FAA Neglects Air Traffic Controller Raises Because “10-Hour Shifts 6 Days A Week” Isn’t Enough

Published Aug 28, 2026, 4:58 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. Continued strain on the air traffic control system in the United States has seen the Federal Aviation Administration administrator Bryan Bedford link a sweep of changes. This raises questions as to what is holding up the last of a 2.8% raise, which was approved by Congress in April. This comes as the workforce remains around 3,000 controllers short, and current and former controllers are warning that the ongoing staffing problems are hemorrhaging morale, complicating the recruitment process, and leaving the nation's air traffic system susceptible to weather and other disruptions. Controllers Are Working Ten Hour Shifts Six Days A Week Credit: Shutterstock As analyzed by Anna Giartitelli on X, the new proposal suggests that controllers should be permitted to spend more time on shift while on duty; however, at the same time explaining that between 2023 and 2025, acceptable overtime levels far exceeded reasonable use. The chronic overtime that is being forced on controllers has been shown to increase fatigue, burnout, and loss of controllers in the workforce as they look for other jobs. Currently, some air traffic controllers are working up to ten hour shifts, six days a week, resulting in little downtime outside of work in their working week before returning for the next shift. The FAA's claim that controllers are not being productive enough to earn the same income raise as other government employees has left controllers increasingly aggravated. Dave Riley, a retired air traffic controller, spoke with the Washington Examiner and explained that during his tenure at both Denver International Airport (DEN) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), he suggested that the excessive amounts of overtime for an extremely long period, and additional training interruptions have resulted in it being increasingly difficult for the administration to rebuild the workforce. Working Ten Hour Shifts: The Reality for Air Traffic Controllers Credit: Shutterstock With continued pressure on the US aviation system, it comes as no surprise that the strain is starting to show to the public. If control towers are already operating with low staffing numbers, and then this is exacerbated by adverse weather, other controllers calling in sick, and other disruptions, it can result in controllers having limited ability to absorb any additional traffic. As a result, this can lead to the need for the FAA to slow the flow of aircraft to and from affected airspaces, leading to delayed or canceled flights throughout the country. A staffing problem at one tower can ultimately result in delays or long waits for airlines and passengers at all corners of the country. As outlined by one controller who wanted to remain anonymous, the ongoing concerns about staffing numbers have raised concerns about professional retaliation, with some facilities being forced to operate with slim margins that can see the absence of one or two controllers be enough to tip the tower over the edge and see the FAA required to limit the number of aircraft permitted in that airspace. A 2.8% Raise Was Approved By Congress In April. Credit: Shutterstock Back in April, Congress approved funding that would bring controllers' pay in line with a 3.8% increase awarded to military personnel. Controllers had already received the 1% issued to federal employees in January; the remaining 2.8% remains to be implemented. The FAA has pushed back, suggesting that the agency has its own attached conditions that will be part of the additional pay, which points to new language that is looking to determine whether operational improvements have been reached. FAA spokesperson Hannah Walden explained that the FAA determines workforce scheduling, staff utilization, and other operational efficiency, and that the statute gives the administrator the discretion as to whether the pay adjustment should be retroactive back to January. Bedford has cited that there must be an effort to increase controller utilization and scheduling, and one of the FAA's most significant opportunities to improve the current performance is through better use of tools to utilize its workforce more efficiently. Within this plan, it suggests that controllers averaged around four hours in position during an eight-hour shift, and this should be increased to around five hours. The agency is considering reviewing basic watch schedules and evaluating facilities' hours of operation to ensure that this is best matched with the limited workforce.