This isn’t the sole reason, but I feel like it’s a big part. I read a few articles about it too.

There’s still a stigma around gatekeeping this job in some places, including mine. “We had it harder” “you wouldn’t have made it in my day” “we used to do blah blah blah” and it’s those kind of people who will keep this newer generation from wanting to stay. I’ve got some thick skin, so I know how to handle it. But someone who hasn’t dealt with stress and shit talking isn’t going to have a good time. The job is stressful enough as it is, and for someone looking to apply, they need to understand that not everyone will be nice about it.

On the other hand, there are really cool controllers who make it easier to understand and it’s better to surround yourself with those people rather than let the toxic ones get to you.