View Full Version : Boredom? and owning your own ship!
Two completely unrelated questions regarding ATC as a career::
1.Can anyone shed (garden) any light on the 'boredom factor' of the job? Obviously every job has it's routine and boring aspects. But is ATC generally an exciting career? or one that has a reputation for being boring?
2. How many guys in the business own their own aircraft? It is one of my life ambitions, and was just wondering if it something that is commonplace in the world of ATC.
Many thanks,
Brali
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
4th Dec 2006, 07:34
Boredom? Are you kidding? Obviously if you have little real interest in the job and get posted to somewhere incredibly quiet you could find it boring. Personally, I never knew a nanosecond of boredom in all the years I did the job.
If you get posted somewhere busy then believe me you won't understand what "boredom" means!
Over to all the ATCO/Aircraft owners....
throw a dyce
4th Dec 2006, 07:54
Only knew one Atco who owned an aircraft.Plenty have had a share in syndicates,and a few have done gliding.A share is far easier on the wallet.
I have only ever been bored when not busy; a night duty at a quiet tower somewhere is a good example. That could always be offset by the other times! Yes, it could get a bit routine even when busy, but complexity could (and often does) leap out at you at any time.
surf bum
4th Dec 2006, 09:53
Boredom-waiting for the last mail SHed to grind its weary way home at 3am.
Boredom-a rainy day with stong winds waiting for something to happen. Followed immediately with a light aircraft scud running in the tree tops trying to get in "VFR"?? and 4 scheduled services arriving at the same time, one missing the turn off and having to be back tracked against the flow! Just another day in thre office. Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Own a plane in a syndicate. Could just about afford to buy my own but no way could I afford to run it. Operating costs are so high that a group seems the only way to go.
Surfs up, see you later!!
topdrop
4th Dec 2006, 09:58
I've normally found it as:
Moments of sheer boredom, followed by hours of stark terror :zzz: :eek::eek::eek::eek:
low n' slow
4th Dec 2006, 10:10
From the other side, I have heard ATCO's that have most definately been bored or perhaps just lazy... a simple "cleared for take off" got me puzzled once. No callsign, no wind info and no runway specified :} There are 6 runways to choose from and the wind was pretty much crosswind 10 knots and a rather poor visibility. In that case I would have liked AT least the controller to specify from WHICH runway I was cleared just as a final check.
/LnS
chevvron
4th Dec 2006, 14:39
I know of several ATCOs who own their own aircraft, ranging from Cubs and Porterfields to a TB10. The guy with the TB10 used to allow other ATCOs to fly it (years ago now).
I personally have a share in a syndicate.
Low n' slow; we had a TV programme shown in England a few years back showing operations at KJFK, KLGA and KEWR. In spite of multiple runways at EWR there was no runway specified for departures and no wind given; after departure the pilot was instructed 'contact newark departures' and no frequency given!
That's all good to hear :)
I think I phrased my 'owning' question incorrectly. I meant do many ATC's own/have shares? I was just wondering if a career in ATC, and having some kind of ownership in an aircraft go hand in hand?
Brali
NudgingSteel
4th Dec 2006, 19:39
I don't know that many ATCOs with a/c or shares in them (actually I don't know any!). Most ATCOs do have at least some interest in aviation and all have done some flying training, lots have PPLs (often lapsed though). Now you've asked, I don't know why there aren't more owners in the job! (especially as it's well paid and there's plenty of time off....).
Regarding the boredom thing: very rarely. Things can go wrong so, so fast from a dead frequency and empty radar screen, to a panicked "mayday mayday mayday". In the middle of the night there might be a sudden notification of a diversion inbound for any reason. Even small stuff like an aircraft taxying the wrong way means you've got to be watching pretty closely, so the time soon passes. Dull and routine is something we can only dream of achieving!
boring at work! It might be quiet at certain times, but itīs never boring. I had two emergencies at the same time 0330 A.M. a couple of years ago....you better be vigilant at all times!!!
I own a Christen Eagle together with four friends, all of them professional pilots. I do have a couple of colleagues who own their own aircraft or are member of a syndicate, but itīs not too many. The jobīs great to do some flying...the Eagle during the turn in the mornings or evenings, gliding during the OFF-days. Not to forget all those holidays... :)
Lifeīs good!