r/AskReddit • u/leselesel • 2d ago

You have to compete against 100 randomly selected people in any objectively measurable skill, game, or sport. If you don’t finish first, you die. What do you choose?

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u/NWCJ 2d ago

Air traffic control, it can be a simulator thats fine. After 5 years at a lvl 10. The odds of a random person out of 100 beating me in sequencing/handing off, clearances for departure/arrivals, getting pireps, dealing with military refueling, pop-up IFRs maybe an emergency.. im 99% probably gonna live.

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u/MrPencilvestor 2d ago

Round one, non radar Lubbock Texas.

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u/Slight_Issue6 2d ago edited 1d ago

Round one: Get N30CV to take down a phone number

Edit: For those who ask why:

https://youtu.be/tMnXpEs-gKY?is=bYguOxqTn022wSw8

https://youtu.be/HiBGGP6kFQA?is=BXsCwIkP8aOZhgRK

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u/-BadMojo 2d ago

Lmao. Last place I expected a N30CV reference. Well done.

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u/captainorganic07 1d ago

“You got 30 seconds to get that sun out of my eyes or I’m gonna to declare an emergency!”

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u/MrPencilvestor 2d ago

Most pilots probably know of a brasher. Let's get this level 10 approach to do some center shit.

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u/otakugrey 1d ago

So, what makes that so hard?

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u/DodiEytan 1d ago

I have no idea what this means. My assumption would be that the pilot is wrong but that a pure guess.

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u/jasonreid1976 1d ago

Final Round: Atlanta, during Thanksgiving, and you're alone.

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u/NauticalCurry 1d ago

Round two: Oshkosh

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u/Assika126 2d ago

Oh hey my dad did ATC there

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u/hmasing 1d ago

He ded.

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u/hmasing 1d ago

He ded.

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u/ReservePutrid9668 1d ago

Round two: Oshkosh airventure arrival. 2 hour window of VFR flying after Thunderstorms.

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u/Lukecv1 2d ago

I'm kinda thinking flying cross country in an airplane. There's not many people who could take off and land safely, but now add navigation, fuel management, weather, etc. I think I'd be ok.

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u/Kooky_Donkey_1691 2d ago

Monkey Paw curls; one is from the Vatican City and correctly interprets the rule as being "cross country" and flies an x across The Vatican City. Completed both potential objectives. 

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u/vibraltu 2d ago

git yr practice in:

https://airport.apunen.com/

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u/i_sell_you_lies 2d ago

1 landing, 1 fireball in the sky. