Staffing levels at the control tower are critically low. The Federal Aviation Administration has reduced the number of air traffic control specialist at Yeager Airport even though flights have risen. In 1994, staffing consisted of 25 air traffic controllers, three assistants, four supervisors, and three staff specialists. Today, we are authorized only 21 controllers, no assistants, two supervisors, and one staff specialist a loss of 11 jobs. One controller must do the job of two or even three controllers.
Mistakes can and do happen.
On July 17, United Airlines flight 7801, a regional jet operated by United Express-Atlantic Coast, departed Yeager Airport with 48 passengers and three crew members destined for Chicago. The lone air traffic controller was extremely busy working the two primary radar positions combined. Flight 7801 climbed to 10,000 feet and flew for 35 miles before the pilot radioed back asking for higher altitude. By this time it was too late. The flight has already entered another facilities airspace.