What do Controllers do During Down Time?

clayfenderstrat

clayfenderstrat

Well-Known Member
Just a quick question to those controllers who lurk here. What do you do with your downtime while you are in the tower? Where I am at, there are long period where there isn't any traffic. What do you guys do when there aren't any planes in the airspace?
 
For a week, the same dude on Chicago Center (late at night) was watching movies. I thought it so funny the first night, that the second night I checked in and asked "what's the movie tonight?".

I think he was watching a Mel Brooks movie, IIRC.

-mini
 
My FO and I played "guess the Led Zeplin song" with a Memphis Center controller late (actually early) one night.
 
I do sudoku, sometimes we debate random things. But yeah it depends on who else is in the town cab. I have spent hours scanning the runways because the supe and or ATM was in the cab.
 
Hey Sunburn. We stopped in there there Friday for a quick bounce and go on our way to Monterrey. I think we were "IFTA 79." Thanks for all your help out there and I wanted to say you guys are very professional and helpful. If there is anything we can do to make your lives easier with our approaches or VFR traffic that come through there, don't hesitate to recommend (short of chosing another destination :)
 
dasleben said:
So you're the guy always spinning us around. :D
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No that makes me miserable, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I hate it when they do that. If they just make a hole, shove you in it than they don't have to deal with it anymore and it is all cake from there, and that is when we're east. When we're west it is just plain dumb to keep spinning you guys, as you only lose 1 mile net on the parallels. Besides I know I can make your life miserable by waiting 5 more miles before giving direct LNS:pirate:
 
In all seriousness there is two kinds of downtime. On the floor and on break. On break pretty much anything, TV, internet, books etc. On the floor electronic devices are prohibited(but not entirely absent). When there are others present it is generally just BSing all around. As controllers you have to be pretty thick skinned because often this ends up being a good-natured bully-fest on someone over something stupid. (ie: Last week it was my black socks with jeans). When you are on a mid you try and find anything to keep your mind occupied, books, drawing, some people do homework for college classes they are taking.
 
One tower controller was always watching Sanford and Son when we checked in. If we were on time, you could hear the theme music, "Bah bah wa da, bah bah wa da da da da..."
 
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