So when he gets very excited about the hiring push he claims he’s making to get some new air traffic controllers into airport towers, everyone should still think twice before booking their next plane ticket. If there was ever a job for which we’d want someone to get thoroughly vetted even if it takes a little longer, it would be air traffic controller. Is everyone okay with all our air traffic controllers being virgins? Second, the FAA announced in May that it wants to cut its “air traffic controller” staffing target by 2,000 bodies. Also, fewer than 10 percent of people who apply to become ATCs meet the requirements and get sent to the training center.