CHICAGO (WGN) — Hundreds of probationary workers with the Federal Aviation Administration received notice over the weekend that they were being fired, causing concerns with air traffic safety as the agency continues to struggle with hiring goals amid American air traffic being busier than ever.
Less than three weeks after a mid-air collision killed 67 people, President Donald Trump's efficiency squad is taking aim at the FAA.
One laid-off employee who works at the FAA's Chicago regional office told WGN News he was notified at 10:30 p.m. Friday via an email that said his performance and probationary status were the reason for his termination, which he refuted because he said his bosses routinely praised his work and gave him positive feedback.
"These announcements are coming fast and furious and we're trying to grapple with what they are," US Representative Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) said.
"In terms of big picture—the employees and the assets of the federal government—we don't know what their plan is," US Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said.
Illinois congressional Democrats can complain, but they haven't been able to stop cuts, which now include several hundred FAA staffers. None of the cuts are air traffic controllers; but many of the roles support aviation safety and include radar mechanics and other technicians.
According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), they are "analyzing the effect of the reported federal employee terminations on aviation safety, the national airspace system and our members."
The cuts come despite the fact the FAA has struggled to keep key positions staffed as American air space is busier than ever. FAA reports show the Chicago Center in Aurora, which handles planes heading to and from the city, has 82% of the air traffic controllers it should. The tower at O'Hare International Airport is at 78% of its needed staffing.
"One of our new runways is rarely used because there's not enough staffing now. When you're waiting on the tarmac, or you're waiting on a delayed flight, or things aren't nearly as efficient at O'Hare and Midway it's because we don't have staffing," Quigley said. "One of the brand new runways we spent a fortune on is used in the single digit number because of total use."
Colt Iseminger, an aviation school instructor at the University of North Dakota, said schools that train air traffic controllers can't keep up with demand because of the amount of training needed to be effective in the profession.
"Normally on a shift, you'll have more lives in your hands than a doctor will ever have in their entire career," Iseminger said.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not returned WGN News' request for comment on this story.