A Day in the Life of an Air Traffic Controller

The alarm goes blaring at 6 a.m. It was time for me to go to work. So I get ready. Take a shower, get in uniform, and kiss my wife and kids goodbye and a good day. I got in my car and pick up my collogue that was in the FAA Academy with me, Max Smith. Greeted him, said hello to his wife and kids and drove to the AT&T Center Airport in California. It was a huge airport, boarding over 200,000 people day and night. I clocked in my shift time which was 7:45. Got in my work station and got ready to take my first plane on a slow Monday. While doing the usual preflight preparation, which is checking air attitude, incoming flights, etc. Flight 672 is one their way to the runaway. Flight 672, you are clear for land off in 20 seconds. Roger that, control But then in the tip of the corner of my eye, flight 121 was taking without any permission from me or EXE. Who is controlled of Flight 121 direction, please advised? Willis Wayne has control of Flight 121 direction, Nicholas. Said the employee a few stations away from me. Roger. Write him up for unadvised takeoff. Two hours after Wayne incident, our boss updates us with the weather. Everyone was crammed in the tower with the entire controllers employee. Ground, radar, and terminal controllers. Meeting everyone. Said Jean, our boss with a white mug in his left hand. The weather conditions are not looking so bright. Some thunderstorms and rain are coming our way. Be prepared to get ready anything. Some flights are going to be coming in. But for all the other flights are going to be delayed for the time in the rain. An y questions?

Great. More hard work for us to do. It cant get worse. I am already having a headache just by looking at the radar monitor. It is about to make me sick, so much stress. I wonder what Max is doing. Im going to check on him real quick. My 15 minute break has started. So I decided check to on Max and his eyes have not peeled away from the screen, he doesnt realize that our break has started. I tapped his shoulder lightly and ask him if he wanted to get some fresh air. He nodded and we walked outside. The rain was still pouring down. But it should stop in a half hour. The intercom came on and it was Jean saying to get back in our stations. Max blew out a huge sigh and waked up the stairs to our station. I finished my banana muffin and threw away in the trash. I sat down at my station and stared at my radar for any incoming or taking off planes. The first flight in a while was ready to send people to Paris. Flight 901, are you ready for takeoff. I will be ready in 5 minutes. I have to refill with gas tower. Roger that After 20 minutes after the response of Flight 901. I radio them again to check on them. Flight 901, do you read? Yes sir, I read. Sorry about the wait. The gas has been refilled and the plane is ready to take fight, tower. You have clear for takeoff, Flight 901. Have a safe trip sir. The controllers at the bottom are signaling Flight 901 to takeoff. What a beautiful sight to see a plane takeoff in the blue skies. I got back in the tower and ready to clock out and head home. Ben. No flight are taking off or coming in for land. May I head home sir? Ben is the EXE person in the tower. It was around 2 or 3 oclock in the afternoon. Hes a good guy and he give me a nod and lets me head home with Max. Me and Max got back in our

car and drove to get something to eat. After that, we head for Maxs home. And then head back to my house with my family waiting for me with a huge dinner plate at home. I took a shower and head to sleep to start tomorrow over again.