There's nothing "pompous" or "nonsense" about it. It was the official grade in the UK Government ATC organisation for many, many years and I was proud to be called an Air Traffic Control Officer. In earlier times I was also a Clerical Officer, which is about as low as one can get. The "officer" doesn't refer to a commissioned rank; it was applied to many grades - Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Signals Officer, etc.
I note that 2Sheds profile says: Occupation: ATCO
Last edited by HEATHROW DIRECTOR; 29th Aug 2010 at 19:06.