More Rest Time Between Shifts Mandated For U.S. Air Controllers

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said yesterday the U.S. will increase the required rest time to nine hours for air traffic controllers after a string of reports involving controllers falling asleep on the job.

“I’m really mad about it,” LaHood said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.” “We’re going to make sure that controllers are well rested. We are doing everything we can 24-7 to correct the problem. We cannot allow controllers to fall asleep.”