Elon Musk called Thursday for retired air traffic controllers to consider returning to work amid staffing shortages — but a federal law means doing so isn't so simple. The big picture: Hiring shortages have long plagued air traffic controllers in already stressful roles overseeing critical airspace,

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the increase to almost $23 an hour is intended to boost recruitment and retention.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the administration would boost pay for trainees and streamline hiring to get more people started in the lengthy training process and into air traffic