Controllers in real life
 

Hi all

I was wondering how air traffic controllers are in real life?

With this I mean, you obviously have the skills, but how does this translates to every day activities?

For example:

Do air traffic controllers have less accidents then other people because of more spatial awareness, continuously monitoring the other traffic etc...

Do you see you do stuff different then others?

We all most certainly have some sort of OCD.

We were discussing this at work the other day as it happens; turns out all of us always have to have the TV volume on an even number or a multiple of 5...sad but true

Haha Juggler, the volume thing is very true! I'll bring this up at my next set of night shifts too and see if we all suffer that OCD, will certainly help recruitment..... :cool:

The volume thing, absolutely true! I don't think we are any more or less safe on the roads than others. We always think we're right and that can lead to problems!!!

OMG! I thought I was alone with the volume thing! I cringe when my wife leaves it on an odd number and have to grab the remote to notch it up one :ok:

Volume ?

Complete nonsense.

They are generally rude on the phone, I watched one pick up a ringing phone and bark "Wait one" and then continued his conversation for the 20 seconds or so until the fact it was his wifes voice he had heard on the phone filtered through, then he knew he was deep in it

In answer to your first question; we are simply divine.

As an answer to the original question, I used to have several hobbies. One of these was target shooting with an air rifle.
The distance over which you shoot is 10 metres and the calibre is .177inch/4.5mm; doesn't sound a lot I know (I've also shot at 600 yards at Bisley but that was with a 7.62mm cal rifle) but you have to take into account you have to shoot from a standing position, you're not allowed to rest any part of your body against anything solid - apart from your feet of course - and the 'bullseye' is 0.5mm in diameter!
I had to give up when I developed high blood pressure; the target never seemed to stay still after that!!
Apart from that I found it very relaxing except when in a competition where you had to shoot a 'full course' which was a gruelling 60 shots in a 3 hour period.

My telly volume only goes up to 10!

http://skreened.com/render-product/v...60h520b3z1.jpg

Think this sums it up

SWMBO is convinced that our 'professional' ability to make snap decisions makes us incapable of doing the same away from work i.e. what colour shall we paint this room, what would you like for dinner?

I go along with the previous post. I once remember going along to a fellow ATCO's wedding and as there was going to be a long delay whilst family photos were taken it was suggested that we should repair to a local hostelry -or somewhere, before the reception. Amongst the 20 or so ATCOs present NOT ONE, including myself came up with a decision as to where. In the end one of the "other halves" decided for us. Always reckoned that enough decisions were made during the working day that as far as home life was concerned, I was decisioned out!!

If you are single, you go out, party lots, feel exhausted.
If you are in a relationship, you go out, eat lots, have many holidays, feel exhausted.
If you have kids, you feel exhausted.
We go to work to have a break.

Brian. My wife feels exactly the same, she is convinced I'm incapable of making a decision outside work (in reality even if I do she doesn't hear and continues to ask the question until it's the decision she wants).
Telling (asking) her to 'standby' infuriates her and my 4 and 2 year old know exactly what 'wilco' means.

Brian/Fabs, do you ever get this one:-
Mrs C: 'Shall I wear the green dress or the red one?'
ME: 'Wear the green one'.
Mrs C: 'What's wrong with the red one then?'
etc etc!

You should have supplemented your answer that green is emotively positive etc…ie. a 'come on' colour…then she wouldn't have questioned your opinion...

Lazy but brilliant. :E

Is that the answer to the OP's question or Talkdownman's?

Both, amazingly. :E