I've taken a tower tour at Tampa International more than once. They ask if you are a pilot, and if so, give you "the special". The trip through the basement apporach control area, then up into the tower, took about two hours. Every detail is explained, and much to my surprise, several controllers are EAA memebers and pilots. It is an eye-opener and should be a definate "must" on your list of flying things to do. The tour helps to explain things in your mind when you are given directions that just don't make sense, and also helps you understand that, like yourself, they are human and make errors, and realize they do. 99% of them strive to give great service.
When I was there, one controller made the remark, "I don't like Cessna pilots." Another controler turned to him and said, "That's because you don't like anybody, so shut up!" That one guy is the 1%. A bad apple caught in a government bureacracy that will one day get his due.....or I can only hope. Point is: I don't let this guy ruin my vision of the other 99%, but if I encounter him, I shall go to his supervisor. Great people. I then went to the Tampa FSO to see what was going on there. What do I see? A guy who was a member of the same ABATE chapter I was ( A Brotherhood Aiming Toward Education, a motorcycle rights group) sitting in an office....he was the local director of the FSO. I talked to the guy a million times and never knew it. It's nice to know you have friends in high places. All in all, a great bunch of people. Do like Mark says...take the tour. You will forever be happy about it. Scott __________________________________ Yahoo! for Good - Make a difference this year. http://brand.yahoo.com/cybergivingweek2005/
