Annie Minoff

But lately, Jonathan says that he and other controllers have been pushed beyond their limits. Throughout the country, air traffic control facilities are understaffed. The FAA has almost 11,000 fully certified controllers, but that's about 3,000 short of its target.

Staffing shortages at Newark aren't just a problem for controllers like Jonathan. Our colleague Andrew says they're also a problem for travelers.

Staffing shortages at Newark aren't just a problem for controllers like Jonathan. Our colleague Andrew says they're also a problem for travelers.

Staffing shortages at Newark aren't just a problem for controllers like Jonathan. Our colleague Andrew says they're also a problem for travelers.

And so to try to fix the staffing problem, the FAA made a big move. Last year, it moved oversight of Newark's airspace from Long Island, where it had been for years, to Philadelphia.

And so to try to fix the staffing problem, the FAA made a big move. Last year, it moved oversight of Newark's airspace from Long Island, where it had been for years, to Philadelphia.

And so to try to fix the staffing problem, the FAA made a big move. Last year, it moved oversight of Newark's airspace from Long Island, where it had been for years, to Philadelphia.

But this move to Philly also created some unforeseen consequences.

But this move to Philly also created some unforeseen consequences.

But this move to Philly also created some unforeseen consequences.

Instead of having its own radar, the new facility would rely on a link from Long Island. But that link wasn't always reliable. That became frighteningly clear in late April, when those Newark controllers lost their radar and radios for about 90 seconds.

Instead of having its own radar, the new facility would rely on a link from Long Island. But that link wasn't always reliable. That became frighteningly clear in late April, when those Newark controllers lost their radar and radios for about 90 seconds.

Instead of having its own radar, the new facility would rely on a link from Long Island. But that link wasn't always reliable. That became frighteningly clear in late April, when those Newark controllers lost their radar and radios for about 90 seconds.

For the controllers involved, the ongoing glitches around Newark Airport have been harrowing.

For the controllers involved, the ongoing glitches around Newark Airport have been harrowing.

For the controllers involved, the ongoing glitches around Newark Airport have been harrowing.

Air traffic controllers can take trauma leave after an incident to look after their mental health. Earlier this month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that workers taking trauma leave had made the staffing situation at Newark worse. He described controllers as having, quote, walked off the job.

Air traffic controllers can take trauma leave after an incident to look after their mental health. Earlier this month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that workers taking trauma leave had made the staffing situation at Newark worse. He described controllers as having, quote, walked off the job.

Air traffic controllers can take trauma leave after an incident to look after their mental health. Earlier this month, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that workers taking trauma leave had made the staffing situation at Newark worse. He described controllers as having, quote, walked off the job.

That comment rubbed Jonathan the wrong way.