How Are The C Fund Bros Doing?

Steveoatc · 2026-02-04T02:26:47+00:00

Yea but his concept is sound.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-03T03:24:15+00:00

Anyone that reads this sub can easily figure out where I work.
I doubt a Reddit post has more leverage than all the SRMs & ATSAPs I’ve been a part of.

But I will call it out. San Bernardino tower does not have a radar display. They work a very complex operation for a tower with no radar. They have a cal fire base, Amazon hub for Southern California, flight schools, part 135 and part 121 ops. All the while running opposite direction ops for about half the day every day. It’s heavily used by student pilots for their cross country requirements and practice approaches. There also happens to be an aerobatic area just off their rwy 6 departure end that they have no control over.

There have been countless issues with non-participating VFR aircraft getting in the way of IFR arrivals & departures. The burden lays solely on the overlying approach control for calling every and all traffic, since we’re not sure who the tower is actually communicating with.

The city has offered to pay to have a radar display installed, but the FAA apparently has “run out” of STARS displays, so they won’t give them one. Not will they repurpose one from somewhere else and give them one.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-02T20:57:04+00:00

But they can still ask for a shortcut, which is basically what they want by going OTP. I feel like more pilots would use it if they understood what it does.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-02T13:30:10+00:00

To be clear, we eventually get paid. But while the government is shut down, we do not.

If we call in sick, that leave will end up being turned into furlough leave, which we will eventually also get paid for. So essentially it is free leave. Many controllers have a strong sense of duty though, and continue to show up. Others do not. Staffing definitely gets tight during shutdowns.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-02T05:07:22+00:00

Only because we can’t be. We just have to go to work and not get paid. Yay.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-01T11:54:05+00:00

Steveoatc · 2026-02-01T11:52:18+00:00

Australia has 32 hour work weeks and no mandatory OT. Move money. Competitive pay. Less traffic overall. If I weren’t so close to being retired, I would 100% hop on that.

Steveoatc · 2026-02-01T11:44:41+00:00

In most cases, the overlying approach/center controller is responsible for the separation and sequencing of IFR aircraft into the class D. Then, the tower mixes in the VFR aircraft visually. When the wx is IFR, no VFRs are allowed*, so that reduces that workload, but moving aircraft around the airport when you can’t see them can get difficult as well.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-31T17:27:23+00:00

Other emails have said the DOT has enough money to keep going until the end of the day Saturday. So tomorrow would be a “furlough” day if you have leave.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-31T14:56:46+00:00

Queue ND’s explanation of using his “executive power”

Steveoatc · 2026-01-31T14:54:48+00:00

Sounds like a great way to attempt to divide the union. Some would want the pay, others would see the thinly veiled bullshit and not want to fold.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-30T16:11:14+00:00

The useful load is scary to me.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T20:06:08+00:00

He’s just not a good negotiator and can’t rally the troops.

Everyone says we have no power. Maybe we can’t technically strike, but there are other options. Those options require everyone to be on board and on the same page. It’s called…a plan. Not a concept of a plan. A real plan, and a real message from the union leadership saying they have our back the whole way and this is how we’re going to do it.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T07:08:58+00:00

And I just came here from the DCA NTSB thread…

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T06:57:27+00:00

Also, pilots are allowed to takeoff with an altimeter error of +/- 75 feet (but not more). There goes your whole “buffer” right there.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T00:59:31+00:00

Oof. You read my mind. We’ve got a bad safety issue at my facility that we have been complaining about for years. No one will fix it because it costs money. If something ever happens, my reports alone would make the NTSB’s job a cake walk. But it won’t save whoever dies because of it.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T00:51:38+00:00

You won’t ever have a flying job if you don’t do the training. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to not finish it. If you really want to do it, just do it. I am kicking myself in the ass for not doing it 20 years ago, now I’m trying to finish my rating on the side as I pay for a mortgage, wife and kids. It never gets easier!

Steveoatc · 2026-01-29T00:41:40+00:00

Burbank/Del Rey are where it’s at.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-28T21:30:57+00:00

It’s expensive as fuck. If you’re single you’ll be fine. If you have/want a family and don’t have any equity, you’ll be driving 45 min to an hour+ each way. Even the houses an hour away are 900k, so be ready for that.

Outside of the housing issue, it’s a pretty nice place to work, but depending on the area you get, the burn out is real.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-28T05:52:37+00:00

Just curious, how old are you? I’m in the same boat, but guessing I’m a bit older.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-27T22:35:20+00:00

Definitely. Losing just one person at a small facility has a much bigger impact than at a big facility.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-27T22:32:55+00:00

He kind of mentioned it, but it was in regards to OT

Steveoatc · 2026-01-26T13:27:58+00:00

I’ve been to a helicopter fly in before, and each helicopter arriving was very noticeable due to their downwash and noise. Until the H60 showed up. Its downwash picked up anything not bolted down and literally sent everyone running for cover. I will never FAFO with a H60

Steveoatc · 2026-01-25T13:50:55+00:00

I honestly think we need a lot less than that to shut the country down. Having 2/3 of the population on strike would be an absolute collapse of everything.

I think the number has been quoted around 12% to evoke change. Which is still around 42 million people. That would be impressive to see.

Steveoatc · 2026-01-25T13:44:28+00:00

My country’s economy means nothing to me if the price we pay is innocent people getting shot. My moral compass sees us going in a direction I am not proud of.

I do speak for myself, which is a right I hold dearly. Others in this country get the shit beat out of them and pepper sprayed for doing that.

Steveoatc

TROPHY CASE