Decisions, decisions - approach or area control

[Goldfish Jack]

Being a controller down at the bottom of Africa, we are upgrading our ATS system to Eurocat 2000 (from Eurocat 1000) and have now beeen told we have to specialise in either area control or approach.

Having sat down and worked out the pros and cons, the decision is not an easy one!!! Does one become an area controller (and with our traffic flow) have lots of time to sit down and sort the traffic out (we are even getting a sequencing tool to help us here!) or does one work the approach sector and have the adrenalin flowing a lot faster? (At least with area there will be 3 sectors, so boredom should not be a factor and variety should be there)

Having done both for about 20 years, now and with 15 odd years of my (useful) life left, it is not an easy decision. I have had good times on both of them, and would like to try and work both of them for as long as possible.

I was wondering whether there are any controllers who have faced a similar decision and what you did. Any regrets about your decision etc etc.?

I know this sounds like a dear Aunty agony column to the local crisis mag, but any valid ideas would be appreciated. There are several of us in the same boat and we really are not looking forward to having to make the decision.

[Fox3snapshot]

Howdy Goldfish, personally if I was on the spooldown I would be kicking back and enjoying the job....and if Area gives you that opportunity why not run with it. If you are still chasing the challenge and don't have enough grey hair, getting amongst a busy approach cell would keep you entertained.

It surprises me that a "specialization" is being stipulated as part of the process of the new system. At two of my previous units the controllers were rated in both and in one institution you could throw in tower as well! That environment was far more enjoyable and rewarding than plugging into the same sector or area job day after day.......

Every controller has different priorities in their work as you would appreciate so I am sure you will get some ATCO's endorsing Approach and some Area, nobody is wrong and nobody can argue either way as an individuals capabilities and certainly traffic conditions will ultimately decide where people will end up.

:ok:

[126,7]

Consider a couple of things:
You're not getting any younger and you want to work somewhere where you can pull the hand brake anytime you feel the tfc is getting too much for you. I have both ratings too and I tell you I enjoy ACC far more. The problem is that you cant stop the tfc if it is getting too much for you. Also, ACC has more sectors like you say, which offers a bit of a scenery change after every session. And the tfc is hardly ever the same. Slow transits followed by fast jets and crossing tfc and non-rvsm. Allways something new. It gets really exiting when Brussels cocks up the slotting system and we are left working 'till we sweat blood. Fortunately you dont work with Brussels. Maybe Jo-burg is worse??!
In APP the work gets a bit tedious. Once you have figured the system out, it gets boring. You allways give the same headings for downwind, the same speeds and when the tfc picks up you have to give the speed a little earlier and extend the downwind or base headings a little further. The challenge is then to try and work without sending a/c into the hold and not giving anyone an orbit either.
You have the safety net of giving tfc a hold or two when you're working APP, so you should never have too much on your plate. It is nice that you had the oppertunity to work both for so long. Good luck and I hope you will be happy with the decision you make.

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

If the sequencing tool you're referring to is MAESTRO, and considering the amount of weather I've heard you get in Joburg, its not going to help you that much and may actually cause problems.

If you are considering a move nth at some stage to join all the other Yarpies, approach would be better to have cos the guys in the city where you need approach are looked after in every way much better than the guys doing area in another city near by. Thats my opinion anyway.