TERRIBLE Decision by Air Traffic Controller

ATC is there to keep planes and pilots safe and they have a very stressful job that requires a lot of focus. The job isn't for everyone but this controller gets into it with a examiner representing FAA.

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[jerryplante]

We had a controller at my training airport that was a miserable SOB. When he retired the local pilots threw a retirement party, but they didn't invite him.

[cavannaro]

I’m a controller in the UK, 28 years valid, and this controller is an absolute tool. We’re on the same team as pilots, not trying to make them look stupid. If a pilot needs help, give it.
This guy needs a different job.

[neurodeee]

One aspect that wasn't mentioned: It's not just about the _potential_ damage the guy may cause in a future incident. It's also about his impact on culture. Like how one rude guy at the office slowly poisons the climate if he goes unchecked, and eventually it becomes the new norm.

[pastorjerrykliner]

On the other hand, based on the audio, that student handled being berated...under the nose of a Designated Examiner...extremely well. He was already under a tremendous amount of pressure already and seems to have handled this controller well on top of it. He landed the airplane, he continued to communicate appropriately...hope he passed his check-ride.

[primetym_yt]

"Story time"
Im a controller as well. I once had an allegiant airline pilot (on taxi) ask me when "how long will it be once i get to the hold short before i can take off?" I informed them that i had only 2 aircraft inbound and that it should only be about 5 minutes. ( 1 vfr 1 ifr ) proceeded to watch the 2 aircraft invound as i coordinate for a release for him. I continue to keep thebpilot up to date by giving him position of the aircraft hes after and that i have his release. In the mean time approach throws an airliner AT46 directly behind the vfr with only 3 miles to spare and speed exceeding double the preceding aircraft. I tell allegiant that he will now have to go after the air carrier due to spacing conflict that was just introduced. Pilot gets upset bc im informing him of a change in sequence. When his original interval landed the air carrier was was at 2 miles. While talking to other aircraft allegiant (A319) jumps down my throat saying " i could have gone between those 2 aircraft! im low fuel and need to get airborne" (he just left the gate less than 10 minutes ago) i explain that his sequence was set until approach failed to protect for his release time. He didnt like that either and begins to tell me yet again that he could have made the push. Theres no way an A319 is going to beat an AT46, from a static position at a 110 degree angle from the runway. I had to tell this particular pilot (which is why im telling this story and how it kinda relates) " unfortunately sir, im in charge of determining departure and landing clearances, and not you"
Other pilots behind him began to berate him saying things like, "maybe next time you can fill up your aircraft appropriately / why dont you wait your turn like everyone else, cant you hear the controller is trying to help you"

Ive never before or ever again had to speak like this with pilots backing me up

[der]

Retired controller here. That controller’s attitude and unprofessional behavior is a disgrace to my profession. Unfortunately there are people who get off on humiliating others, and they tend to gravitate toward professions like ATC and law enforcement. We need to be more diligent about weeding them out of such jobs.

[markgrnyer]

If I was that trainee pilot, I would be so relieved having a DE having my back like this DE does, just knowing I wasn't taking all that heat myself

[HenkeB]

As a contoller I've listened to many pilots talk about ATC. From what I've hear pilots really appreciate when ATC is the comforting voice that treats everyone alike. Doesn't matter if you are a first solo flight or piloting air force one. I will still treat you the same with the same tone in my voice and help you do whatever you set up yo do.

[FillC-rgcn]

I've flown in and out of San Carlos since 2004. This controller was "famous." We all knew who he was and he was a major Adam Henry. San Carlos is a training airport. Everyone did what they could to help the students except this POS. The place is like a really small town. A close friend used to work in that tower. I've been in that tower. Aviation is a totally small world. People will remember your tail number, your voice, where you worked or where you flew. I've even run into friends over the air while enroute. Always remember that and try to be polite, civilized, and professional. But also stand up for yourself. I've told ATC to pull tapes (at San Carlos) and I've been the one to initiate the phone call asking for their number on the air. I've talked to supervisors about controllers. I've confronted controllers with supervisory advice, verbatim and over the air. It's rare and you may never see it or have to do it, but if you're in the right, always stand up for yourself. You don't have to be rude or rough, just right. Have a calm, paced demeanor and remember, they're people too, they've got all the problems at work anyone does, overlook the small stuff but if they're bullying you just think of what they may end up doing to the next poor hapless student pilot who is just trying to learn.

