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DE727UPS · August 1st, 2006, 00:57

Well. I was a strip ripper. I ripped strips.

Back in those days, we had an FDEP machine (flight data and entry processer) that printed out flight data strips. It was way old school outdated, even in the mid-80's. This thing was from the 60's, I swear. Anyhow, the flight data strips came out of it. I ripped them off. Then, I'd highlight the SID routing so the departure controller could see it easier and I'd drop them off at the proper controllers position.

I also did the arrival ATIS. I talked into this phone thingy that was a recorder. I'd listen to the recording and then send it out. I had to cut a new ATIS anytime new weather came out. I was once told to cut a new ATIS and fib a bit on the winds. Seems like the pilots were complaining about landing with more than a 10 knot tailwind. I had no idea. So I made a new ATIS with 9 knots of tailwind instead of 11.

I also did clearance delivery for TOA, HHR, and SMO. If a pilot called one of those towers for their IFR clearance, the tower guy would call me and I'd read the clearance to them, then give the departure strip to the proper radar guy.

When the weather was good, it was a cake easy job. I actually got board. Sometimes, the controllers would cover my position and I'd go to the burrito place in El Segundo for takeouts.

I remember when first got trained, how hard I thought the job was and how low I felt. Nearly walked away from it cause of the stress. Later, when I learned the ropes, I almost wished for hard IFR for the challenge.

Most of the controllers told me to get back into flying rather than stick with an ATC career. They were right. Leaving the FAA was the best decision I ever made. Not to imply that ATC is a bad job, it would be my second choice, but getting out when I did and sticking with flying until things turned around for me personally put me in the position I'm in now. Nuff said...

I'll never forget my time at LAX TRACON. It was in this old hangar that was torn down when they put in the 105 freeway. It was just west of the the old, old, first terminal building at LAX. Guess they can't tear that down for it's historical value. Anyhow, I think back on how cool it was to be in a dark room full of radar screens and the controllers doing their thing, sometimes shouting stressful instructions to their cohorts across the room. It was very exciting at times. Mindlessly boring at times. Really, not unlike flying a 767, in that respect.

Because of my background in ATC, I have tremendous respect for controllers. They always get the benefit of the doubt and I turn the other cheek, without regret, at the first offense. I've cringed more than once when a pilot went off on ATC and will never forget my Capt telling off a local controller in SDF over nothing. That Capt became the head of the professional standards commitee at our union for a while...boggles my mind.

Nice to see this new forum. We should encourge Fox Xray to answer our questions and bring his buddies along to JC.

August 1st, 2006, 00:57	#11
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,546	Re: What's this? Well. I was a strip ripper. I ripped strips. Back in those days, we had an FDEP machine (flight data and entry processer) that printed out flight data strips. It was way old school outdated, even in the mid-80's. This thing was from the 60's, I swear. Anyhow, the flight data strips came out of it. I ripped them off. Then, I'd highlight the SID routing so the departure controller could see it easier and I'd drop them off at the proper controllers position. I also did the arrival ATIS. I talked into this phone thingy that was a recorder. I'd listen to the recording and then send it out. I had to cut a new ATIS anytime new weather came out. I was once told to cut a new ATIS and fib a bit on the winds. Seems like the pilots were complaining about landing with more than a 10 knot tailwind. I had no idea. So I made a new ATIS with 9 knots of tailwind instead of 11. I also did clearance delivery for TOA, HHR, and SMO. If a pilot called one of those towers for their IFR clearance, the tower guy would call me and I'd read the clearance to them, then give the departure strip to the proper radar guy. When the weather was good, it was a cake easy job. I actually got board. Sometimes, the controllers would cover my position and I'd go to the burrito place in El Segundo for takeouts. I remember when first got trained, how hard I thought the job was and how low I felt. Nearly walked away from it cause of the stress. Later, when I learned the ropes, I almost wished for hard IFR for the challenge. Most of the controllers told me to get back into flying rather than stick with an ATC career. They were right. Leaving the FAA was the best decision I ever made. Not to imply that ATC is a bad job, it would be my second choice, but getting out when I did and sticking with flying until things turned around for me personally put me in the position I'm in now. Nuff said... I'll never forget my time at LAX TRACON. It was in this old hangar that was torn down when they put in the 105 freeway. It was just west of the the old, old, first terminal building at LAX. Guess they can't tear that down for it's historical value. Anyhow, I think back on how cool it was to be in a dark room full of radar screens and the controllers doing their thing, sometimes shouting stressful instructions to their cohorts across the room. It was very exciting at times. Mindlessly boring at times. Really, not unlike flying a 767, in that respect. Because of my background in ATC, I have tremendous respect for controllers. They always get the benefit of the doubt and I turn the other cheek, without regret, at the first offense. I've cringed more than once when a pilot went off on ATC and will never forget my Capt telling off a local controller in SDF over nothing. That Capt became the head of the professional standards commitee at our union for a while...boggles my mind. Nice to see this new forum. We should encourge Fox Xray to answer our questions and bring his buddies along to JC.