this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2026
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Do video game players make ideal recruits to be air traffic controllers? The FAA is targeting gamers directly in its new hiring push.

The Federal Aviation Administration is officially recruiting video game players to be part of the next generation of air traffic controllers. Part of that push has been accompanied by a new ad campaign aimed at gamers that uses video game footage and Xbox sound effects to make the pitch that players can earn a six-figure salary by applying their in-game skills to the real world.

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[–] ThatGuy46475@lemmy.world 89 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Idea: atc roguelike, the highest setting is the U.S. where you randomly don’t get paid sometimes

[–] 18107@aussie.zone 4 points 2 weeks ago

You also have to work 2-3 positions at the same time, without the required equipment to accurately monitor the location of planes, with faulty alarms going off multiple times per day, and you get blamed if you lose concentration for a second at the wrong moment.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 34 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

What do you mean there's no quick load on this game?

[–] Billygoat@piefed.social 19 points 2 weeks ago

Dude, you can’t save scum your way to coordinating the airspace.

[–] Tylerdurdon@lemmy.world 27 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Future News Headline

FAA under scrutiny after air traffic controller terrifies numerous passengers because he was bored.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 18 points 2 weeks ago

Don't pilots already do that?

[–] Wunz@lemmy.world 25 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Until the next government shutdown...

[–] OpenStars@piefed.social 12 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Wait... but the current one is still going on though!?!? (The 3rd one this fiscal year I mean, since October 2025)

[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

anyone remember 2013 which is when I first learned that government shutdowns were a thing that existed and when they were an extraordinary occurrence? :'D

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[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago

they sure arnt reporting this in the MSM, because last freaked out alot of people from both sides.

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 23 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Here's an idea: offer to pay for their education and give them a stable career with a comfortable salary, comprehensive benefits package, and room for advancement.

Oh, what's that? You won't, because then billionaires wouldn't be able to treat them like slaves? Well, suck it then. No ATCs for you!

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

reagan made it untenable for people to be one, plus very limited age you have to be one, and to retire "early" than 60.

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Reagan really set us up for a lot of shit that came later.

Someone on Lemmy recently told me that was "great person fallacy." Like what the fuck? No it isn't. The man is directly responsible for a whole bundle of decisions which fucked the US (and the world) over for decades, and we're still dealing with the aftermath. I don't know why anyone would try to defend Reagan, and using an argument against hero worship to do it. Makes no sense...

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[–] sundray@lemmus.org 22 points 2 weeks ago

"What's up chat, today we're going to be routing traffic at LAX--whoa, is that Elon's private plane?"

[–] _lilith@lemmy.world 21 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

oh man that sounds so fun. Let me sign up to work abusive hours in an understaffed underpaid position that requires a high level of skill and multitasking using outdated technology. Also I'll get to fight bees and bats on the way to my un air conditioned office at the top of a tower because the elevator has been broken since 2007

As a bonus sometimes you get to work a second job because the paycheck stops randomly

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

oh and you may or may not get on a waiting list, from what ive heard its quite long and then potentially go in the middle of nowhere to "TRAIN" for like 2 years, and then you have to get certs. and the salary(in cali its around 53,4k starting salary)? its laughable for what you go through. and you dont get to choose locations of employment. Might as well use all that time to become a nurse, which makes way more.

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Sounds gamers are over qualified for that

[–] Gust@piefed.social 19 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The FAA wants to recruit children as ATC because most people who have been alive for longer have seen how quickly the FAA will fuck them over and try to get them to work for free while striking is illegal. I wouldn't even consider working ATC before like $150k/yr based on all the "work without pay during the shutdown" fuckery I've seen from the FAA during my lifetime

[–] OpenStars@piefed.social 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The more desperate someone is - and also red-pilled - the more likely that they will accept working under those, or any, conditions.

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[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

i took a quick glance at cali, starting salary, its abysmal low for how long and expensive to become one, at around 53.4k for starters. basically its like being a teacher.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago

It's amazing to me that there are not daily crashes.

[–] SeeMarkFly@lemmy.ml 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I know my hours of playing Tetris got me a job at the store bagging groceries. Employee of the month!

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Tetris = bagging

Starcraft = air traffic control

Minecraft = architecture

Sims = HR

Pokemon = animal control

Assetto Corsa = Uber

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[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

Will they really get paid, though?

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago

yes but not a high salary, but a pretty low one if they can BECOME an atc.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 weeks ago

"hello passengers, this is you captain..uhhh.... we're going to have to do another circle around Chicago because ...uhhh...our traffic controller rage quit and called us a bunch of f*gs"

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Bad idea! You know they'll all rage quit.

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[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

the problem is that, its extremely restrictive to get in even to start school, plus you can be over 31, plus other DQs.

[–] njm1314@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think I read once that there was maybe two schools in the nation that could certify you. Hell it might have been one. So incredibly hard to get into, and producing an incredibly small number of trained individuals.

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[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

Do you want ATC to tell planes to do a barrel roll?

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago

They will all have either psychological issues or previous cannabis use. Both are lifetime disqualifying conditions because the laws in force were written in the 1930s.

[–] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Fun fact: there've been a bunch of ATC simulator games back in the eighties to mid-nineties, but the most successful ongoing series seems to be ‘Air Traffic Controller’, which is of course Japanese. Aside from Windows, it notably includes versions for PSP, DS, 3DS, and several mobile ports that are probably only released in Japan.

Supposedly the series includes layouts of real airports, mostly Japanese ones.

[–] a_wild_mimic_appears@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

A fun game is Mini Airways, which also deals with managing the takeoff and landing of planes. According to this Game, I am NOT qualified for that job.

[–] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

One would think that this game is from the same developer as ‘Mini Metro’ and ‘Mini Motorways’, but nope. 🤔

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] TwilitSky@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

This statement will always be true.

[–] ryannathans@aussie.zone 7 points 2 weeks ago

That's been the norm for years in au/nz

[–] webkitten@piefed.social 7 points 2 weeks ago

I escaped from the airport in a plane as Trevor in GTA 5. Put me in, coach.

[–] fodor@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 weeks ago

Better pay them massive signing bonuses. Otherwise they be like fuck no, thank you kindly.

[–] stupidcasey@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

From what I know about the FAA they would probably recruit a squirrel if they could get away with it.

[–] curiousaur@reddthat.com 6 points 2 weeks ago

Strict drug testing as phyc evaluations. You can't even be on antidepressants. Good luck.

[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Oh dear god, they're to hire AirForceProud.

[–] TonyOstrich@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago

That's a no go on runway 12 E, its currently being used by a Blimp... with an approach speed of ... Mach 3 ... and ... there he goes ...

Ahem, you are clear to approach on 12 E.

[–] BlackLaZoR@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Keeping all that planes from colliding, and taking responsibility for all these lives?

They'd have to pay me like $1M in annual salary

[–] DrSteveBrule@mander.xyz 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Who qualifies as a gamer? Are much money can I expect to start off making with my Dark Souls no hit, no bonfire run on ng+?

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[–] tal@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago
[–] the_mighty_kracken@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Can't wait for gamergate at gate 9.

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