What do air traffic controllers actually DO all day?
Last week I was flying into a Northern California airfield and overheard two air traffic controllers forcefully debating which was better, the Hot Pocket or the Pizza Pocket. They seemed really surprised when I keyed the microphone and asked for landing instructions.
Aside from sitting in the tower reading People magazine, playing Nerf basketball, drinking watered-down vending machine coffee, and eating an assortment of unhealthy crap, what do you actually do?
God Bless you-
Captain Art Griego
2009-03-09T14:35:46Z
The Notle: We've been over this before: my air incidents weren't technically "crashes" as no one was actually critically injured. And that baggage handler at DCA wasn't really injured that badly, the wheel barely ran over his leg. He was just after money in a big lawsuit.
2009-03-09T14:38:16Z
Keagkid1: Gee, I don't know... Maybe test equipment, check runway conditions, check air temperature and wind speeds, assess incoming and outgoing traffic, etc.
2009-03-10T10:30:21Z
Schmekel: No. These are the same people who don't have a relationship with GOD. This should tell you something.
Anonymous2009-03-09T16:42:22Z
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LOL, how long have you been flying, Art? I think you said it was a long time, right? Well, hope they are doing their job and keeping you safe. Ever had any highjackers on the plane? That would be the scariest day ever.
An Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) is located at every airport with regularly scheduled flights and handles all landing, takeoff, and ground traffic. The Clearance Delivery, Ground Control, and Local Control controllers in the Control Tower direct and monitor all aircraft taxi, takeoff, and landing at the airport. A Clearance Delivery controller checks the flight plan and gives clearance to a pilot for flight plan information. Ground Controllers instruct all aircraft movement on the ground at the particular airport (push back from gate and taxi to and from runways). Local Controllers issue takeoff and landing clearances on the particular airport's runways to departing and arriving aircraft. After takeoff clearance is given, the Local Controller instructs the pilot to change frequencies and contact the Departure Controller in the TRACON facility. Likewise, after landing clearance is given, the Local Controller instructs the pilot as to initial taxi instructions and instructs the pilot to change frequencies and contact Ground Control.
I'm sure flying into a small northern California airport is relatively straightforward for both pilot and air traffic controller. But contrast that with what goes on 24 hours a day 365 days a year at one of the busier airports, such as Atlanta (currently the world's busiest airport) with multiple runways handling simultaneous takeoffs and landings one after the other all day every day. I'm sure the ATCs there are quite busy.
Other air traffic facilities in addition to airport control towers where air traffic controllers work include: terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities; air route traffic control centers; flight service stations; and the air traffic control system command center.
Air Traffic Controller Career Description The most important function of air traffic controllers is to ensure the safe flow of air traffic and to minimise delays.
What am I going to do in this occupation? Air traffic controllers are responsible for the prevention of collisions between aircraft. They must maintain an orderly flow of air traffic and provide useful information and instructions needed for the safe execution of aircraft in-flight. In cases of emergency they must notify the relevant search and rescue organizations.
Air traffic controllers work in well-equipped control centres with the most modern electronic equipment and navigational instruments at their disposal.
Air traffic control is a 24-hour service and air traffic controllers are therefore required to work shifts.
Requirements What kind of personality do I need? Air traffic controllers must be sincerely interested in aviation and they must indicate a willingness to accept responsibility. They must be able to achieve a professional attitude in their career. Air traffic controllers must have good memory, hearing and eyesight. They must behave calmly and rationally when under pressure and they must be able to remain alert for long periods of time.
Hey Cap! Is it true that you are actually one of The Nolte's more vivid hallucinations? I read that somewhere else. You are really a trip, Art! Keep up the good work!