792 JOURNEYMAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS FROM ARTCC, TRACON, and FSS facilities answered a four-part questionnaire concerning (a) what they liked and disliked about ATC work, (b) how much they liked or disliked certain specific aspects of ATC work, (c) how they felt about shift work, and (d) their level of job satisfaction. The three ATC specialties are compared for agreement in their job-related attitudes. The most negative attitudes were associated with night shifts. The findings are discussed in terms of the similarity of the controller groups to members of other occupations, and in terms of the significance of the findings for improving controller morale.

ATC attrition rates have been investigated recently for sex differences in the proportion of trainees completing FAA Academy training; the percentage of women who subsequently left ATC work was twice that of men. In the present comparison, questionnaires concerning aspects of job-related attitudes were given to 56 male and 56 female former trainees (attritions) who were matched on several variables, and also to a sample of controllers (63 women and 63 matched men) who entered training at the same time as the attritions, but who were still in ATC work (Retentions). The results are reported.

This text discusses the skills and abilities that air-traffic controllers need. Its approach is international as air-traffic control practices throughout the world have to be mutually compatible and agreed.