02/28/2025

Musk Begs Retired Air Traffic Controllers to Return to Work

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX issued his appeal on X Tuesday

Elon Musk, who has been tasked with leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) taskforce, is pleading for retired air traffic controllers to consider returning to work amid an ongoing, nationwide shortage of qualified air safety workers.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX issued his appeal on X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday, citing "a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers," adding that "If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has faced a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers, while the agency's oversight of the skies has recently faced heightened scrutiny following a string of recent aviation incidents. Currently, more than 90 percent of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, and the towers do not meet standards set by a working group that includes the FAA and the controllers' union, according to a CBS News analysis of FAA data.

Please select this link to read the complete article from CBS News.