I heard that there are no discounts due to conflict of interest.Random question that I've never seen addressed on here--Does anyone know if ATCers receive flight benefits from their airport?
Random question that I've never seen addressed on here--Does anyone know if ATCers receive flight benefits from their airport?
I think you can still go on military flights once or twice a year
Seriously?! I don't understand how flight benefits are a conflict of interest...if we control the planes shouldn't we be able to ride on them too?
I think you can still go on military flights once or twice a year
Air traffic controllers used to fly free before 9/11. They used to be able to fly in the cockpit in the jump seat if it was available. After 9/11 those benefits were taken away and haven't been reinstated as of yet. Bummer
I've always dreamed of riding jump up at FL400 (for those not familiar with the lingo.. that's 40,000 feet).
If you think FL400 would be a blast try FL500, it is extremely creepy and a little scary since it is so quite and the engines don't have much air to grab onto since it is so thin. The view is pretty amazing since you can start to see the curvature of the earth, pretty awsome experience but very dangerous.
This would fall under a Local Incentive Flight or FAM Flight (Familarization). I plan and coordinate all of these flights for my AF Base and I can ensure you there is no automatic benefit like this for FAA employees. There may be a coordinated program inplace between the military base and local FAA organizations though. We have a program in place for local buisness leaders from the area where they get an Incentive Flight once a year on our KC-135s.
I'm 99% sure that if you work military aircraft in you area, you can have your manager coordinate with the base commander or someone in authority to make the decision and allow you a flight. I'm 100% sure this was the case in the past (pre-9/11), but I remember talking to someone at ZBW (where I work) saying that the program was still in place.