zacht180

You didn't answer the fucking second question, Adam. Already ruined it...

Hi, I currently work in public service and have also had a long history as working as a police, fire, and 911 dispatcher. I used to think of air-traffic controllers sort of like dispatchers, but for planes... and requires you to be much smarter and tedious regarding the technical work. I've considered looking into learning more about air-traffic controlling and have been on the fence on whether or not I should make the initiatives to actually pursuing it as a career option. A few questions:

- I am fine under pressure and can handle tense moments as well as demonstrate good multi-tasking and decision making skills. I am also a very good communicator. Thanks to my current career I've developed those skills quite well, but on the contrary I have never been an academic person. I did attend college and have a BA but for the most part I was always a B/C student and struggled with complicated subjects like math or chemistry. I was always under the impression that ATCs had to be very good mathematicians. Is that correct?

- I am red/green color deficient and very rarely I might have a hard time distinguishing two shades of red and green. Is that going to be a medical DQ?

- The benefits are great. Are there any commodities or advantages when it comes to travel, similar to how flight attendants get free or insanely cheap flights?

I appreciate your time.

I might have been mistaken, then. I always was under the impression you were all excellent mathematicians. Thank you for your answer and good luck to you.

For anyone else curious about color-vision requirements (found on the link OP gave above):

There are two basic types of color deficiency. Those who are “color weak” are called trichromats, as they have cones in the retina to see all three primary colors. Trichromats simply have a relatively fewer number of cones for one type of color. They usually can pass the FAA color light gun test, even if they have not met standards on other types of color vision testing done in a clinical setting.

An individual with the second type of color deficiency is called a “dichromat”. These individuals have a complete absence of cones perceiving one of the primary colors. Dichromats make up about 2% of the male population. There are three types of dichromats: protanopes, deuteranopes and tritanopes... All dichromats are at risk for temporary monochromatic vision if looking through tinted lenses or glass.

For air traffic controllers (ATCS) and ATCS applicants the FAA requires “normal color vision.” People, generally men, have different degrees of color vision deficiency. It is the degree of deficiency that determines whether one of the tests can be passed. Only a very rare person is truly “color blind.” If an applicant can pass the FAA color vision test administered, even if slightly color deficient, they would meet standards and would be qualified. If they can not pass the test, they would not be qualified.

There are a number of different methods they use for testing as well, including the FALANT light test, Ishihara test (the most common one we all know of - the dots), the OPTEC 900, etc. So given your color-blindness or deficiency isn't terrible and you can pass any of the applicable color-vision tests you should be fine.

Seriously. I'm surprised that this AMA doesn't have more traction.

Thanks for doing this.

Les - what was the time you were most scared you've ever been in your life?