Friday, April 10, 2026

Gamers as air traffic controllers -- That's the career pitch

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Department launched a campaign Friday targeting video gamers for the job, which is crucial for keeping the U.S. skies safe.

Posted by lamplighter at 06:33 PM | 15 COMMENTS | permalink

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Trump And The FAA Targeting Gamers To Help Solve Air Traffic Controller Shortage

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-- Kotaku (@kotaku.com) Apr 10, 2026 at 1:37 PM

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More from the article ...

... On average air traffic controllers handle about 45,000 flights per day.

In a video that opens with the Xbox One logo and then quickly transitions to flashing graphics from favorite games paired with hard techno beats, the government tells gamers they've been training to be controllers all along. The tag line: "It's not a Game. It's a Career."

And not only is it an important job -- it's also one that will make the viewer "a lot of money," according to the video, which touts average annual salaries of $155,000 after three years. ...



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-10 02:59 PM

Imagine if they simply spent the advertising budget paying ATC...

#2 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-04-10 03:19 PM

"Now the U.S. government is proclaiming that all is not lost,"

PEDO DONNIE's "government"? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

#3 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-04-10 06:16 PM

Imagine if they simply spent the advertising budget paying ATC...
#2 | Posted by snoofy

$155,000avg after 3yrs isn't enough?

What is?

#4 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-04-10 07:02 PM

Wait a minute-the guy next to me just put his hand over my eyes!

#5 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2026-04-10 09:35 PM

We'll see.
Gamers are used to nothing really bad happening when they screw up. Letting go of that experience may be a challenge.

#6 | Posted by morris at 2026-04-10 11:35 PM

Yeah. We'll see.

Are they also eliminating the educational requirements?

Hard to get a bachelors degree when you are always lost in the Mines of Moria.

#7 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-04-11 10:38 AM

What are they saying... they might actually--------?

#8 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2026-04-11 11:47 AM

$155,000avg after 3yrs isn't enough?
What is?

#4 | Posted by oneironaut

So, you want to pay the people who are controlling the traffic around your flights to be paid as little as their employers can get away with... Got it.

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-04-11 05:24 PM

Gamers... Well, they would be employees unbothered by the carnage playing out their screens.

#10 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-04-11 05:26 PM

$155,000avg after 3yrs isn't enough?
What is?
#4 | Posted by oneironaut

^
You wouldn't take that offer.
What's enough for you?

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-04-11 05:27 PM

Gamers... Well, they would be employees unbothered by the carnage playing out their screens.
#10 | Posted by Whatsleft

Yeah.

Video games cause school shootings, according to Republicans.

Who wouldn't want highly trained school shooters directing air traffic?

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-04-11 05:29 PM

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft: I think 'ole Ronnie tried that back in the 80s-didn't work then either.

#13 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2026-04-12 06:59 PM

You wouldn't take that offer.
What's enough for you?

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-04-11 05:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

I saw base salary offerings of $173k 2 years ago. With OT they make >$200k if they're in a busy city. +20% for training roles. +10% for being in charge of the tower at any given time.

You don't even have to work for the Fed.

How much is your mental health worth? 4x the rate of anxiety as the general population. 3x the suicide rate. Big culture of fear, breaking costs you your career.

#14 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-04-12 07:18 PM

Gamers... Well, they would be employees unbothered by the carnage playing out their screens.

#10 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2026-04-11 05:26 PM | Reply | Flag:

and people call me cynical lol. jeez. Your ATC are already gamers, to de-stress, and they do actually care if you live or die.

#15 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2026-04-12 07:20 PM

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