Transportation Secretary<\/a> Sean Duffy declared that the country wants the \u201cbest and brightest\u201d to be fast tracked into the FAA\u2019s academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.\u00a0<\/p>\nSecretary Duffy said: \u201cThis administration is committed to solving the air traffic control shortage that has existed for too long. Thanks to our dedicated air traffic controllers and top FAA Academy grads, flying remains the safest way to travel. I am committed to restoring the FAA\u2019s mission to safety and asking for more great candidates to join us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Duffy explained that, under a new streamlining plan, the eight-step hiring process at the FAA would become a five-step process and that the agency would be increasing pay for those training.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duffy said: \u201cThis will accelerate the time-to-hire for these critical positions by shaving more than four months off the old process.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Backing the recruitment drive, Elon Musk, who has taken a personal interest in fixing aviation safety in the US, pleaded with retired air traffic controllers to return.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Writing on social media, the SpaceX owner said: \u201cThere is a shortage of top-notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n