FAA investigates actions of traffic controllers
10-15-2008, 06:10 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 119
Originally Posted by flyandive
Oh, I would have loved to have gotten to train someone like VH. 
Although, I think I would have been too distracted be her... uh, intellect to have done a good job! 
Hope she is doing well, I can never recognize which one is her voice when I fly in there. What about you? Driving your family crazy yet?
Although, I think I would have been too distracted be her... uh, intellect to have done a good job! Hope she is doing well, I can never recognize which one is her voice when I fly in there. What about you? Driving your family crazy yet?I was sitting ready reserve a few weeks ago and me and 2 other guys went to visit the tower. VH wasn't there at the time, but they told me that she checked out on ground. As far as my family is concerned, I've only been on furlough for less than 2 weeks, so I'm still working on it!!! I myself am still trying to decide what to do with the rest of my life, but so far I am really enjoying being actually retired! What about yourself? Any prospects?
10-15-2008, 09:31 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
I fly and was a controller for 29 years. The stresses of operating an aircraft on a daily basis do not compare to working moderate to busy RADAR traffic.
We may as crew members be called upon to act quickly in a bad situation, and there are stresses involved in IFR operations, but I have yet to see the continuous pressure live ATC exposes one to.
We may as crew members be called upon to act quickly in a bad situation, and there are stresses involved in IFR operations, but I have yet to see the continuous pressure live ATC exposes one to.
- but I have to add that I think the daily stress of hanging your butt out there on the line outweighs the ATC pressure. Seems a lot more pilots are in mishaps than ATC controllers. Sort of like my near mid-air in the pattern last week....enough blame to go around for everyone I'm sure but it was only the people's butts in the airplanes who's lives were at stake.USMCFLYR
10-15-2008, 10:12 PM
#13
Che Guevara
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Wow this story is really a black eye if it's taken with full force of the media. Pilots put their faith in ATC. Not all planes have TCAS and radar. Sometimes it's pitch black and you're flying steam gauges and when ATC tells you to climb or turn you climb or turn. We do this because we know we can rely on ATC. What happens when we can't rely on them anymore. Very strict code of confidence here.
I think the guys who pulled this stunt need to made an example of and not a simple firing. Let them keep their jobs but cut their trainer status and make them foot the bill for 6-9 minutes worth of fuel for each jet. Wouldn't be too outrageous but would get the point across and NO ONE would think about doing that again.
I think the guys who pulled this stunt need to made an example of and not a simple firing. Let them keep their jobs but cut their trainer status and make them foot the bill for 6-9 minutes worth of fuel for each jet. Wouldn't be too outrageous but would get the point across and NO ONE would think about doing that again.
10-16-2008, 06:40 PM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 94
To be clear though, “the guys that did this” was Jacksonville ARTCC management directing the controllers to take this action. The controllers didn't agree with it and were basically forced to reroute these A/C. Controllers live in a punitive culture right now.
10-17-2008, 05:05 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 117
Originally Posted by miker1369
To be clear though, “the guys that did this” was Jacksonville ARTCC management directing the controllers to take this action. The controllers didn't agree with it and were basically forced to reroute these A/C. Controllers live in a punitive culture right now.
10-17-2008, 05:24 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: Gave up. Staying retired.
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
I think the daily stress of hanging your butt out there on the line outweighs the ATC pressure. Seems a lot more pilots are in mishaps than ATC controllers.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
Moderate to busy ATCs bodies stay in Fight or Flight mode for hours a day. CAMI studied them. (Us)
Combat and test flying come close, but do not match the duration of exposure to the perceived threat. Their findings, not mine.
The Post Office parking lot, THAT scares the $hit out of me.
10-17-2008, 10:22 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by FORTL
We are safer in our cockpits than at most any other time or place, in any other activity. I don't feel like I'm hanging my butt out anywhere when I'm in the air. Mountainous at night causes me extra thought at times.
Moderate to busy ATCs bodies stay in Fight or Flight mode for hours a day. CAMI studied them. (Us)
Combat and test flying come close, but do not match the duration of exposure to the perceived threat. Their findings, not mine.
The Post Office parking lot, THAT scares the $hit out of me.
Moderate to busy ATCs bodies stay in Fight or Flight mode for hours a day. CAMI studied them. (Us)
Combat and test flying come close, but do not match the duration of exposure to the perceived threat. Their findings, not mine.
The Post Office parking lot, THAT scares the $hit out of me.
If you think that your job (ATC side) is more stressful then we'll just have to respectfully disagree.
In the last two weeks my squadron has had three near-midairs (as defined by the Naval Safety Center), a loss of engine oil resulting in a single engine approach, and today I had a wing unlock caution (remember my wings fold). Probably more but those come to mind while I sit here.
I only know one side of the coin and like I said - I couldn't do your job so I won't be learning that side of the game.
USMCFLYR
10-18-2008, 10:08 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 119
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
I hang my butt out everyday that I go in the air. If we're talking about how many people you might have an effect on then I give you that. If I run into a mountain - I only kill myself (or two at the most if I have a backseat rider). If you run an airplane into a mountain then who knows.
If you think that your job (ATC side) is more stressful then we'll just have to respectfully disagree.
In the last two weeks my squadron has had three near-midairs (as defined by the Naval Safety Center), a loss of engine oil resulting in a single engine approach, and today I had a wing unlock caution (remember my wings fold). Probably more but those come to mind while I sit here.
I only know one side of the coin and like I said - I couldn't do your job so I won't be learning that side of the game.
USMCFLYR
If you think that your job (ATC side) is more stressful then we'll just have to respectfully disagree.
In the last two weeks my squadron has had three near-midairs (as defined by the Naval Safety Center), a loss of engine oil resulting in a single engine approach, and today I had a wing unlock caution (remember my wings fold). Probably more but those come to mind while I sit here.
I only know one side of the coin and like I said - I couldn't do your job so I won't be learning that side of the game.
USMCFLYR
10-18-2008, 10:24 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by Droog
Stress is almost impossible to quantify, because it's such a personal thing. In my experience, the biggest factor is "who do you have to work next to?" In any career, whether it's selling shoes, prostitution, ATC, or airline pilot (I've only done the last 2 by the way), if you enjoy the people you're with and love doing your job, then you'll have less stress. For example, when I worked in ATC, I would have rather worked a busy shift with short-staffing and miserable weather if it was with a good group of people than work an easier shift with a bunch of d!#kheads.
For most of my career I've been surround by some of the finest people around - - so I agree with you on that front too. No matter what I've been doing or where I've been doing it - I've enjoyed the ride. I wonder what is next.USMCFLYR
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
