Scientists: Controllers need naps on the job

AP ^ | 4/15/2011 | JOAN LOWY

[Petruchio]

WASHINGTON – The best solution to the problem of sleepy air traffic controllers is more sleeping on the job, scientists say.

But that would be a radical change for the Federal Aviation Administration. Current regulations forbid sleeping at work, even during breaks. Controllers who are caught can be suspended or fired.

Experts say that kind of thinking is outdated.

[pgkdan]

Scientists: Controllers need naps on the job

From what I've been hearimg on the news it sounds like they're getting them.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

What about gynecologists?

[bigbob]

Some of them would like little rugs for nappy-time. Others would like rugs for other reasons.

How about: a Union! To look after their “rights” and all?

Or better yet: it’s the night shift. You sleep during the day. If this is too difficult a concept to master, maybe you shouldn’t be controlling airplanes full of people!

Sheesh!

[Gator113]

Personal responsibility and work ethics be damned... just let them sleep.

[mountainlion]

Most controllers get regular brakes and have a dark lounge they can read or sleep in. Some play video games some listen to music and some take a walk. Few controls tower by themselves without breaks.

[cranked]

Name the idiotic scientists for starters.
Shesh...probably the same idiots in the Gore GW camp.... =.=

[Squantos]

Pillows are the issue in that profession.

[Cheetahcat]

How many hours a day do these sleepyheads work?? I can’t imagine telling a customer, I am closed for Nap time!

[jagusafr]

The FAA’s only priority is protecting the FAA from any form of criticism. Change? Not on your life.

Colonel, USAFR

[blueunicorn6]

When you read the whole story, you find that the message is ‘we need to hire more federal employees’. What a surprise. Then, they’ll have to hire more people to clean and protect their sleeping area and probably cooks too to provide free meals because sheesh..their blood sugar might get low and make them sleepy.

[Hulka]

Indeed, and if the airfield is so slow that it only requires a single controller, and that controller is bored out of his gourd, then just close the tower and operate it via UNICOM until the morning hours and increased traffic.

[meyer]

Indeed, and if the airfield is so slow that it only requires a single controller, and that controller is bored out of his gourd, then just close the tower and operate it via UNICOM until the morning hours and increased traffic.

Absolutely. Most airports are very busy from 0600 to 2200 hrs or so, but there is a huge drop in air traffic at night. They should drop the night shift at smaller towers and hand the controlling off to larger towers where there are multiple people on duty at any given time.

[DoughtyOne]

Tell you what folks, if those controllers are making the sums of money I’ve seen talked about lately, I’m thinking there are a lot of unemployed citizens out there who would gladly forgo sleep to earn it.

People who work the graveyard shift sleep in the daytime. Who knew? If a person can’t stay up to perform their duties, they’ve chosen the wrong field and should be replaced.