Audit: FAA should address air controller fatigue

[July 03, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal audit of Chicago's air traffic facilities shows most controllers have short rest periods between shifts, a factor which contributes to fatigue and could be a safety threat.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's audit released Thursday has been sent to the Federal Aviation Administration.

It shows most controllers at three Chicago facilities, which are among the 10 busiest nationwide, have had rest periods of fewer than 10 hours between shifts.

The audit also shows increased overtime.

The study was conducted between January 2008 and February at Sen. Dick Durbin's request.

The audit urges the FAA to make changes.

An FAA spokeswoman says the agency disputes some of the audit, but has made some changes and continues to monitor fatigue.

[Associated Press]

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