Interesting Controllers and Their Schedules

[FL Pilot 229]

I just heard that Boston John is now in management and doesn't perform very often.   Are there other interesting controllers and if so what are the feeds and the times?

Thanks for any help.

[phil-s]

Just tune in to kjfk twr anytime between 5 and 9 PM Most of the stars are out 'Alan" and Dennis are the only ones we refer to by name but there are dozen others who are just great, And as it slows, later in the evening, you can now switch to a combined twr/grd freq which becomes more and more intelligible as the congestion eases.  Enjoy! It's been great lately with all the snow. .

[FL Pilot 229]

thanks for the help!

[StuSEL]

Did that one guy who let his kid on the frequency ever come back? (reference JFK tower)

[iflyhi]

@ stusel  of what importance ?   let it go.  no response needed

[StuSEL]

Say what? I wanted to know if he ever returned to the position. Haven't heard anything about it... He was a good controller.

[eastern tristar]

I agree that listening to JFK for the evening rush is always entertaining.  The new ground/tower mix is great, you can get a heads up on runway changes, (when you hear planes being sent to another runway for departure), or if emergency equipment is rolling for an incoming emergency (luckily I have never heard them be needed).

How long a shift do controllers work and how long to they stay on a position at a time?  What are they doing when they are not "on the air"?

[StuSEL]

It depends on the facility, but they usually don't work a position for longer than an hour. Each day is an 8 hour shift. There are three shifts a day.

[djmodifyd]

It depends on the facility, but they usually don't work a position for longer than an hour. Each day is an 8 hour shift. There are three shifts a day.

not exactly true...but close.

according to the contract controllers should not work more than 2 hours on position at a time.  8 hour shifts are usual...can be 10 depending on overtime, or if they are working 4 10 hour days.  there are "3" shifts, morning, night, mid...but inside there there are multiple starting times.  whether it be 6am, 7am, 9am etc.  And those starting times vary at each facility due to local level negotiations between NATCA/Management.