there's not enough bench strength. they don't have the reserves to fully staff the towers. what we're seeing is the normal symptoms of somebody under enormous stress. somebody happens to be the entire air traffic control system. >> let me turn to mary. it's not as though there's not just a bench that's lacking. we're putting only eight guys in the field when you're supposed to have nine in a baseball metaphor, it's baseball season. you were the i.g. for the system. are things getting worse right now based on everything you've seen and heard? >> yes, for a variety of reason, not least of which is this problem has been brewing for a very long time and the faa has not taken strong action where there are problems. the sleeping controllers, that was around when i was inspector general in the '90s. we addressed those issues. the faa didn't react. it took the secretary of transportation and some serious incidents including with the first lady's plane to really get action. it shouldn't have come to this. it's been a long time coming to this. >> i just got to raise this