FAA Suspends Air Traffic Controller For Watching DVD On The Job

And another thing. This job that pays very well, is more difficult than one can imagine. We need the cooperation of all passengers. You must not nap during your flight, because you need to be looking out your portholes and over the wings and are far as you can see, for close range airplanes. If you see a plane nearby, tell your attendant so that they can send a wake up call to the ATC on duty and have them make an announcement like"United, you are flying too close to Contenental." Help out your air control persons. There is no "I" in safety. Although us guys are stressed and get good salaries, we need the cooperation of everyone.Thank you and goodnight.

THAT'S RIGHT YOU JUST KICK THEM IN THE BUTT, THAT WILL KEEP THEM AWAKE, NEXT TIME.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH UNIONS, IT'S THE INDIVIDUAL THAT'S SLEEPING. GET THE RIGHT GUY...

I have to say more about the many comments and more about ATC's. The position of air traffic controller is very challenging. Yes the pay is better than most jobs but it takes a special animal to do the job well. The ATC's do a good job. They are constantly scrutinized and for the people who think the suspensions are with pay, think again. I have been reetired from the position for 10 years and I still have nightmares about crashing airplanes. Why you ask, because I cared and still do. The job is an ego trip because the controller knows he is GOD. For all of you jealous people out there that berate the controllers, don't dare open your mouth unless you know of what you speak. Now let the first one of you who is perfect cast the first stone.

Is this a Unionized nap and dvd to get more controllers a good job and pay more dues?

There are systemic problems with how the FAA manages ATCs. A lot of the mismanagement is showing through in the stories that are being discussed right now. Turnaround shifts and rotating nights shifts, obvious and scientifically documented causes of sleep deprivation, should not be a standard for safety critical jobs. And the blanketed policy against any electronic devices in the tower, such as radios- which many of us listen to at work, has relevance during high demand times, but is short sighted for day shift employees forced to work through the night alone once a week. I recognize that this situation was on a Sunday morning, and was a dvd, not a radio, but I think this is an attempt to confuse the issue of the negligence and mismanagement of officials at the FAA by painting their staff as a bunch of lagabouts.
Thinking of the handful of ATCs who have nodded off as lazy slackers is an oversimplified, and incorrect view of the actual problem. The working conditions are honestly dangerous, and could have catastrophic consequences for many people. The real solution would be one that ensures safety for travelers by providing ATCs with an opportunity to do their jobs well, and then replacing those who do not.

gravy job man! great pay!

If I watch movies or sleep on the job I get fired, if a union public servant does the same they get a paid vacation on my dime.

being a retired government employee I can tell you the problem does not lie with the employees, it lies with the managers. Management is fully aware of what goes on in all the various agencies and when something goes wrong they simply look for scape goats to pass the blame on to. You wouldn't believe some of the horror stories that exist in today's beaurocracy. Gov't employees have a reputation of being stupid and lazy, I'm here to tell you that unfortunately it is a largely deserved reputation.

If i had done the same on my job i would have been FIRED.

Whatever you may think of ATC's, obviously the system is in need of a MAJOR overhaul! But, since the federal government is in charge of them, any changes will be idiotic, stupid and political!