NATCA Going Down in Flames

"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...

On what, swift modernization, or the increased cost of the future of
ATC?


Both.

I'm not sniping at you, Brian, but your post gives me a junp-off point
for a rant:

Hey, its usenet, feel free :-)

Speaking as someone who was required to wear a jacket and tie from the
thrid grade through gradschool (well, except for 2 years in
highschool), I have to say I found it refreshing when the boomers
right behind me trashed a tradition that was clearly designed to
perpetuate stereotypes of "professionals" and "tradesmen."

I've been in both types of dress code jobs. Wearing a suit and tie as
a consultant when part of my job required going behind dusty computers
and ruining the tie for that day. I've also worked from home, where
sometimes I'd still be in my bathrobe at the end of the day.

I found that I didn't work as effectively in the bathrobe. I may be
more comfortable, but not necessarily towards my work.

If controllers worked in a windowsless room all by themselves I think
it would matter less to me. But they don't. They work in a facility
with other controllers. Right next to them. Peer professionals. By
dressing to a minimum standard they are showing that they are
professional. One of the reasons the military wears uniforms is to
instill that sense of unity and esprit de corps. There is no esprit de
corps with flip flops... well there was that summer as a lifeguard but
that was the uniform... and I digress.

So while dockers and a collared shirt may not be as regimented as a
uniform its still better in my opinion than a cavalier, anything goes
attitude.

As an aside, it may have been in the same article, but I read recently
that the other rule the FAA put in place that has the union up in arms
is "no naps" while on breaks... Oh, and they have to stay at the
facility.....

Demonstrating precisely how "professional" they consider their workers
to be.

Or demonstrating how professional the workers actually are BEING, in
that they were taking naps in the facility at a time they could be
called to duty at any moment. If they were too tired to stay awake,
they should have called in sick.

Maybe making them dress up a bit will stop the "we're just lounging
around" attitude. I know its easier to take naps in my shorts and flip
flops than it would be in a suit and tie.

Jose wrote:
As the consumer, I'd like to be able to assume that the person on the
other end of the radio presents themselves professionally.

Why? The only thing they have to present is on the radio. It makes as
much sense as requring an auto mechanic to have a "dulcent telephone voice".

Not sure what you mean by dulcent. I do require my auto mechanics to
have a "decent" telephone voice though, since thats the primary
mechanism with which I communicate with them.

I would argue that more professional dress inspires more professional
behavior. As an example, I'd point to the NYC "graffitti" cleanup
under Guiliani, and the corresponding crime rate drops. Cleaning up
the environment promotes a more professional working environment.

As an aside, it may have been in the same article, but I read recently
that the other rule the FAA put in place that has the union up in arms
is "no naps" while on breaks... Oh, and they have to stay at the
facility.....

This improves safety how? Oh yeah, what I said up top.

Um. by not having controllers sleeping? If they want to sleep they
should go home. Its more conducive to sleep anyway.

Turn it around, how does it impact safety by not letting them take naps?

I found that I didn't work as effectively in the bathrobe. I may be
more comfortable, but not necessarily towards my work.

Was it because of the bathrobe, or because of the close proximity of the
refrigerator, TV, internet, and three kids?

One of the reasons the military wears uniforms is to
instill that sense of unity and esprit de corps. There is no esprit de
corps with flip flops.

What kind of espirit de corps would improve ATC?

Or demonstrating how professional the workers actually are BEING, in
that they were taking naps in the facility at a time they could be
called to duty at any moment.

Airplane pilots take naps on duty too. They are fresher when called to
duty.

Jose
--
There are more ways to skin a cat than there are cats.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

I would argue that more professional dress inspires more professional
behavior. As an example, I'd point to the NYC "graffitti" cleanup
under Guiliani, and the corresponding crime rate drops.

I think this is oranges and grapefruit, and an example of selective
data. Guiliani did many other things at the same time, and it may well
be that it was those other things that reduced crime. What crime in ATC
are you aiming to reduce?

Turn it around, how does it impact safety by not letting them take naps?

Studies have shown that napping improves performance after the nap. (In
some political jobs, it arguably improves performance during the nap.
It is my understanding that air traffic control is a stressful job,
and that's one of the reasons scope time is limited. Anything that
would improve alertness while at the scope would be good. Naps do that
with no down side.

Jose
--
There are more ways to skin a cat than there are cats.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:
Was it because of the bathrobe, or because of the close proximity of the
refrigerator, TV, internet, and three kids?

I've been doing the telecommuting thing since around '95 so I've got a
lot of experience with it. Getting dressed in the morning (just like I
would with any commute) improves my performance during the day. I get
more things done. With or without the fridge, Tv, internet, and 1
kid.

I don't turn on the TV when working form home. I have the internet,
but then I have the internet at an office to. Same with the fridge.
As to the kid.. thats why I have a dedicated room in my house that is
my office. She's not allowed in when I'm working. Just like if I was
at the office she wouldn't get past the badge readers or the guards.

What kind of espirit de corps would improve ATC?

Any kind. Workers who feel part of the same team should work better
than workers who don't. I would maintain that everybody operating to a
minimum standard would enhance that team. A person who cares about
their appearance will help with that sense of team.

Are you saying that ATC as an organization has no room for any
improvement?

Airplane pilots take naps on duty too. They are fresher when called to
duty.

But if the airline said they shouldn't as part of their operating
procedures you would agree that that would be ok right? Or do you
think the pilots should be able to set their own operating procedures
for their particular flight? To hell what their employers decide?

The FAA sets the standards in my opinion. And I don't think anything
outlined so far is excessive.

Jose wrote:
I think this is oranges and grapefruit, and an example of selective
data. Guiliani did many other things at the same time, and it may well
be that it was those other things that reduced crime. What crime in ATC
are you aiming to reduce?

Ok an example that was probably too far afield. Are you suggesting
that the beautifcation projects had no impact for the better on the
city?

Studies have shown that napping improves performance after the nap. (In
some political jobs, it arguably improves performance during the nap.
It is my understanding that air traffic control is a stressful job,
and that's one of the reasons scope time is limited. Anything that
would improve alertness while at the scope would be good. Naps do that
with no down side.

What sort of nap? Length of nap? Location of nap? How much napping
per time on shift? Whas the study specific to the ATC function?
Please provide the data. If its true that napping will help our
controllers, then the FAA should enforce naps during break times.
Provide cots and blankies and teddy bears.

Studies have shown that napping improves performance after the nap.

In the article that I read, the FAA said that the napping had a
detrimental affect on performance. It meant the controllers were
groggy when returning to the scope.

So maybe the FAA has their own study.

"bdl" wrote in message
oups.com...

Um. by not having controllers sleeping? If they want to sleep they
should go home. Its more conducive to sleep anyway.

Turn it around, how does it impact safety by not letting them take naps?


Letting them nap while on break makes it less likely they'll be drowsy while
on position. Is being drowsy while on position more safe or less safe?

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:02:30 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote in
:


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
.. .

On what, swift modernization, or the increased cost of the future of
ATC?


Both.


Well, I believe Boeing and LocMart have already developed (and
deployed) modern ATC systems (probably superior to the existing FAA
stuff), so modernization could be much more rapid than if the FAA
developed and implemented something similar.

You may be correct about the ultimate cost, but initially the
contractor would have to propose something reasonably priced to win
the bidding competition.