The job of an Air Traffic Controller

[Garp]

Got this via e-mail. I received some flak for it on another board, let's see what the reactions are here.

[1990C4S]

I had a job I didn't like once. I quit and did something else.

[romad]

Sec. 91.3

Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.

(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.

[Embraer]

100% spot on. unless somebody does it, they won't understand. i go to work at 3 this afternoon. i'll have several rushes tonight, the biggest will probably be between 8-9pm. i'll work hundreds of planes in my shift...thousands of lives. i don't work in a tower. those have it lucky, they can look at airplanes. coming from the pilot side, this job is a complete eye opener.

despite the ignorance in the media lately, late night tv shows, etc....i've never met a more dedicated, perfectionist group of people. 99.999% of controllers are the real deal.

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by romad

Sec. 91.3

Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.

(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.

and you should also know that controllers can declare an emergency on a pilots behalf. and when that paragraph mentions "Administrator." ...do you think it's talking about Randy Babbitt? ...controllers are delegated the responsibility of acting as Administrator.

[mikester]

They should let you guys have nap breaks...

[red-beard]

naps are good

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I had a job I didn't like once. I quit and did something else.

A few times here....

[ted]

fwiw Senior controllers at busy facilities can make 150k a year and retire at 85k a year.
They must retire at age 56 and can retire at any age with 25 years controlling or 20 years controlling at 50 or older.
Not easy to leave that job and match salary and Federal retirement benefits in the private sector.
About halfway through my career they tripled our pay.
I was able to retire at 50 and I don't miss the job.
Good pay for minimum education....

[techweenie]

The stress level sounds similar to that of a street cop, but without the constant threat of direct bodily harm.

I have a lot of respect for people who can retain their equilibrium working in a high stress environment. For those not emotionally suited to it, there are going to be a lot of closet spouse-beaters and substance abusers.

[wdfifteen]

I've got nothing against controllers per se, But no one would be talking about them if several of them hadn't been caught sleeping on the job. How can you handle all that stress and responsibility while you're sound asleep?
I don't care if you're a janitor, if I'm paying you and you're sleeping on the job you are fired.

[ted]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't care if you're a janitor, if I'm paying you and you're sleeping on the job you are fired.

A huge ATC turnover has been happening for the last 3 or 4 years.
All the controllers that hired in after the 1981 Patco strike have reached retirement age.
Like before the replacements are young and imho were seeing the flushing of some of the new young ones that can't make the grade.

When I was in my last years as an ATC I was planning on being surrounded by experienced controllers that could watch my back.
Instead I was surrounded by many new hires, first time controllers with no experience that we had to train during moderate traffic to provide them a meaningful challenge.

I use to tell my friends not to fly on weekends because that was the days off of the senior controllers.

[flatbutt]

I can't comment on what it's like to be an ATC but such self serving documents can be found for most any job.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I can't comment on what it's like to be an ATC but such self serving documents can be found for most any job.

Yep, I was thinking that that piece could have easily been written by one of my overly self-important co-workers (I'm a police/fire dispatcher).

The douchebaggery of that type runs rampant in the profession.

[ZOA NOM]

A few bad apples have tarnished an otherwise solid reputation, IMO. I work with the best controllers in the world, covering more airspace than any other facility in the world. There are precious few who can handle the environment.

My question when asked about the pay is "how much would you pay the person on the other end of the radio if you were in distress"? We in ATC aren't paid to make widgets, we are paid to separate airplanes and to ensure the safe, efficient flow of traffic.

[ted]

"Mooney spike", when the pilot closes the door to his Mooney airplane a spike is said to go through his head.
For example, Caution full blown female PMS controller!

part 1
YouTube - if air traffic controllers could speak their mind

part 2
YouTube - if air traffic controllers could speak their mind 2

[slodave]

"Pilots don't understand us or even listen sometimes..."

