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turbo-1 said:At least there has been some action. Airports with low overnight traffic levels now have to have 2 controllers per shift. They are "small" airports like Reno, Burbank, and others.
jarednjames said:So, as someone who rarely watches the news...
What's this about?
lisab said:There's been a recent flurry of stories about air traffic controllers falling asleep on the job. In some small airports, there's only one person on duty, so I guess it can happen pretty easily.
I figured that the thread would eventually devolve into a serious discussion but, I just couldn't resist starting it off this way. :tongue:jarednjames said:So, as someone who rarely watches the news...
What's this about?
jarednjames said:So, as someone who rarely watches the news...
What's this about?
DaveC426913 said:More to the point:
- in Washington, dead air left two loaded passenger jets dangling in the breeze for about twenty minutes before they landed themselves without Air Traffic Control.
- somewhere else (Kansas?), the tower was off the air for five hours. In this case, the controller had actually laid out blankets and a pillow.
DaveC426913 said:And completely unrelated: did anyone see the video where an A380 behemoth clipped a tiny commuter jet's tail, and spun it around like a top?
http://www.wcti12.com/news/27537148/detail.html
Man, they're lucky they're not dealing with cracked skulls...
The guy with the blankets had even been woken four or five times by people from other floors in the tower. Each time, he promised to stay awake and went right back to sleep.DaveC426913 said:More to the point:
- in Washington, dead air left two loaded passenger jets dangling in the breeze for about twenty minutes before they landed themselves without Air Traffic Control.
- somewhere else (Kansas?), the tower was off the air for five hours. In this case, the controller had actually laid out blankets and a pillow.
I posted it in the https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3243008&postcount=1140" thread that day. I was thinking the other night that they're also lucky that the smaller jet didn't snag somehow and get dragged over by the 380's engines. That probably wouldn't have been a good thing.DaveC426913 said:And completely unrelated: did anyone see the video where an A380 behemoth clipped a tiny commuter jet's tail, and spun it around like a top?
http://www.wcti12.com/news/27537148/detail.html
Man, they're lucky they're not dealing with cracked skulls...
Borg said:... get dragged over by the 380's engines. That probably wouldn't have been a good thing.
Something with a flying taxi?DaveC426913 said:Ever see the Mythbuster's ep where they put stuff in the wake of a 747? Awesome.
BobG said:Air Traffic Controllers working a night shift need naps.
Air traffic controllers need naps on the job, scientists say
It would probably be good to let airline pilots nap during the flight, as well. It's ironic that pilots aren't allowed to touch alcohol before flights, but are allowed to fly so fatigued that their performance level drops to being roughly equivalent to that of a person with a BAC of 0.04 (with 0.08 being legally drunk).
Other countries allow napping by both pilots and air traffic controllers. Germany even provides cots and rest rooms for its controllers (which can't help but bring back memories of an old Candid Camera skit).
DaveC426913 said:No one's arguing that ATCs or pilots don't need naps. But pilots have copilots. Reasonable people are arguing that an ATC should not work a night shift alone.
DaveC426913 said:More to the point:
- in Washington, dead air left two loaded passenger jets dangling in the breeze for about twenty minutes before they landed themselves without Air Traffic Control.
- somewhere else (Kansas?), the tower was off the air for five hours. In this case, the controller had actually laid out blankets and a pillow.
The purpose of this thread is to discuss the role and responsibilities of air traffic controllers in the aviation industry. It is also a platform for sharing information and experiences related to air traffic control.
To become an air traffic controller, one must have a high school diploma or equivalent, pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pre-employment tests, complete an air traffic control training program, and pass the FAA air traffic controller certification exam.
Some of the main challenges faced by air traffic controllers include managing high levels of air traffic, making quick decisions in high-pressure situations, and maintaining constant vigilance for potential safety hazards.
Air traffic controllers use a variety of communication methods to communicate with pilots, including radio frequencies, radar displays, and visual signals. They also use standardized phraseology to ensure clear and efficient communication.
Air traffic controllers play a crucial role in ensuring flight safety by monitoring and controlling the movement of aircraft in their designated airspace. They use advanced technology and their expertise to maintain safe distances between aircraft and provide guidance to pilots in case of emergency situations.