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BumRushDaShow

(171,752 posts) Sat Apr 11, 2026, 06:42 AM Apr 11

Trump team turns to unlikely group to fill much needed air traffic controller jobs - gamers [View all]

Source: The Independent

Friday 10 April 2026 19:05 EDT

Facing a national shortage of air traffic controllers, the Trump administration has turned to an unconventional pool of people for help: video game enthusiasts. On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration released a one-minute YouTube ad, urging gamers to swap their Xboxes and PlayStations for radar displays.

“You’ve been training for this,” the ad declares over the pulsing beat of song “Heads Will Roll.”. “Become an air traffic controller,” it continues. “It’s not a game. It’s a career.”

The video highlights an average salary of $155,000 after three years, and notes that the FAA will begin accepting applications April 17.

The FAA, which oversees aviation safety across the country, said in a statement that applicants must be U.S. citizens, under 31 years of age and fluent in English. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reposted the ad on X, urging his followers to “watch this.”

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/air-traffic-controller-jobs-gamers-trump-b2955577.html

Hopefully they are reminded over and over that "It's not a game!!!". The "games" that are being played are basically flight sims and/or FPS (First Person Shooters), so they are not "managing traffic in the air and/or on a runway".

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Highlight:

Trump team turns to unlikely group to fill much needed air traffic controller jobs - gamers [View all] BumRushDaShow Apr 11 OP

I think I won't be flying... 2naSalit Apr 11 #1

What could go wrong having a bunch of game jockeys deciding whether to land planes or cause a big exciting smashup! Lonestarblue Apr 11 #2

Putin is thrilled beyond belief. travelingthrulife Apr 11 #11

Dear God. Have you ever watched some of these kids play RollerCoaster Tycoon? Baitball Blogger Apr 11 #3

$155,000 after three years is excellent pay Polybius Apr 11 #4

Its a Government Job Smackdown2019 Apr 11 #7

Don't forget rotating shifts. Prof. Toru Tanaka Apr 11 #16

Some jobs come with so much responsibility and stress.... paleotn Apr 11 #13

I've read accounts of some of these employees.... wolfie001 Apr 11 #25

Not even close thumper2547 Apr 11 #30

"Heads Will Roll" seems an appropriate ad campaign song for this "initiative" maxrandb Apr 11 #5

That is one of the best analogies of this maladministration I have read. Prof. Toru Tanaka Apr 11 #17

As long as they are well-screened and well-trained I don't think it's a crazy idea. Martin68 Apr 11 #6

You think anyone in this nightmare is "well-screened" and "well-trained?" AZLD4Candidate Apr 11 #10

I agree. NH Ethylene Apr 11 #15

That's sarcasm, right? choie Apr 11 #19

No, it's not. NH Ethylene Apr 11 #23

Yeah and if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a trolley. choie Apr 11 #20

All the air traffic controllers had to be trained. NH Ethylene Apr 11 #24

Gamers could be a valid pool to draw from not fooled Apr 11 #31

One more reason among many not to fly... Ford_Prefect Apr 11 #8

So if they cause a crash, don't worry. . .the planes will just respawn. AZLD4Candidate Apr 11 #9

Exactly popsdenver Apr 11 #34

I can hear them now...."how hard can it be?" paleotn Apr 11 #12

No more lives? Just hit 'reset'! Aristus Apr 11 #14

Okay, we are in the shit. choie Apr 11 #18

This is fine JoseBalow Apr 11 #21

I also don't think it's a bad idea GenThePerservering Apr 11 #22

It's productive, and isn't centered on self-fulfillment. They won't be interested. OC375 Apr 11 #26

The flaw in this logic is that when you lose a computer game, you simply start over. Nobody gets hurt. patphil Apr 11 #27

Can they work from their mom's basement? ToxMarz Apr 11 #28

Another good reason not to fly. J_William_Ryan Apr 11 #29

Only if the game they play is Microsoft Flight Simulator. Crowman2009 Apr 11 #32

I've flown those since 1984 on my Commodore. Flying FS 2020 currently Bengus81 Apr 11 #33

Ever try to fly the Wright Flyer in MS Simulator? Crowman2009 Apr 11 #35

2004 MSFS Century of Flight....I still have it in the "tin" it came Bengus81 Apr 11 #37

Did they have one of those 1930's air racing planes? Crowman2009 Apr 11 #38

Holy Jesus! Remind me never to fly again. n/t PatrickforB Apr 11 #36

WTAF FFS? Faux pas Apr 12 #39