Trump Administration Targets Adult Gamers for Air Traffic Controller Jobs

The government calls gamers 'a growing demographic of young adults' with 'many' complex skills needed for the role.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic air traffic control tower, with intricate digital components and infrastructure illuminated by vibrant neon lights, conceptually representing the modernization of air traffic control systems.Cutting-edge technology and a new generation of air traffic controllers aim to keep the skies safe as air travel demands soar.Newark Today

The Trump administration is looking to recruit adult video game players to become air traffic controllers, touting an average salary of $155,000 per year after 3 years on the job. The federal agency put out a video ad that mimics the style of an Xbox game, telling prospective applicants they've 'been training for this' and that it's 'not a game, it's a career.' This comes as the Department of Transportation and FAA have faced challenges with outdated technology and hiring practices.

Why it matters

The government's unconventional recruitment strategy for air traffic controllers highlights the challenges the transportation agencies have faced, including outdated technology and a need to hire thousands of new controllers. Targeting adult gamers as a potential talent pool reflects the administration's view that video game skills could translate well to the complex demands of air traffic control.

The details

The 70-second video recruitment ad starts like an Xbox game, building suspense before revealing the job opportunity is to become an air traffic controller. The ad touts an 'average salary' of $155,000 per year after 3 years on the job. This comes as the Department of Transportation has reported issues with 'incredibly old technology' like floppy discs and copper wires causing flight groundings, and the FAA has faced scrutiny over hiring people with disabilities for air traffic control roles.

  • In 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported a near hour-long grounding of planes linked to 'incredibly old technology' at the FAA.
  • Earlier in 2025, documents showed the FAA had been hiring people with disabilities, including 'hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability, and dwarfism' for air traffic control roles.
  • Last September, Duffy met a goal to recruit 2,026 new air traffic controllers, with a stated goal of hiring 8,900 new controllers through 2028.

The players

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who reported issues with outdated technology at the FAA and set goals to hire thousands of new air traffic controllers.

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What they’re saying

“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt. This campaign's innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

What’s next

The Trump administration will continue its recruitment efforts to hire thousands of new air traffic controllers, including through unconventional strategies like targeting adult video game players.

The takeaway

The government's unorthodox approach to recruiting air traffic controllers by appealing to adult gamers underscores the significant challenges facing the transportation agencies, from outdated technology to hiring shortages. This strategy reflects the administration's belief that video game skills could translate well to the complex demands of air traffic control.