does it really matter?
the training program to be a controller is long, and rigorous
no one gets hired much less gets in the chair without being qualified and that includes the chemical and psychological testing regime that pilots go through, plus background checks, an initial deployment or 3 to a bfe tower before getting assigned to a tower at a large field, etc.
it's a meritocracy and no one in the chair was "hired" in to the job; even ex-military controllers have to re-train and re-calibrate for civilian ops
regardless of race, religion, sex, non-sex, whatever, every controller has been through the same program and they didn't start training before clearing all of the same hurdles to even get admitted
obviously the rj crew have no complicity and don't form one of the holes in the cheese
that leaves...... mh-60 crew for "dei blame" and, well, we're missing 1 name......
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2 hr 27 min ago
Air traffic control is a “meritocracy,” says former FAA air traffic manager
From CNN’s Zoe Sottile
The air traffic control profession is a “meritocracy,” according to Michael McCormick, a former FAA air traffic manager and associate professor in air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“Only the best can go through the rigorous selection program, the screening program and then one-to-five-year training program prior to receiving their certification,” McCormick told CNN Friday morning.
McCormick’s comments come after President Donald Trump blamed DEI policies for the collision.
McCormick, who shut down New York City air traffic on 9/11, also said it was common practice for one air traffic controller to work two different tower positions.
“In this instance, it was actually a good thing, because now you have one controller who’s actually talking to and controlling both of the aircraft,” he said.
“Otherwise, if it was a separate controller, then the two controllers would have to constantly coordinate back and forth about what is happening and what they’re choosing to do.”