Obama-era diversity-centered hiring practices are now linked to a critical shortage of air traffic controllers and growing aviation safety concerns across the nation.
Quick Takes
- A 2014 FAA policy shift replaced merit-based selection with “Biographical Questionnaires” designed to benefit certain racial groups
- The controversial hiring changes allegedly violated federal civil-rights laws and are subject to ongoing litigation
- Air traffic control staffing shortages have created increased workloads, stress, and safety risks
- Former Transportation Secretary Buttigieg defended diversity initiatives while new Secretary Duffy has pledged to remove DEI practices from the FAA
Obama-Era Policy Changes Under Scrutiny
In 2014, under President Obama’s administration, the Federal Aviation Administration fundamentally altered its hiring process for air traffic controllers. The agency replaced its longstanding merit-based selection system with a new “Biographical Questionnaire.” This shift moved away from prioritizing candidates who had completed specialized collegiate training programs and demonstrated proficiency in the demanding skills required for air traffic control. Instead, the new approach emphasized demographic factors that critics argue downplayed critical qualifications in favor of broader inclusivity goals.
According to reports, the new testing criteria were specifically designed to benefit certain racial groups while reducing the percentage of Caucasian candidates who qualified. These changes prompted a lawsuit in 2015 alleging violations of federal civil-rights laws. Despite the passage of years, this litigation remains ongoing, with the federal government reportedly withholding over 14,000 documents related to the FAA’s hiring practices, despite Freedom of Information Act requests seeking transparency on the matter.
Biden and Buttigieg celebrated their infrastructure bill. 1.2 TRILLION dollars. The largest infrastructure package known to man.
They claimed it was going to change America.
They spent less than 1 percent of the money on fixing our air traffic control system.
They ignored… pic.twitter.com/FWc2KCpKAr
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) May 6, 2025
Safety Concerns and Staffing Shortages
The controversy surrounding these hiring practices gained renewed attention following a plane crash at Washington’s Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 deaths. While no direct causal link has been established between the hiring practices and the accident, it is one of multiple incidents this year that has intensified scrutiny of air traffic control operations nationwide. Critics argue that prioritizing demographic considerations over operational qualifications has contributed to a critical shortage of properly trained controllers, forcing existing staff to work longer hours under increasingly stressful conditions.
Recent incidents at Newark Airport highlight ongoing challenges in the air traffic control system. Multiple communications failures and operational issues have led to flight delays, cancellations, and safety concerns. Aviation experts have pointed to staffing shortages and equipment problems as contributing factors. These disruptions illustrate the real-world consequences of understaffing in critical aviation safety roles and raise questions about the FAA’s ability to maintain adequate staffing levels while ensuring controllers possess the necessary skills.
Political Responses to FAA Hiring Practices
The Trump administration reportedly discontinued the controversial hiring practices, reverting to selection criteria that emphasized technical qualifications and competence. However, under the Biden administration, the FAA defended its earlier actions as necessary efforts to eliminate racial barriers in the aviation sector. This policy shift reflects the ongoing tension between prioritizing diversity goals and maintaining rigorous qualification standards in safety-critical positions.
The debate has intensified with the appointment of new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has pledged to remove DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices from the FAA’s hiring processes. This commitment signals a potential return to qualification-based selection that prioritizes technical competence and demonstrated ability. Aviation professionals, including former air traffic controllers, have spoken out about the importance of maintaining rigorous standards in a profession where split-second decisions can have life-or-death consequences.
The Path Forward for Air Traffic Control
As the FAA works to address staffing shortages and operational challenges, the agency faces difficult questions about how to maintain staffing levels while recruiting and training new personnel. The ongoing problems at major airports like Newark underscore the real-world implications of these policy decisions. With lives literally hanging in the balance, the debate over air traffic controller hiring practices has emerged as a critical aspect of aviation safety policy that transcends political differences and focuses on the fundamental goal of safe air travel.
The aviation industry awaits clarity on how the FAA will address these challenges moving forward. Stakeholders from across the political spectrum acknowledge the need for a robust air traffic control workforce that meets the demands of an increasingly complex airspace system. How the agency balances various considerations in its hiring practices will have lasting implications for air travel safety and efficiency throughout the nation’s skies for years to come.
