Working under IWR

ohrok Newcomer Cleveland

I was just wondering if any veteran controllers could share specific examples of the current working environment/atmosphere. If there is such a thing as a "typical day," please describe it. To what extent do you interact with supervisors and management, and do you find such interactions to be adversarial? Is it always "us against them," or do some controllers become supervisors/managers to use their power, so to speak, for good and not for evil. On the other hand, have you seen those with good intentions changed as they climb the ladder? Do some specific facilities have better or worse conditions/management/reputations than others?

There are many threads and forums about the IWR and how it relates to pay. In what other ways has it affected the work force? Any input would be greatly appreciated, as I am but a young grasshopper seeking guidance.

Adam Unregistered

I will just speak for my facility. The atmosphere is great, management and the controllers generally get around great...if you have a family emergency or really any type of reasonable request, management will do whatever they can to help you out. We have a lot of staffing so we generally work 4 hours out of an 8 hour day. No overtime...if you are certified on just one position the ATM will allow you to work holidays if you want so you can earn the extra money. The ATM will also give trainees a choice on two sets of days off...this one trainee was going to be put on Sat-Sun off, but the ATM asked if he would prefer another set of days off so he could get the chance to earn Sunday pay. I volunteered to work a couple hours credit one day and the ATM asked if I would like overtime instead.

If you take sick leave, you aren't questioned about it...even if you take it in conjunction with your days off...heck, I have seen some people take it in conjuction with annual and no one really minds...I believe since we our staffing is so good.

As a new hire, advancing sick leave or annual isn't a problem.

The ATM cooks breakfast on Friday mornings for everyone, he barbeques as well on occasion.

Anyways...I guess I'll stop there, I don't want to rub it in too much because I know there are facilities that are 180 degrees from ours. One in particular I believe is Baton Rouge (KBTR). We had a controller that just came from there and he couldn't believe the difference.

We have it super here. I just wish the rest of the FAA would be like this.

Can't we all just get along?

sooneratc Rookie

Here's a recent article regarding the ATM down at BTR. Interesting enough, the FAA just sent out an email to applicants asking who would be interested in Louisiana...pretty hard to get anyone to accept a position down there apparently.

FM_Weasel Trusted Contributor

hahahahahahaha. Holy hell. That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time, sooner, thanks for that.

PCFunk Rookie Northern Colorado

Gnome you have to come up and see our facility....see the real FAA.

niko2831 Newcomer

IWR has destroyed the controller workforce. Managers become dictators and everyone is pissed off. They are a bad thing and I feel like I am back in the military. Change is coming.

ohrok Newcomer Cleveland

They don't try to make you salute them, do they? But seriously, what are some specific examples of the work rules that have been imposed? Thanks.

klkm Senior Member

The worst has to be being stuck in the facility like prisoners. There is no reason we shouldn't be allowed to leave on lunch breaks.

KDskylark Junior Member New York, NY

Is that really the worst? Are you not being trained? Are you getting days off? Split shifts?

Centerpuke Junior Member ZTL

Dont worry about it until you get to your facility. Seriously, you will figure it out soon enough. Dont keep yourself up at night worrying about IWRs. Besides, by the time you make it, they will all be gone.