FAA Fires Air Traffic Controllers For Sleeping

New rules being brought in covering flights carrying the first lady or vice president

WASHINGTON — New rules are going into effect for how air traffic controllers handle flights when the first lady or the vice president are on board following an aborted landing of a plane carrying Michelle Obama this week.

It was also announced Wednesday that two air traffic controllers had been fired for sleeping on the job.

Flights carrying Mrs. Obama or Vice President Joe Biden will be handled by an air traffic supervisor rather than a controller, the FAA said.

The new rules apply to approaches and departures handled by a regional air traffic facility in Warrenton, Va., and takeoffs and landings at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where the presidential fleet is based.

Flights with the president on board are already required to be handled by a supervisor.

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