stating that they did not change the rigorous standards for becoming a certified air traffic controller. He emphasized that funding and training were increased, leading to growth in the ATC workforce after years of decline. However, critics argue that weaker standards have exacerbated the shortage of qualified air traffic controllers.

In response to the criticism, Buttigieg’s spokesperson reiterated that there is still a minimum standard of qualification for becoming a certified ATC, and the pre-admission ATSA exam remains unchanged. The spokesperson dismissed accusations from the Trump administration as a “desperate attempt to deflect” from the worsening shortage under Trump’s watch.

It is clear that the debate over air traffic controller standards continues to be a contentious issue, with both administrations claiming to have taken steps to address the profession’s challenges. The focus now shifts to whether the new standards implemented by the Trump administration will effectively reduce the washout rate and ensure a higher quality of candidates entering the field.