[Whateva]

You’re a cool guy, willing to admit mistakes you did in your career is more than what most people would do.

[Citizen]

Everyone has bad days, but based on the comments, seems like this controller is exhibiting a pattern of this behavior. This needs addressed by the FAA.

[zestyquestman]

Damn that controller needs a reality check, there's no way you can work such a sensitive job with such a bad attitude.

[wenghiskhan]

Reddit comment on the incident above, with links to more of the backstory: 
"I own San Carlos Flight Center (Bay Flight callsign). This controller is the Air Traffic Manager at SQL. This incident happened over a month ago, and nothing has changed. Senior Management in the FAA's Air Traffic Organization is aware of the issues and has directly acknowledged this incident. Following the incident, I called the tower to express my concerns and the controller responded by telling me that I'm a "princess" for caring about this, was told that it's "bullshit" that I report safety incidents, and was told that if he was fired his bosses would be "doing him a fucking favor". The same FAA management acknowledged the phone call and are fully aware that this controller is the manager at San Carlos. They still haven't taken any action."

[StratMatt]

I went to a pilot-mill school where the training went way too fast and my instructor specifically told us during our instrument training, "Don't bother reading the section about holds in the textbook tonight, I'll teach you "the pen trick""... this resulted in having NO situational awareness during the hold and using the GPS map as a crutch (or rather as the basis of everything).
Unbelievably I had no awareness or understanding of how to enter a hold on a DIRECT entry if the turn exceeded 180 degrees.
During my checkride hold the GPS map was in "north-up" instead of "track up" as I was used to and (unbelievably!) no one had shown me how to change it.
I failed the checkride for failing to enter a hold on a direct entry because a turn in excess of 180 degrees was completely confusing using "the pen trick" taught by my instructor.

I felt like a complete failure when I failed, but it made me a much better instructor than I might have been otherwise.
I made sure that no other instructor in the entire world would teach hold entries and practice them as thoroughly as I did with my students.
And none of my students failed their checkrides. None!
You are exactly right that failures are extremely valuable learning experiences that make you better.

[nikwagenfeiler]

The “Kaiser Hospital” is not depicted on a VFR Sectional - the Cement Plant is. There is no requirement for the pilot to know where the hospital is.

[bobbylee]

As a retired air traffic controller with over 40 years of experience I completely agree with Kelsey's assessment of this "controller". Totally embarrassing to the aviation community and a potential danger that this type of person is permitted to remain on position.

[seanhorton]

I currently work right next to San Carlos airport. There is a school with a stable of various planes. I watch touch-n-go's or full stops all day and the pattern is always pretty full. I would not be surprised that a pilot was renting a plane to get checked out and was not familiar with the local area.
I have a number of friends who are controllers and they are some of the nicest, most helpful people I know. They say they give teaching moments, not criticism. This guy deserved what was coming to him for his attitude.

[PatrickSBellSr]

Wow. "You fly the airplane, I'll fly the Tower." Um, yeah, CLEARLY this controller should NOT be in this job. Imagine how this person would handle an emergency. At night. In bad weather. With a rookie pilot seeking assistance. Just sayin'...😳

[deborah]

A week or so ago, I just happened to catch a different video of yours with this same snarky controller...I was hoping that he was having a bad day, still, no excuse, and that was not his usual behaviour...but..here he is again...unbelievable! It was the same airport as they made reference to Palo Alto, ( nearby city)...I can not believe this controller is still employed!

[danielreuter]

I flew into San Carlos yesterday and just as an experiment asked where the cement plant is when he gave the clearance. The supervisor immediately jumped on and gave the location and said something like "I'll keep an eye on you and tell you when to turn". It seems like they're making an effort to do better.