Why This is Such a Good Thing
The jumpseat program is designed to familiarize air traffic controllers with the duties and workload of pilots. This is good news for all pilots, even if you fly a light sport aircraft or something else on a scale smaller, than, say an Airbus 380. Here’s why.
When air traffic controllers can watch pilots and directly see how high the workload can get as we fly, it gives them a better understanding of how to handle us as they sit at their radar station.
When controllers know, firsthand, about those times when we simply can’t handle rapid-fire directions or three instructions in one breath, they are more likely to adjust their pacing and delivery of instructions. When we ask to steer around thunderstorms, as the turbulence is bouncing our eyes in their sockets, they will get a better idea of how critical that situation is.
Payback’s a Bit Challenging
Now that controllers will be able to watch what we do, I’m going to suggest we pilots return the favor. Go and visit the nearest Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON,) or, your nearest enroute center. Watch and listen to what air traffic controllers go through when the weather is bad and the traffic density is high. You might be surprised to see how tough those situations are on ATC. It might just change your mind about how to work with ATC.
Walk a mile in another person’s shoes. It will change your perspective. Don’t you think?