According to Bureau of transportation statistics and other sources like NATCA there are up to 33,000 US domestic flights daily. The United States of America contributes to 35% of the flights in the air everyday.

They are called Air Traffic Controllers.

National Air Traffic Controllers Association - http://www.natca.org/

What is an Air Traffic Controller? - http://www.natca.org/about/whatatc.msp

FAQ's - http://www.natca.net/natca/faq.msp

Well yes, ATCs guide the aircraft, mostly in the air, but also on the ground by commands over the radio or whatever, but I think the original poster meant the guys who physically direct the aircraft with glowing batons etc.

I believe these are officially known as Aircraft Attendants, but informally as Batmen (and Batwomen, I suppose). The name comes from the long-ago time when they would use things like oversize table-tennis bats to convey their instructions.

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