Facing budget shortfalls due to increased spending on federal pension and retirement entitlements, the FAA thinks those creating the problem may also be the solution. The agency plans to bring on twenty to twenty five retirees as part-time volunteer air traffic controllers. The average age of volunteer controllers in a recent pilot program used to launch the initiative was 73.4. While employees retiring from the FAA are eligible for the positions, so far none have signed up. Prior work experience in a tower control role is a plus, but not a requirement, according to an FAA spokesperson.

Volunteer controllers participate in a rigorous eight-day training course before they are eligible to begin taking shifts. While the positions are unpaid, many retirees are deeply interested in serving their communities, keeping busy, or in some cases just getting out of the house, a source noted.

Donald Margolis, a full-time air traffic control supervisor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in favor of the program. "I recently had to take time off at work due to a family issue, and I know they could have used an extra set of hands and eyes to help pick up the slack in the tower," Margolis said. He continued "sometimes things get hairy just monitoring flights over ABQ, so you can imagine the type of help they need at places like JFK or LAX."

The initiative is expected to roll out across eight cities throughout the month of April.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2854823&forum_id=2#27686382)

is this a joke article?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2854823&forum_id=2#27687083)