Air traffic controllers are the silent guardians of the skies. They are rarely seen by passengers, yet they are indispensable to the safe takeoff and landing of every plane at airports around the world. Stationed in control towers, radar rooms, and approach centers, they coordinate thousands of aircraft movements each day with precision, orchestrating the flow of air travel with unmatched vigilance.
But behind this calm and controlled exterior lies a storm of pressure, responsibility, and growing fatigue. The modern air traffic control system, particularly in the United States, is under immense strain. Controllers are being pushed to their limits by various stressors that are adding burdens to a job that requires making life-and-death decisions in real time.
There are many challenges that air traffic controllers face, and many personal tolls that are taken in the name of aviation. Click through this gallery to find out what they are.