Just an idea - probably a crap one, but please be gentle with me

[Shiny side down]

It's a nice enough idea, but even I can't drink that much tea! A whole shift?

Only kidding.
It is, or should be, the aviation equivalent of required reading. And repeated at intervals, as part of a process of continual improvement.

I pestered a former colleague and visited west Drayton a couple of times. All the sectors north to south and the busy bit where they make all the 75s follow the leader to Heathrow.
Bournemouth tower, and dungeon below.
Prestwick/Shanwick.

It's fascinating (I often question my sanity in going flight deck, rather than ATC.). Too old now.
IQ in my boots wouldn't help. On the upside, I could double for shrek.


I'm surprised that there is so little interest in both groups getting a more up close look at each others world.

[055166k]

95.8.....great read....respect!! I'm a failure too. Nobody seems to understand that I joined this outfit to control aeroplanes, I don't want to do anything else. That labels me as a non-achiever. Never mind, I'll cheer you up a bit. One of our controllers applied for an office job and got it...well done. Moved out of our little Ops room to a desk round the corner in the same building and picked up a £25k pay rise. Of course it is a severe penalty to lose the flexibility of doing shifts and the compensation is a paltry non-op pay supplement which is actually more than the shift pay in some cases. One of my buddies retires after over 40 years operational [non-desk] service.......we're not holding our breath for any recognition......on the evidence of many past similar cases you just hand in your pass and locker key and walk away!!!!
[some of this may be exaggerated for effect....I only want to cheer you up]
Rgds

[ILS 119.5]

I believe Entry Point North (the Scandinavian ATC training school) are running courses for pilots introducing them to ATC. Couldn't really see NATS doing that though.

[63000 Triple Zilch]

One of my buddies retires after over 40 years operational [non-desk] service.......we're not holding our breath for any recognition......on the evidence of many past similar cases you just hand in your pass and locker key and walk away!!!!


Not forgetting of course to put your car park pass in the box at the gate on your way out!!

[ZOOKER]

After 30 years with a hat on, my last 'conversation' with 'management', on my very last day, was effectively a b*llocking, from a fairly junior, (but career-minded), ATCO 1, about my lack of commitment.

The chairman of my selection-board was also an ATCO 1, and a DFC and Bar. He flew over Germany, in the dark, with a a Lancaster strapped to his backside.
You respect gentlemen like that.

[Rossoneri]

As a fellow ATCO 2, I think it's a great idea, and far more beneficial than any classroom-based activities we're prescribed for 'career development'. If pilots that regularly flew through our sectors could see it from our viewpoint, they'd understand why things happened the way they do much better. In the same way if I sat in a cockpit, I'd get a better idea of their moans and groans. Why not do it every other or every 3 years?

[bekolblockage]

from a fairly junior, (but career-minded), ATCO 1

A more senior colleague, who I had a lot of respect for as a hands-on controller, used to to describe this sort as "dangerously ambitious".
You can spot them a mile off.

[161R]

And most of those were/are "dangerously incompetent" as ATCO's.

[5milesbaby]

I couldn't tell you when I last saw a pilot in AC, definitely well over a year anyway.

Have had 3 sit in with me within the last month, mainly from Monarch. Sadly they only stayed for an hour each (not their choice but they were getting to play with our simulator instead).

[Uplinker]

I'm in.

I fly across the London TMA on a regular basis for a well known scheduled carrier. I would very much like to see operations from your side of the RT.

Send me a PM and we'll set something up. It will be in the new year now, as I have no suitable roster gaps this side of Xmas.


U

[blind pew]

Ex hamster - always respected you guys and once a year would blag my way into the twr at LHR...
Got my command in SR which included a good briefing and visit to twr in zrh.
Last visit was to my home town of Sarfend - Eddie has done a fine job there - donated a couple of copies of my book...but didn't get offered a cuppa?

[Sir George Cayley]

95.800 your idea is doomed to failure. Why? Because it shows a dangerous tendency towards common sense.

Something that has been assiduously beaten out of 21st C life at every level

Now here's a really whacky idea. A week at the Belgrano

Clear left call point 7.

SGC