Tag Archives for air traffic control.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford says Trump’s first air traffic control modernization push was “hijacked” into a privatization debate by airlines — but Trump himself explicitly proposed moving ATC into a self-financing nonprofit. Bedford’s Airlines Confidential interview reveals a broader problem: the FAA wants more central control over airline schedules while still running, regulating, and excusing the system whose failures it is supposed to fix.
A Delta regional jet was already landing at LaGuardia when the pilots realized they had been talking to the wrong controller. The crew had switched to the wrong New York tower frequency on approach, and the mistake only became obvious when the controller asked the flight a simple question: where are you?
A single overheated circuit board was enough to ground flights across five Washington-area airports, forcing controllers to evacuate Potomac TRACON and exposing just how fragile the FAA’s aging infrastructure has become. The deeper problem, though, is not one smoking board — it is an air traffic control system where routine maintenance on old equipment was reportedly allowed to slide, making breakdowns like this far more likely.
A Southwest 737 in San Antonio began its takeoff roll after being cleared for departure when a private Pilatus PC-12 inadvertently turned onto the same runway. Tower audio captures the controller urgently canceling the takeoff clearance—“Oh sh*t”—and the Southwest crew rejecting the takeoff at speed, avoiding a runway collision as another aircraft was sent around.
A United Airlines regional jet departing Houston got an automated collision warning seconds after takeoff when another aircraft on the parallel runway turned the wrong way into its departure path. The crews were still low and close enough that the United flight reported a TCAS resolution advisory, the last line of defense designed to prevent midair collisions.
JetBlue Flight 1112 from Curaçao to New York JFK had a close call off Venezuela when pilots reported a U.S. Air Force tanker crossing directly in front of them at roughly their altitude. In ATC audio, they say it was “within 5 miles — maybe 2 or 3 miles” ahead, forcing them to halt their climb to avoid a collision.
The crew said the tanker wasn’t transmitting, and controllers told them they couldn’t see it on radar, later estimating the military aircraft around 34,000 feet. JetBlue says it reported the incident to federal authorities.
The administration is handing out $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who showed up every day during the government shutdown, but many in the workforce say the move is tearing units apart and creating real safety risks. Controllers argue the policy rewards presenteeism, pressures sick staff to work, and undermines a system already stretched thin.
During the shutdown, President Trump vowed to dock the pay of air traffic controllers who miss work and to award $10,000 bonuses to those who don’t. Neither move is legal — and his claims ignore basic FAA labor rules, federal law, and long-standing staffing realities.
The FAA just banned private flights at 12 major airports, but it’s a move that came too late — and focused on the wrong places. Most general aviation traffic never touches these hubs, meaning the new restrictions will do little to ease controller shortages or flight delays.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly texted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to make the offer, but even if the FAA wants the help, it may not be able to use it. Military controllers aren’t certified in civilian airspace, use different systems, and can’t simply plug into the FAA’s network without retraining or emergency waivers.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
