venividibitchy
New Member
"Well honed system of air traffic control"? If you are talking about the United States, you give me a break.
I've been a controller for 21 years. I've been lurking around these forums for a quite a while (I'm also a pilot and like to read up on the latest aviation talk). I only started posting on this forum recently after seeing just how misled/uninformed some of you applicants are.
I didn't mean to offend you. You may very well be a great controller one day. However, stress is stress. If you are scared to drive (which I'm guessing you are), you will most likely implode having to handle many planes at once! Keep in mind, we controllers basically tell the plane where to go! The pilot just hits a few buttons.
As a side note- have you considered starting at a lower level facility? While I'm not familiar with the Las Vegas area, I would guess McCarran is a level 10 or 11 facility. Unless you have previous experience, that's pretty high for a first tower position.
I have seen far too many trainees cave under pressure and wash out. I just want to warn all aspiring controllers. Best of luck to you.
I didn't claim the system was perfect, or as strong as it should be, but I assume that both you and I have flown safely as of yet due to some sort of proficiency. Now, have you been in a car accident?
Yes, due to many helpful posts on this forum, I'm hoping to start out at VGT (North LV airport), which is a level 7. LAS is just that - my "dream facility", and with all of the military controllers from Nellis, and Indian Springs AFBs, I doubt I'd get in there on my first try, anyhow. I'm not entirely deluded.
It seems more people discourage on these forums than encourage, but of course, they always preface it as a "warning". I don't think I've ever read someone say they love their job as a controller, and though they would not recommend it to everyone, that it was fulfilling. You never hear of the people who succeed and do themselves well -- only those who "wash" and are so overcome with stress that they keel over and perish.
Even military folk, and emergency room physicians don't bitch and whine like controllers. What is it?