OK Retired controller,
If you are a retired controller where did you work? did you have the sweeper? Or even Seen an ARTS IIIe radar? Have you worked at a Level 12 TRACON like PCT? Or have you even issued a PDC or heard of ASDE-X?
If you were a so called controller sir, what is a MVA? Is it an operational error to descend an aircraft or climb an aircraft into another's airspace? If so, what is this action called? I bet you don't even know what a TMU is.
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I believe these people are in communication with the Control Center in Herndon, VA.. Fun Stuff!
I wouldn't mind having a job like this! I love Air Traffic Control Though.. Thank you sooo much for posting this video! I taught me a good amount of what they do to send information to us.
John
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Look, were not trying to give Southwest a bad name.. we are merely saying that this is not Air Traffic Control. The public may get the wrong idea and think this is what controllers do. These people are generally NOT called controllers, I do respect what they do. You may (as a company) call this system Air Traffic Control-ATC, but I'm just saying maybe use a better name for the program... these are NOT controllers and I have COMPLETE respect for Southwest! I LUV Y'ALL!!
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Please Don't get me wrong I LUV Southwest with ALL MY HEART! I still want to be a pilot for you... I have COMPLETELY mastered ALL Types of 737's and I have set up aircraft COMPLETELY for Departure (Pre-push) and I have helped Shut down aircraft once parked at the gate.. (zeroed out Transponder, Turned off Anti Collision Lights, Turned Off or recycled IRS' etc... I know what I'm talking about.) Please don't allow my last post to not come on to this blog because you know just as well as I do that my previous post was completely pertinent and needed to be said. I LUV SWA! Tell Gary I said Hi. Also, if you get the chance, tell Colleen and Herb they mean the WORLD to me :))))))
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This is NOT Air Traffic Control. I love Southwest, really I do. But don't misinform the public about facts. Air Traffic Control is what FAA employees are. I.e. Tower, TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control), ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control). I am an intern/Student Air Traffic Controller at IAD (Dulles) FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Tower. I'm not saying SWA is wrong or a bad airline. I am just stating that this video does not show controllers controlling traffic in a safe and expeditious manner. These are what us controllers call "Airline Dispatchers" or "Airline flight moderators". If any people are interested in a FUN FILLED AVIATION career, then ATC (REAL Air Traffic Control) is for you. The people that are great with controlling are VISUAL learners that can take a 2D image and transform it into there minds and make it a 3D image. Yes, the stress level is somewhat high but NOT as high as some other jobs. The FAA will be in a "code red" state starting in September... Before, applicants needed to have a degree in Air Traffic Management at an approved FAA CTI (Collegiate Training Initiative) school. Now, only 18 and out of HS.
The reason why the FAA is in a code red situation right now is because in the 80's the controllers union thought they could get away with going on strike. Since they were a government body, all of the strikers were IMMEDIATELY fired.. you would think that our government would actually HELP the people that keep others in the skies ALIVE, but NO! The FAA went into a familiar code red alert after this and hired controllers LEFT AND RIGHT. Long story short, all of these controllers that were hired in the post 80's firing are being forced to retire starting this year and for the next 6 years to come. Starting in September this year, the FAA will start to hire people for controllers right off the streets! Only qualifications require, the applicant is out of High School and he/she is 18 years of age or older. Once you have been accepted, you will be sent to OKC (FAA Training Headquarters) and will be PAID to live there for 3 to 4 months for training. You are then guaranteed a slot at a facility of your choosing whether you perfer radar or working in a tower. The pay as well is PHENOMENAL. Please look into it for those that are interested. It is a GREAT career and is the MOST important career in the world right now. With out controllers Millions of lives could perish.
Thank you,
Controller @IAD ATCT
Watch Videos on Youtube on "Air Traffic control" and...
Click this link to listen to LIVE feeds of controllers interacting with Pilots and Other Controllers.
http://liveatc.net
If you want to listen for me go to KIAD/IAD Washington Dulles Intl. On
Tuesdays and Thusdays... I will be controlling then and you can see what we do
P.S. Thank you Southwest for the video! Now I know what the Airline Mod's are doing when we need to coordinate with them!
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