Scaredflyer21 From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 355 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 8 months 8 hours ago) and read 1851 times:
How do Air Traffic Controllers get to the tower each day? Do they have some type of transportation vehicle that shuttles them to the tower? Also, where do they go through security?
TheGreatChecko From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1110 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (6 years 8 months 7 hours ago) and read 1738 times:
Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Reply 3): So does are ATCs not required to go through any type of security check?
Other than a background check when hired, no. I can't think of any towers that are on the secured side of the terminal and require the controllers to go through security.
For example the tower at STL has a separate door from the main concourse, even though it seems like one has to go through security to get to it.
Some airports may issue some type of ID badge if the tower is located on the secured side of the field. Other than that, they have their FAA ID's on them when they are at work.
GreatChecko
"A pilot's plane she is. She will love you if you deserve it, and try to kill you if you don't...She is the Mighty Q400"
Skyexramper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months 7 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Yes most towers you park at the bottom and either walk up or take the elevator. It's that simple...and if you can't clearly see the entrance into the tower, then it's better off not trying to figure it out cause you'll probably attract unwanted attention from the locals.
Quoting TheGreatChecko (Reply 4): Some airports may issue some type of ID badge if the tower is located on the secured side of the field. Other than that, they have their FAA ID's on them when they are at work.
Controllers will have an airport issued SIDA badge with proper clearance.
Iahflyr From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4722 posts, RR: 25 Reply 6, posted (6 years 8 months 6 hours ago) and read 1659 times:
Quoting Skyexramper (Reply 5): Controllers will have an airport issued SIDA badge with proper clearance.
Not always, if they have no need to access any airport areas they don't get approval for any airport badges.
One would drive to work, go through security at the gate to the facility, have an ID that is required to be displayed at all times. At some airports they are able to go through passenger screening points without a boarding pass for official duties such as a meeting, but that is site specific.
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
PWM2TXLHopper From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1217 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1523 times:
Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Thread starter): How do Air Traffic Controllers get to the tower each day? Do they have some type of transportation vehicle that shuttles them to the tower? Also, where do they go through security?
Thanks for the info!
Scaredflyer21
As mentioned it's really quite simple! It's starts in their garage at home when they get into their car. They drive an average 1/2 hours-45 minute commute on the highway, and then when they get to the airport they either take a left or a right turn depending on the location of the ATC Tower on the field. Next they pull into the parking lot next to the tower, put their car into park, shut off the ignition and exit the vehicle. Usually this is followed by a short walk to the door located at the base of the Tower. This is the tricky part.... When they reach the door at the base of the tower the usually have to swipe some kind of of digital I.D. through a card scanner followed by a pin number. There is a short pause and the door unlocks. The air traffic controller then enters the building where he must push another button to call the elevator which he would ride up to the top floors where he works to start another day. This is of Air Traffic Controllers get to the tower.
CPHGuard From Denmark, joined Jun 2006, 254 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1497 times:
I beleive it is different from one airport to another.
I can tell you, that in CPH, the tower is located outside the SRA (security resitricted area). The new tower however, will be located inside the SRA, and the controllers will need ID-cards, like everyone else who works inside the fence. They will use their own cars, to drive to the tower.
Different however, is the controllers in the Apron tower. In CPH it is located inside the CSRA (critical security restricted area), and the entrance is from the terminal building. The controllers will have to park outside the terminal, and will be security-checked, just like any other passenger, according to EC-regulations.
N670UW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1595 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1451 times:
I've been in the CMH tower (the new one). There was a tall metal gate surrounding the tower and the adjacent parking lot. There was some type of security clearance to have the gate opened.
Once inside, it was simply an elevator ride...albeit a long one in a small elevator. There's a stop along the way for the Columbus TRACON facility, which sits just below the tower cab. Then it was about two flights of steps once the elevator reached the top.
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