WASHINGTON (Reuters)-a third air traffic controller is fired for sleeping on the job, even if some say Naps may be during working hours to improve controller attention.
The termination of the controller followed several highly publicized incidents that have included sleeping controllers, an unresponsive controller watching a movie in Ohio and an aborted landing of first lady Michelle Obama plane at Andrews Air Force Base.
The Boeing field in Seattle computer layoffs this week fell asleep twice in the past few months, once in January and once on 11 April, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In the aftermath of the various revelations there are several recent changes in regulation, including new guidelines for off-hours, borders shift swapping, and increased staff of FAA managers during late night and early morning hours.
A member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Monday that supervisors also allowing controlled sleeping during working hours need to consider for combating fatigue.
Mark Rose child, an expert, told reporters that scientific studies show short NAPs fatigue can improve performance and alertness.
Rose child noted that controller fatigue has a matter raised in policy debates since the early 1980s.
A group of air traffic controllers recommended this year that the FAA allow Naps on certain shifts, including nights when more than one domain controller on duty.
The FAA considered Naps allows for controllers but transport Secretary Ray LaHood opposes the idea, saying "we're not going to pay controllers to NAP."
"My scientific side would say that checked napping, effective use of caffeine and each science-based strategy that works and should be available," said Rose child. "Every one of those, at least should be on the table for the treatment."
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