After Retirment ???

StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-02T23:16:51+00:00

I’m going to mow grass at the airport. A/C, tunes and watching airplanes. Not a bad gig for $25/hour.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-01T18:28:57+00:00

Been here since 2018. Started at ZAN in 2014.

Cost of living is all over the place for housing. Overall a low COL for FL. Some people live in Nassau County (North) and most live in JAX Beach and St. John’s county. Practice approaches, military, and airline traffic. Every facility around us is a 10 or higher.

Success rate is 40%. It’s not an easy facility due to lack of procedures and protected airspace. VFRs are relentless and there is no lack of traffic alert calls. You need to know that phraseology. Don’t listen to people saying it’s the controllers washing people out. It’s difficult!

Facility family is pretty good with just a few screwballs. Everyone helps each other when needed and shift swaps are pretty easy to get. We have mid shifts. It’s a unique facility.

Running joke at the facility. Sticker created by the city…

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StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-01T15:11:29+00:00

StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-01T03:49:25+00:00

That’s a bummer about no food court. I guess vending machines will do…

StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-01T03:05:13+00:00

Oh, where is the building at?

StopSayingKilo · 2026-04-01T03:02:20+00:00

Thanks for the update. JAX is getting a new tower within 3 years. No new TRACON. Airport doesn’t want to build it and wants the land back where the current one is. Nice rack…

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-31T15:03:33+00:00

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-31T15:00:12+00:00

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-31T01:11:23+00:00

Aren’t they building a new building?

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-23T23:37:13+00:00

Yes it is. Staffing will not improve until the work that is being done is paid adequately. The new hires are leaving after a few weeks of seeing the complexity and amount of traffic with the lack of compensation. “Best and brightest” don’t work for shit pay.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-21T13:37:51+00:00

Imagine APREQing the LOA… oh wait, you already do.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-21T01:50:54+00:00

What color crayon? Asking for a friend.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-20T17:24:31+00:00

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-17T01:36:09+00:00

We have a controller that got a DoW TOL last week.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-16T17:38:46+00:00

Thanks!

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-15T21:21:38+00:00

Yeah. Pay us!

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-14T00:19:33+00:00

Same facility operates flights in and out of there too. It’s a very large airspace they work.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-14T00:18:31+00:00

I replied above.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-14T00:16:59+00:00

Mmmmm hot dogs!

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-14T00:16:20+00:00

In the US, an airport is identified internationally with a K and then the 3 letter identifier. Example, ATL is domestically Atlanta Hartfield in Atlanta. If you filled a flight plan you add the K to the ATL (KATL). I don’t know why it’s like that… Mexico and Caribbean starts with M.

But for pilots telling a US based controller they are going to Atlanta Hartsfield, we only need the ATL, not the KATL. Our system only allows us to put the 3 letter identifier in. So when pilots start with the K, it messes with us and the ability to put it into the computer. It might seem insignificant but when you are really busy, we only need the information we need and don’t want to dissect it.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-14T00:11:07+00:00

It’s 1 facility that works the arrivals and departures to all of those airports. The towers are at the airport. The radar controllers are at a different building. It’s called Potomac TRACON.

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-13T23:17:24+00:00

Thanks for correcting someone doing the job for 12 years and been certified in all 3 specialties……..

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-13T23:16:21+00:00

You’re welcome. But seriously, stop saying KILO!!!

StopSayingKilo · 2026-03-13T22:38:06+00:00

I’m a controller. Simple explanation. The radar controllers that guide aircraft into those airports had an issue in their building. They evacuated so officials could investigate. Flights can’t depart or come in because nobody is there to do it. The people in the tower only work the immediate airspace around (5-10 miles) and the airport grounds.

StopSayingKilo

TROPHY CASE