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CRWG 2025: How the New Staffing Targets Changed Everything

December 31, 2025

In June 2025, the FAA officially adopted the Collaborative Resource Workgroup (CRWG) staffing targets, fundamentally changing how we measure facility staffing. The result? An instant need for over 1,500 additional controllers across the National Airspace System.

What is CRWG?

The CRWG is a joint effort between the FAA Air Traffic Organization and NATCA to determine realistic staffing targets based on actual operational needs rather than historical budget constraints. Unlike the FAA's previous staffing standards, CRWG targets only count Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) - not trainees or CPC-ITs.

The FAA's 2025-2028 Controller Workforce Plan now includes facility-by-facility CRWG targets in its appendix.

The Big Picture

When the CRWG targets went into effect, 284 facilities saw their staffing percentages drop overnight - not because anyone left, but because the targets increased to reflect actual needs.

Biggest Target Increases

These facilities saw the largest absolute increases in their CPC targets. Most are En Route centers, which historically have been under-counted.

Notable changes:

  • ZLA (Los Angeles Center) gained 37 positions - the largest increase
  • ZDV (Denver Center) added 36 positions
  • ZAB (Albuquerque Center) went from 200 to 234 (+34)

Winners: Well-Staffed Facilities Now Hiring

Here's the silver lining: facilities that were previously considered "fully staffed" now have openings. If you've had your eye on a desirable facility that was always closed, CRWG may have opened the door.

These facilities were at 80% or higher before CRWG, meaning they were generally not taking transfers. Now they need people.

Transfer opportunities:

  • ZHU (Houston Center) dropped from 90% to 82% - still healthy, but now open
  • L30 (Las Vegas TRACON) went from 82% to 59% - significant opportunity
  • PIT (Pittsburgh Tower) dropped from 97% to 78%

Losers: Already Struggling, Now Critical

These facilities were already understaffed (below 75%) and CRWG made their situation look even worse. Controllers at these locations will likely see continued 6-day weeks and mandatory overtime.

Hardest hit:

  • HPN (Westchester Tower) dropped to just 45% staffed
  • ROC (Rochester Tower) went from 65% to 46%
  • BGR (Bangor Tower) fell from 73% to 52%

Escape Routes: Understaffed Facilities That Got Easier to Leave

Here's something that flew under the radar: some facilities that were already understaffed actually had their targets reduced. This is a potential win for controllers stuck at these locations - the lower target means their facility now looks better on paper, which could make transfers out more viable.

Key takeaways:

  • AVP (Wilkes-Barre Tower) was at just 46% staffed - now shows 50% after a -2 target reduction
  • BOS (Boston Tower) jumped from 68% to 73% with just a -1 change
  • JFK (Kennedy Tower) went from 79% to 82% - now above the critical threshold
  • JAX (Jacksonville Tower) crossed into 80% territory

If you're at one of these facilities and have been waiting for your staffing percentage to improve before putting in for a transfer, CRWG may have just given you that boost.

The Rare Decreases

Interestingly, a few well-staffed facilities actually had their targets reduced. This is unusual and suggests the CRWG determined these facilities were previously over-targeted.

  • ZMP (Minneapolis Center): -8 positions → Now 92% staffed
  • ZTL (Atlanta Center): -6 positions → Now 83% staffed
  • CLT (Charlotte Tower): -4 positions → Now 88% staffed

What This Means For You

If You're Looking to Transfer

The CRWG changes created new opportunities at previously closed facilities. Check the facility pages to see current staffing percentages and identify potential matches for your transfer list.

If You're at a Hard-to-Staff Facility

The honest truth: things may get harder before they get better. The good news is that these numbers are now being reported accurately to Congress, which should drive hiring priorities.

If You're Considering the FAA

The FAA needs 1,500+ new CPCs just to meet CRWG targets. Combined with retirements, the hiring pipeline will remain active for years.

Sources

Data reflects May 2025 vs June 2025 staffing reports. Click any facility link above to see current real-time data.