"FAA imposes 'no nap' policy for air controllers. National directive comes after crash in Ky. killed 49 out of 50 on board."

"During some late-night shifts, they say, a controller could go two to three hours without needing to watch a single plane. They are allowed to go to a break room, known as a "ready room," during this time to rest up for the intensive work.

"Some would read books or watch TV while others would sleep, union officials say. Each controller wears a pager so they can be contacted immediately if they are needed.

"It just seems ambiguous and punitive," said Dave O'Malley, union representative for a control center in Indianapolis that handles some flight traffic into airports in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia. "The work itself requires you to rest and recoup between the sessions."

Seems foolish to overwork 'em, not have enough of 'em, and then deprive them of sleep on their own and down time.

Also seems like a typical conservative answer to a problem. Get a bigger whip.

Arf