Too few controllers have been on the job across the country in general, and in the Baltimore-Washington corridor in particular, in recent years.

As of data released in fall of 2024, the FAA said they had more than 14,000 air traffic controllers. Most controllers average $158,000 per year salary. Rules require that air traffic controllers retire at age 56. The NTSB released a thorough report following the crash in Lexington, you can read here.