Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Air Traffic Controller
What air traffic controllers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Get a position relief briefing on traffic, weather and runway status. From there, the day usually includes issue takeoff, landing and taxi clearances, maintain separation between aircraft, and monitor radar and flight data. Facilities operate around the clock, so controllers work rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays, with required breaks.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an air traffic controller working full time.
- Get a position relief briefing on traffic, weather and runway status.
- Work the local control position, clearing departures for takeoff.
- Sequence arrivals with approach control as the morning rush builds.
- Take a required break off position.
- Work ground control, managing taxiing aircraft and vehicles.
- Handle a pilot reporting a medical emergency and coordinate priority landing.
- Complete training on a new procedure and hand off to the next shift.
Where air traffic controllers work
Controllers work in towers, approach control facilities and en route centers, often in dimly lit rooms with radar displays. The work demands intense concentration.
Hours and schedule
Facilities operate around the clock, so controllers work rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays, with required breaks.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Issue takeoff, landing and taxi clearances
- Maintain separation between aircraft
- Monitor radar and flight data
- Communicate with pilots by radio
- Coordinate with other controllers and facilities
- Give weather and traffic information
- Handle emergencies and unusual situations
Tools you’ll use every day
- Radar displays
- Radios and headsets
- Flight strips or electronic flight data
- Weather displays
- Binoculars in towers
- Automation systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay and federal benefits
- Exciting, important work
- Early retirement eligibility
- No four-year degree required
What’s hard
- High stress and concentration
- Rotating shifts and overtime
- Age limits for applying
- Long, demanding training
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I make fast, clear decisions
- I can concentrate for long periods
- I like pressure
- I can juggle many things at once
- I’m comfortable with rotating shifts
- I want high pay without a four-year degree
Not sure? Take the free Air Traffic Controller fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow fatigue rules and required breaks
- Use standard phraseology
- Scan runways and radar continuously
- Report errors and safety concerns