While some are quick to blame the Trump administration for the disaster, a closer examination reveals that significant changes in FAA hiring procedures began during the Obama era. These changes, which prioritized workforce diversity over experience, may have inadvertently compromised aviation safety standards. What role did the controversial “Biographical Assessment” play in the selection process?
FAA’s Shift in Hiring Practices
In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a directive titled “Controller Hiring by the Numbers,” which marked a significant shift in hiring practices for air traffic controllers. This change, occurring during the Obama administration, placed a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the recruitment process.
The directive aimed to achieve specific diversity goals within the FAA workforce. However, critics argue that this focus may have come at the expense of job performance standards, potentially compromising aviation safety.
UPDATE: DC Aviation Disaster
Meet Andrew Brigida.. an aspiring and intelligent Air Traffic Controller
Despite scoring a 100% on his training exam, he was denied a job because FAA DEI policies determined he didn’t have the right skin color.
He is now part of a class action… pic.twitter.com/tkPXJ6nyS2
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) January 31, 2025
Controversial “Biographical Assessment”
In 2012, the FAA introduced a “Biographical Assessment” as an additional screening tool for air traffic controller applicants. This assessment was implemented alongside the existing training requirements and the AT-SAT cognitive test, with the stated goal of increasing minority representation in the workforce.
The assessment’s scoring criteria raised eyebrows among industry professionals. Surprisingly, it awarded points for seemingly irrelevant factors such as participation in high school sports, while giving minimal or no points for having a pilot’s license or military experience as an air traffic controller.
REMINDER: Biden’s pick to lead the FAA was a DEI hire who couldn’t answer a single question about aviation. pic.twitter.com/Wpq27SSm9P
— Jessica 🇺🇸 (@RealJessica05) January 30, 2025
Allegations and Congressional Action
A class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging that DEI activists and FAA officials provided answers to certain ethnic groups during the assessment process. This alleged action resulted in the rejection of over 3,000 qualified candidates, raising serious concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the hiring system.
Recognizing the issues surrounding the Biographical Assessment, Congress took action in 2018. They mandated that the FAA eliminate this controversial screening tool from its hiring process, signaling a need for reform in the agency’s recruitment strategies.
