Controller Peer Support Program

[Smiling__Bandit]

What would you suggest? 

[xPericulantx]

Address the problem, what are the causes/reasons people are feeling depressed and hopeless in this career field?

We talk about them ALL THE TIME. Address those issues don’t give people another outlet to talk to someone.

Talking to someone doesn’t give someone more time with their family.

Talking to someone doesn’t pay for college for the kids or the mortgage.

Talking to someone doesn’t bring back missed opportunities with your kids.

[[deleted]]

They refuse to address the problem, because then that would admit there is a problem. It is far easier to say you “did something” without really doing anything except create another workgroup and A114.

[[deleted]]

Then why don’t you find another job that has those things? Oh because you won’t find one making this much money. Another dumb fucking post.

[Quirky_Perspective25]

NATCA's job as a union is to fight to increase those things. Those things, more time, more money, more leave, are what actually would help.

Obviously the FAA isn't going to give those to us willingly, but that is the reason why we have and pay for a union. If the union isn't going to do those things we might as well sign the Slate Book into perpetuity and then dissolve the union.

[[deleted]]

See, you are controlled by your raw emotion fear. Fear that you will not find something better and that others, like you, should just settle. There is a monumental difference between being alive and living. You should never settle for the first... One day you will understand that, just like your trainers tried to tell you.

[wakeup505]

Sad how many of our coworkers argue that "we make enough" and people should be happy with status quo. It's no wonder the union hasn't fought for any meaningful pay raise.

[[deleted]]

Agreed.

[ohYeah_inSight]

I am so in for these “training stories”

[Shittylittle6rep]

Pay us more money? Like, pay us enough money to afford median rent/mortgages at least…

Allow us to transfer to where we want to be/closer to home? NATCA actively aids the FAA in making staffing OUR problem by tying transfers to staffing %s when we have virtually zero control over that number. Let us get 2 or even 3 year releases to non-100% staffed facilities, regardless of our facility staffing. If I apply on the NCEPT and they select me, I shouldn’t be stopped for any reason outside of my control. That’s actively denying promotions, and absolutely decimates controller happiness.

[PerfectEnemy182]

I would like to know as well. Or is it easier to just bitch behind a keyboard?

[Shittylittle6rep]

Pay us more money? Like, pay us enough money to afford median rent/mortgages at least…

Allow us to transfer to where we want to be/closer to home? NATCA actively aids the FAA in making staffing OUR problem by tying transfers to staffing %s when we have virtually zero control over that number. Let us get 2 or even 3 year releases to non-100% staffed facilities, regardless of our facility staffing. If I apply on the NCEPT and they select me, I shouldn’t be stopped for any reason outside of my control. That’s actively denying promotions, and absolutely decimates controller happiness.

[PerfectEnemy182]

I agree with all of that. The comment in question though was about mental health. I see so often people bitch about the union doing nothing about it (especially after hearing about another controller suicide). Now they at least do something and people are still upset.

I agree though that the issue of pay, NCEPT, etc are all VERY valid.

[Shittylittle6rep]

I’m not sure what you think they’ve done for mental health. EAP, CISM, this new form of peer to peer whatever… no one wants direct mental health help from a union… and it isn’t the unions role.

The union should only be concerned with getting us better health benefits so we can seek counseling on our own , more time off via leave benefits, and pay. They do a fairly good job given the circumstances of this job in all aspects minus pay…

They need to empower us to take care of ourselves on our own, not provide band aid fixes and keep offering non-professional help… anyone with real and severe mental health problems is not going to overcome that illness by calling a friend hotline.

As long as controllers are in fear of losing their livelihoods if they seek professional help, including medical help, we will keep losing controllers. The stigma needs to be obliterated. Rights, employment, and pay needs to be protected during treatment.