I agree with Scooby, most people tend to prefer the discipline they're in. Even those whom I know wanted aerodrome, but now work area.
For me, the pros of working Aerodrome are:
- You get to see what's happening out the window, it seems more immediate and I feel more connected to my job and how it fits into the 'big picture'.
- You can see the weather!
- Although LL is a large unit compared to most airports, it's still small next to the area centres. It's big enough so that, errrr, one can usually avoid people one doesn't get on with, but small enough so that I know everyone's name.
- Lots of jobs and tasks to do...In my time I've been an Instructor, Watch Training Officer, worked in Ops, on the Technical Committee, been a Union rep, worked with recruitment, been abroad for conferences, helped develop equipment and procedures, been an examiner, assessor, verifier and lots of other things.
- I mix with the passengers.....ok, inbound passengers stink to high heaven when they get off a long haul flight, but it still feels pretty good to be walking through the terminal and seeing those who you'll be helping to get to their destinations safely (hopefully) in an hour or so.
Bad points:
- Lifts that get stuck.
- With an airside tower, it can be a bit of a hassle.