Yet Another Air Traffic Controller Caught Napping

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When other lives are at stake the boss tells his employees they cannot sleep on the job. After all if he catches them he will surely have to suspend them and he is tired of the whole hire/fire-hire/fire game. Then there is his boss. If he knew that there were employees that actually slept on the job then he would be a ripping and tearing binge for a week. However the trick is not to get caught. The executive realizes he has a big meeting where he must be at his best. Since he was up late getting ready and up early to get the paperwork finished he realizes he is tired. He simply locks the door and takes a nap. Even President Kennedy admitted to a power nap. Others are simply afraid to even consider that sleep is good. When lives are at stake any employee should not be deprived of his proper rest. A truck driver can pull over when he has to (if his dispatcher lets him) and a pilot can close his eyes while the first officer scans the instruments and listens to the radio.That's the real reason there are two of them. Even a bus driver will pull over to the side of the road and tell his passengers how if he doesn't get a few minutes shuteye he might not be able to keep the bus on the road. Would you argue with him? That New York Bus Accident where 15 passengers lost their lives was probably because the driver was afraid to pull over and get some rest. Don't we wish he had! So keep those controllers awake by all means. Tell them they have to sit there for hours until that one plane comes in to land. Just wait until a utility crew stops their truck on the runway to fix a landing light while the 757 comes in on the active without tower guidance. The controller fell asleep because he was in safety meetings (actually "your fault, not my fault) when he should have been sleeping. The boss basically told everyone they had to stay awake or get fired...not the incentive it should be when talking about basic body functions and so when 192 paying passengers lay in parts across the burning runway the boss could tell himself...his fault, not my fault! Of course when the boss and his family are aboard he makes sure the controllers are well rested before flying. Wouldn't anybody in that position? Look, wise up! Put two in the tower or the radar room or wherever. Provide a quiet room with recliners where the tired can catch up and his is close if needed. Hire adults that know when their minds are shutting down and have to rest. Even God rested on the seventh day. Face it...humans have to drink, eat and sleep along with disposing of the eating and drinking. Make it work and keep the skies safe! Do not wait for the trajedy to happen. Be the boss that said I will make a difference...not the one that takes the blame.

Controller: "I WASN'T asleep, I was just taking a NAP!!! Geez, What's the big deal?..."

How about inventing an alarm system for when an aircraft approaches the air traffic controller's air space, just in case he HAPPENED to doze off?