The Federal Aviation Administration has laid off hundreds of probationary employees as the agency planned a visit from Elon Musk’s employees on Monday.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated in a Sunday post on X that members of the SpaceX team would be visiting the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in New Baltimore, Virginia, on Monday to make improvements to the federal air traffic control system.
“America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world,” Duffy said in the post. “To do that, I need advice from the brightest minds in America. I’m asking for help from any high-tech American developer or company that is willing to give back to our country.”
America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world.
To do that, I need advice from the brightest minds in America.
I’m asking for help from any…
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 17, 2025
On Saturday, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union issued a statement denouncing the termination of “several hundred” of its probationary employees at the FAA.
PASS stated that these employees were sent messages from a non-governmental email address late Friday night. The union said it was possible that other employees will be notified over the weekend or barred from entering FAA buildings on Tuesday following Monday’s federal holiday.
“We are troubled and disappointed by the administration’s decision to fire FAA probationary employees PASS represents without cause nor based on performance or conduct,” said David Spero, National President of PASS, in the statement.
“These are not nameless, faceless bureaucrats,” he continued. “They are our family, friends and neighbors. They contribute to our communities. Many military veterans are among them. It is shameful to toss aside dedicated public servants who have chosen to work on behalf of their fellow Americans.”
Spero concluded his statement by saying the decision to fire these employees was “hastily made,” “did not focus on mission-critical needs and was harmful to employees.
Early reports indicate the layoffs will impact around 300 PASS-represented employees.
Positions affected, according to PASS, include maintenance staff, aeronautical information specialists, environmental protection specialists, aviation safety assistants, and administrative personnel.
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg posted on X Monday saying the flying public “needs answers” regarding how many FAA personnel were fired, what specific positions were affected, and why they were let go.
AirlineGeeks reached out to the FAA for comment.