Landing on 34R at VNY Monday. Female ATC voice that was not familiar to me. We need to cross 34L to get to the Aero Club. As soon as we are on the ground, she says "cross 34L at foxtrot without delay..." In the background we here a senior male controller shouting " No, No, No!". Then she comes back and tells us to hold short. We already were. Turns out she was a trainee and was going to have us cross 34L as a plane was landing. We do listen.

[Gogar]

Wow, I bet Debbie Cunningham is one angry, lonely beyotch. Maybe she was tired of hearing 'how hard it is' from all those stay-at-home moms or something. Or maybe some female pilot snubbed her in the employee lounge, I don't know.

[Jeff Alton]

Interesting read that Debbie posted....

Here are some thoughts I have after doing the job in a busy Terminal Control Unit for the last 19 years (CYVR)..... (yes, I have a day job )

I actually really like my job. Here in Canada, the pay is good and the pension is good. Unlike Mike (Ted), I won't be retiring at 50, but at 58 I will leave with a full 70% pension. It has its moments like every job does. I get a kick when people I have just met learn that I am an ATC. They all tell me how stressful it is, yet they do not do the job. Every job has its stressful moments. I don’t care if you dig ditches or do brain surgery, every job can be stressful. I enjoy the rare chance to also hold a position which exposes me directly to customers (airlines) and to the nuances of airspace design, procedure development and operation manual writing. I am what is called a Unit Procedures Specialist, so I am lucky enough to hold an office job and still control airplanes (50/50). The downside to this position I hold is that I am also one of very few controllers who can take work home. Sure, we can relive moments from work at home or at the bar. But you can’t control aircraft from you house. The one thing that really opened my eyes when I got my part time “desk job” was that as an ATC the work does not pile up. If you take a break, someone else does the work. Enjoy a few days off or some holiday, someone else does the work. Aircraft don’t go into you inbox or wait for you to return to duty, someone else serves them. With the part time desk job I have no one else does the work, I do it when I can. Not a complaint at all, just trying to point out that most jobs in the world don’t get done by someone else when you are not there, but in ATC that is the case. Delta, United, AirCanada etc, don’t fly around waiting for me to return from my dinner break, they get service from whoever gave me a break.

The job does come with an immense consequence of error. But, you can let that stress you as you see fit. If you are comfortable with your own skill set you can learn ways to deal with stress. Stay fit and rested, the job will not have an impact. Yes, we are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. I have had two Christmas days off in 19 years. I have a family. Shift work has its pros and cons. We aren't the only shifworkers in the world.

Over the years I have worked with a very large number of Air Traffic Controllers, I have been lucky enough to travel for business and meet many brothers in the FAA and around the world. Now, some may be stressed, and some may be calm, some may love their job and some may claim to hate it. That said, I am yet to meet one who is not trying to do a good job....

Page two of the letter posted is exactly correct, and I have been there. A lot of what is written is very true. But, you can choose what you do for a living. If any job is that bad, look for a new one.

In my opinion (FWIW) a good ATC candidate is someone who can make a decision. Then continue to make better decisions right away. The aircraft are always moving, so if you look at a radar screen or out the window in a tower, the "picture" continually tells you if you are making the correct ones. The secret is to assess the feedback provided instantly and continue to update the "plan" with better decision making.

Embraer (mike?). Are you recent to the ATC field? Your comments are very similar to those that I work with that used to be professional pilots.

After all that, I always tell anyone interested that if you have to work for a living (which I do) I consider myself lucky to have this job. If I didn't need the money, I would leave, but as far as work goes, you can do a lot worse.


on a side note..... ever watch the movie "Pushing Tin"? Not the best movie out there ever (cough cough) but when it was released I remember seeing about 35-40 controllers in the theatre on openning night. The only thing that stuck with me was that we could put a name to every single character in that movie......

[Embraer]

yep...im a fresh developmental at ZLA. went from part 91 corporate/121 to ATC....best choice i ever made.