An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport
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What recent crisis occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport?
Over the last few weeks, a crisis has unfolded just outside New York City at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Controllers losing communications with packed passenger planes approaching for landing and planes taking off.
In late April, the radios that controllers used to talk to airplanes went silent. And the radar they used to guide the planes suddenly went dark.
unable to see, hear, or talk to the pilots of the aircraft they were monitoring.
Controllers were in the dark for a harrowing 90 seconds. Then last week, it happened again. Another outage earlier this morning. And then just a few days ago, another malfunction. Another technical issue at Newark Airport today forcing a 45-minute ground stop, leading to more delays and cancellations. Government officials say they're working to fix the equipment problems. And the CEO of United Airlines, which has a major hub at Newark, has personally tried to reassure the public. In an email to customers, he said that it is, quote, absolutely safe to fly out of the airport. But there's another voice that you don't often hear from after incidents like this. The people on the front lines of air safety. And this week, the Journal sat down with one of them.
Who is Jonathan Stewart and what is his role as an air traffic controller?
My name is Jonathan Stewart. I'm an air traffic controller. I received my first rating in 2000. Excuse my voice. Apparently, I'm losing an occupational hazard. I don't think anybody wants to be involved in any sort of incident where safety is compromised. Nobody wants to be involved in that. It's not on anybody's wish list. So yes, under a lot of stress, under duress, yes, you don't want to be involved in any kind of incident where there's a loss of life.
Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Annie Minoff. It's Thursday, May 15th. Coming up on the show, the chaos at Newark through the eyes of an air traffic controller.
We heard he wanted to go public and talk to us on the record, and we were eager to get his perspective.
That's aviation reporter Andrew Tangle. He sat down with air traffic controller Jonathan Stewart earlier this week to talk about what's been going on at Newark. The circumstances of their conversation were a bit unusual. As the interview kicked off, Jonathan smoked a cigar while gunfire went off in the background.
It was suggested that we meet at a gun range he goes to. And at this particular range, there's this lounge that's outfitted with Chesterfield chairs and couches and fireplace. It's very cozy.
I come here and fire off some rounds and, you know, stay proficient at using my weapon of choice, my weapons of choice. And it's just, it's a great way to relieve stress, yeah.
Jonathan has been in air traffic control for 25 years. He started his career in the Air Force in the late 90s.
I joined the Air Force to do air traffic control. I didn't do nothing about it. I just knew that I wanted to do it. It sounded cool. I got a copy of what's referred to as the Pilot Controller Glossary, which has various terminology in it. That means nothing to anybody if you're not in aviation, but I memorized a bunch of it just for fun. Yeah, that's about it, man. The rest is history.
And why do you like it?
I like it because it's effing fun, man. Like it, for lack of a better way to put it, like we get off on it. Like we, when I say we, the newer controllers, supervisors, line controllers, regardless, We enjoy that, man. I mean, it's an adrenaline rush and you have to, you play God because you cannot fail. You cannot make a mistake, okay? So we are responsible for the lives of every single person on that airplane. And there's the old saying that an air traffic controller is responsible for more lives in one shift than a doctor or a surgeon or whatever in his entire career. And that is the case.
What are the challenges and risks faced by air traffic controllers at Newark?
What do air traffic controllers do and what role do they play in aviation safety?
We are the guys that are guiding your pilots home. So that means when your airplane takes off and your wheels up and your captain is told to contact departure, that's me.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What recent crisis occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport?
0:05–1:24
2
Who is Jonathan Stewart and what is his role as an air traffic controller?
1:24–4:40
3
What are the challenges and risks faced by air traffic controllers at Newark?
4:40–6:58
4
How does air traffic control work and what makes Newark's airspace complex?
6:58–9:15
5
What staffing shortages and technical problems are affecting Newark's air traffic control?
9:15–11:22
6
What changes did the FAA make to address staffing and what were the consequences?
11:22–14:27
7
How do these issues impact travelers and overall aviation safety?
14:27–18:10