What do Controllers do During Down Time?

Controllers fart a lot and make stupid jokes about it in our downtime. Otherwise I think it's the same as what pilots do at cruise altitude, just sit there in silence or talk about whatever.
 
Hey SteveD (closer of threads)... please realize FAA controllers like to joke around and insult each other a lot, but actually it's just a game and a stress reliever and doesn't mean anything. No need to lock threads here, I think.
 
Hey SteveD (closer of threads)... please realize FAA controllers like to joke around and insult each other a lot, but actually it's just a game and a stress reliever and doesn't mean anything. No need to lock threads here, I think.

So long as its understood by all and kept that way. Cool.

Now when the weapons start coming out, we may need to reevaulate.
 
I went into an un named class C last month and they wanted to play "meow" over the radio. Said i was the first pilot all night that went along with them. :)
 
I went into an un named class C last month and they wanted to play "meow" over the radio. Said i was the first pilot all night that went along with them. :)

We did this one shift at my last assignment. It took till the end of the shift before some A-10 bubbas caught it and played along.
 
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 :)

IFX79! How are you? Actually I will have to say that you (And all of IFTA) and the IASCO guys out of Napa are awesome, you 99% of the time do what we need, and the 1% you don't well, you guys are training also. But if there is anything I can think of, I'll let you know. I will admit that sometime the students are hard to understand, but it is what it is. OH! One thing, when we give you flight following, we are unable to enter your route of flight, we just enter your destination and type aircraft. As you know, AFSS can give you a flight plan. But I don't really mind, it isn't like ground is overly busy, and if I it, I'm not asking if you want flight following anyways.
 
IFX79! How are you? Actually I will have to say that you (And all of IFTA) and the IASCO guys out of Napa are awesome, you 99% of the time do what we need, and the 1% you don't well, you guys are training also. But if there is anything I can think of, I'll let you know. I will admit that sometime the students are hard to understand, but it is what it is. OH! One thing, when we give you flight following, we are unable to enter your route of flight, we just enter your destination and type aircraft. As you know, AFSS can give you a flight plan. But I don't really mind, it isn't like ground is overly busy, and if I it, I'm not asking if you want flight following anyways.

I'll try to pass it along for anybody that is in the VFR phase. BFL class D is sometimes a little more accomodating on the request (I think) because we also have the TRACON downstairs at our facility. I think that's why they will give the whole route when they request flight following. Along the same line, I've notice that our IFR routing comes up with something completely different than what we've filed, usually not a problem but our syllabus is based on completion times and if we get a route that shortens our enroute, we have to fill it in with something like a diversion or multiple approaches. I think if I remember correct a class D clearance delivery/ground control can give the clearance but it takes time to coordinate with center/norcal/socal approach to ammend. Do you recommend we try to change it with you while we are on the ground or do you prefer we get airborne and make the request with the enroute controllers?
 
I'll try to pass it along for anybody that is in the VFR phase. BFL class D is sometimes a little more accomodating on the request (I think) because we also have the TRACON downstairs at our facility. I think that's why they will give the whole route when they request flight following. Along the same line, I've notice that our IFR routing comes up with something completely different than what we've filed, usually not a problem but our syllabus is based on completion times and if we get a route that shortens our enroute, we have to fill it in with something like a diversion or multiple approaches. I think if I remember correct a class D clearance delivery/ground control can give the clearance but it takes time to coordinate with center/norcal/socal approach to ammend. Do you recommend we try to change it with you while we are on the ground or do you prefer we get airborne and make the request with the enroute controllers?

I can only speak for Stockton, but a lot of the time we get PDR's printed out on the strip, which is the Route that Oakland Center wants you to fly, and that is what we have to give you. As far as getting what you filed on the ground, you can ask, depending on who is working and work load we might be able to work something out for you.
 
We sit in the corner facing the corner perfectly still until requested back to work.

That our stretch out watching football in the TV room
 
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