What It Takes To Be An Air Traffic Controller At The World’s Busiest Airport

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Air traffic controllers at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are in charge of 909,431 takeoffs and landings at the world’s busiest airport (in a normal year). But the job isn’t easy. Not only are lives on the line, but any mistake at Atlanta could cause a ripple effect of delays across the country and the world. Pre-pandemic, Business Insider went up inside America’s tallest air traffic control tower to learn what it takes to be one of 58 air traffic controllers here.

Correction: The video incorrectly states that Atlanta tower directed 190,000 flights in 2019. The accurate number is 909,431 flights in 2019.

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What It Takes To Be An Air Traffic Controller At The World’s Busiest Airport

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43 COMMENTS

  3. These ladies and gents are the ultimate multi taskers. If you ever looked at some ATC banter video's you will also know they can both do their incredibly complex jobs and crack jokes like no one's buisness. Its impressive as hell.

  14. So Do all Airports have GSR in case WX goes below Minimums? I worked Ground at TYS Airside for a Commuter Airline We were the Weather Alternate for ATL It didn't happen often but sometimes ATL Arrivals were diverted to us and I'm pretty sure other nearby Airports such as CHA TRI BNA Because we had lengthy Runways we could support large AC 🛬 landing We would Hard Stand them out on the Tarmac Not sure if some of them were Gas n Go We could still handle Inbound Approach traffic as none of the Diversions had to be Blocked in to any Gates as we were well above minimums Flt crews on these Diversions would of course contact our ATIS on Assigned Frequency and FICONS accordingly They were sequenced with regular Arrivals Doesn't ATL have several SIDs depending on which Departure Runway is used? On Arrivals are In Trails Restrictions usually 10 miles on Finals? Depending on Flow Control which will impact the AARs? Aren't those Flt Progress Strips also referred to as 'Shrimp Boats' for some reason? Thanks! 'Taxi the full length into position and hold G'day!

  15. This is basically the exact opposite of what I can do. I struggle to focus on a single thing with low stakes, while these people have to focus on 30 things with very high stakes, while listening to radio chatter which to me sounds like alien robots screaming at each other. I would have a migraine and a mental breakdown after 10 minutes of this.

  18. Being a controller for 27 years 5 months and 3 days, I can tell you that it doesn't matter your education level. You have to have that 3rd GEN, to be able to think in 3 dimensions. I once had a trainee that had a Master’s degree from Princeton that couldn't separate two airplanes with a screen door. If you hear a controller that screams at pilot like a lot of Kennedy controllers. They are in over their head. Why management allows that I have no Idea. When you hear a Controller scream at a student pilot, they are endangering a life. When a controller is belligerent to any pilot in IFR condition, they should be brought up on attempted Manslaughter charges. The worse offenders are the contract tower controllers. Left alone for 8 hours at a time, leaving the tower unattended while they take bathroom breaks. It is insane and should be investigated

  20. These guys are trained to handle the jobs. They can handle the actual job. What they cant handle is corporate trying to cut their budget and manpower which adds real stress to the job. That is the core part of their stress.

  21. These controllers are very skilled as are the ones at many other busy terminals in the US like ORD, DFW,JFK,LGA, EWR, PHX,LAX,SFO,DEN,HOU,MIA,PIT,DCA,etc,

  24. i am truly excited to hopefully join! my stepfather is a retired ATC manger, he went from Chicago to ATL to Memphis to B-HAM, he said i could do it and i trust him. the top of the Memphis tower is my personal favorite view!

  25. I designed Air Traffic Control systems, you’d be amazed how unsophisticated an airport tower is, only the best towers have surface movement control systems. Most towers use a radar display, paper strips, weather monitoring, and the old reliable Mark One Eyeball 👁️

  30. how is atlanta the busiest airport and not one of those UAE airport like doha/dubai since they are literally located in the middle of the world (hub)… or maybe singapore?

  31. Air traffic controllers have insane pressure, they have to be very smart. At least here in Sweden. I think it's a bunch of tests and IQ tests and stuff to get in. But the salary is also superhigh

  35. my dad retired as atc and i just got my job offer. still have to make it through training but im crying in joy i can take after my amazing father hopefully. just the opportunity to be a atc is a blessing. thank you to all the men and women keeping the airways safe.

  36. Is it just me finding out that the windows in the air track control room are opaque😅 I thought they be see through to also give some visual aid in helping control air traffic😆

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