NATURE OF THE WORK

The air traffic control system is a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft. Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. Their immediate concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize delays. Some regulate airport traffic through designated airspaces; others regulate airport arrivals and departures.

 

WHAT DO WE DO?

With hundreds of millions of people traveling by plane each day, the sky is nearly as busy as our highways.
But there are no traffic lights and stop signs in the sky. Instead, we rely on air traffic controllers to keep airplane traffic running smoothly and safely. Air traffic controllers direct the flow of aircraft in and out of airports and during flights to prevent accidents and minimize air traffic delays.

They track airplanes as they fly from one destination to another, advise pilots on flight courses, and tell pilots when and where to land. When a pilot faces an emergency, controllers do their best to guide the plane to safety. They also help search for missing or overdue aircraft. To do their job efficiently, controllers must be able to visualize the airport facilities, air space, and the planes in flight and to analyze information quickly and accurately. Most of the decisions of air traffic controllers are split-second ones, affecting the safety of pilots, crews, and passengers. Therefore, air traffic controllers must thrive on stress. They have no margin for error, as even the smallest mistake could lead to a deadly accident. This means that air traffic controllers must be "on" every moment that they work.

Since planes fly at all hours of the night, all days of the year, including overnight and weekends, air traffic controllers must work these shifts, staying 100% alert no matter what time it is. In addition, since September 11, there have been more delays and changes to flights for security reasons, increasing the complexity of the air traffic controller's job. To succeed in this highly competitive and demanding job, air traffic controllers must enjoy a fast-paced environment and constant challenges and pressure.