News: potential for disaster

The news was buzzing this morning about an event that happened late Tuesday night. A lone air traffic controller was working the tower at Reagan Airport, and he fell asleep on the job. As a result, two passenger planes decided to land without him.



Although I was aware of the occupational challenges for truck drivers and medical doctors that lead to sleep-deprived folks on duty, I've never come across the same for air traffic controllers. I hope they release more information about the conditions surrounding the incident, and the industry pressures in general.