Atlanta Tower - ATL

jarhead0863 · Posted: 02-12-2010, 09:49 PM

I did a quick search and could not find ATL discussed in the tower section. What info do you guys have on this tower? All I know is that it is a level 12 tower. I know that they are the busiest airport in the world. According to airnav.com, they average about 3000 ops a day. Anybody know about staffing levels, checkout time, wash-out rate, working conditions? Thanks.

noid · Posted: 02-12-2010, 10:05 PM

I've been there a couple times. The place is insane. Local is busy, but very structured. Ground is where you get your ass handed to you. Hell, I even know a guy that didn't make it on data. I don't know the staffing levels there. They used to let you work the easier positions to check out, then have you work your way up to the harder positions. Now, after data, they throw you to the wolves. It's sink or swim. They recently got a simulator downstairs and they are working on (may be done now) a set of scenarios that are pass/fail for new arrivals to go through before ever getting on position upstairs.

jarhead0863 · Posted: 02-12-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noid

I've been there a couple times. The place is insane. Local is busy, but very structured. Ground is where you get your ass handed to you. Hell, I even know a guy that didn't make it on data. I don't know the staffing levels there. They used to let you work the easier positions to check out, then have you work your way up to the harder positions. Now, after data, they throw you to the wolves. It's sink or swim. They recently got a simulator downstairs and they are working on (may be done now) a set of scenarios that are pass/fail for new arrivals to go through before ever getting on position upstairs.

Thanks for the quick reply. With 5 parallel runways, one must think that would make life easier. With the comment you made about you knowing someone who didn't make it past data, I am curious to see what the washout rate is.

MikeATC · Posted: 02-12-2010, 11:28 PM

I know from experience that ATL and A80 had among the best training programs in the FAA. From what several of my friends have told me ATL controllers are working a lot of overtime. They run a split tower, North/South Locals and Grounds, unless things changed only two of the runways are designated as arrival runways and two as departure runways, the newer south runway is used as an departure runway when needed or they can land someone on it when needed.

Like all very busy facilities Ground control is among the hardest positions, even though ATL has 5 runways they don't have a lot of ramp space to stash aircraft when they are encountering flow delays so the Ground controllers have to be creative (they will teach you all this).

ATL like ORD and other busy facilities is a very structured enviroment, they have established procedures for everything, specific departure procedures and routes, etc. The controllers there make it look easy, but they are among the best, and yes they can be cocky but when you work that many aircraft everyday you deserve to be a little cocky.

I can't imagine someone failing flight data, if that is true then that individual must had been totaly clueless or was afraid of the work load and never was able to get comfortable or confident in their abilities. Most of the flight plan information is electronically transmitted to the aircraft, you just review the information, make any corrections and hit transmit, stuff the strip into a holder and pass it on.

noid · Posted: 02-13-2010, 08:13 AM

Yeah, 10/28 is mostly used during their arrival or departure pushes. A lot of pilots hate landing 10/28 because it is so far out there.

They have a new end-around taxiway on the south side which really helps because it limits having to cross runways.

Ramstar13 · Posted: 02-13-2010, 02:44 PM

besides holding planes somewhere for flow, i heard ground isnt that hard there compared to ORD or LAX. We have a controller from there that transferred before 9/11 when there were way more planes and you pretty much just taxi them to "the ramp." The ramp towers do all the pushbacks. The locals are busy but the A/C all go "correct," meaning not alot of coordination between the locals. But all positions are very busy. Again this is ALL HEARSAY from another controller i work with thats from there.