Gov't: Sleeping controller problem 'will not stand'

[April 14, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says indications of controllers asleep in airport towers are very disturbing and vows the problem "will not stand on my watch."

LaHood told "The Early Show" on CBS that he's very displeased with several recent incidents of sleeping controllers across the country, including a problem revealed Wednesday at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

The former Illinois congressman who now runs the Transportation Department said, "We're not going to sit back and wait for somebody to tell us what to do." He noted that the Obama administration has ordered additional staffing.

LaHood promised a "top to bottom" review of procedures in airport towers and said the public needs to know his agency won't tolerate controllers falling sleeping while on duty. He said he's determined to "get to the bottom" of the situation.

[Associated Press]

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