Ryan Knutson

Over the years, its reputation as a particularly tough place to work has made it hard to recruit people.

Over the years, its reputation as a particularly tough place to work has made it hard to recruit people.

Over the years, its reputation as a particularly tough place to work has made it hard to recruit people.

The Air Traffic Controllers Union declined to comment, as did a union rep for the New York TRACON. Earlier this year, the New York TRACON was running at 60% of its targeted staffing. And as we mentioned earlier, if there aren't enough air traffic controllers, the FAA has to throttle the number of flights.

The Air Traffic Controllers Union declined to comment, as did a union rep for the New York TRACON. Earlier this year, the New York TRACON was running at 60% of its targeted staffing. And as we mentioned earlier, if there aren't enough air traffic controllers, the FAA has to throttle the number of flights.

The Air Traffic Controllers Union declined to comment, as did a union rep for the New York TRACON. Earlier this year, the New York TRACON was running at 60% of its targeted staffing. And as we mentioned earlier, if there aren't enough air traffic controllers, the FAA has to throttle the number of flights.

In an effort to fix the staffing shortages and the delays, the FAA came up with an audacious plan. It carved off oversight of the airspace around Newark Airport and transferred it to Philadelphia. And just to be clear, they aren't moving the actual airplanes, just the air traffic controllers. Basically, the FAA believed it had to break apart the New York TRACON.

In an effort to fix the staffing shortages and the delays, the FAA came up with an audacious plan. It carved off oversight of the airspace around Newark Airport and transferred it to Philadelphia. And just to be clear, they aren't moving the actual airplanes, just the air traffic controllers. Basically, the FAA believed it had to break apart the New York TRACON.

In an effort to fix the staffing shortages and the delays, the FAA came up with an audacious plan. It carved off oversight of the airspace around Newark Airport and transferred it to Philadelphia. And just to be clear, they aren't moving the actual airplanes, just the air traffic controllers. Basically, the FAA believed it had to break apart the New York TRACON.

The agency hoped that the move would create new workplace dynamics. Philadelphia is also a more affordable city to live in, and the FAA thought that more air traffic controllers would want to live there.

The agency hoped that the move would create new workplace dynamics. Philadelphia is also a more affordable city to live in, and the FAA thought that more air traffic controllers would want to live there.

The agency hoped that the move would create new workplace dynamics. Philadelphia is also a more affordable city to live in, and the FAA thought that more air traffic controllers would want to live there.

How did the Controllers Union respond to this move?

How did the Controllers Union respond to this move?

How did the Controllers Union respond to this move?

Despite the pushback, the plan moved ahead. Earlier this year, the FAA moved 24 air traffic controllers from New York to Philadelphia. Some went voluntarily, but others were required to relocate. Four months later, the FAA says that by at least one measure, flight delays in the New York City region are down overall. But some things have gotten worse.

Despite the pushback, the plan moved ahead. Earlier this year, the FAA moved 24 air traffic controllers from New York to Philadelphia. Some went voluntarily, but others were required to relocate. Four months later, the FAA says that by at least one measure, flight delays in the New York City region are down overall. But some things have gotten worse.

Despite the pushback, the plan moved ahead. Earlier this year, the FAA moved 24 air traffic controllers from New York to Philadelphia. Some went voluntarily, but others were required to relocate. Four months later, the FAA says that by at least one measure, flight delays in the New York City region are down overall. But some things have gotten worse.

For instance, delays have sharply increased around Newark's airspace. United Airlines said that in November alone, travel for nearly 350,000 passengers was disrupted because of the shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA says that hiring more air traffic controllers is a top priority.

For instance, delays have sharply increased around Newark's airspace. United Airlines said that in November alone, travel for nearly 350,000 passengers was disrupted because of the shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA says that hiring more air traffic controllers is a top priority.