Wow takes me back longer than I want to admit to.
My uncle worked for BOAC and on some Saturdays my dad dropped me off at the BOAC MX hanger and I just sat and marvelled.
I also used to spend virtually everday of my summer holidays on the viewing gallery on the Queens building at LHR where they had loudspekers broadcasting the tower. I marvelled at all the exotic places these planes where flying to. [flying in those days was for the rich only]
I really wanted to become an ATC but didnt get my degree at university so that went down the toilet but the seed had been sown.
I have spent many hours of my life at airport perimiter fences with a scanner and am now an avid fan and listener Of ATC Net.
Now living in Santa Cruz CA I listen to SFO mostly but wish the UK rules could be relaxed so I could listen to LHR occasionally.
Have to say wouldnt want to be in ATC in USA right now far too much asked of far to few, heart attacks must be a regular occurence in senior controllers because of stress.
God Bless all ATC's
Roger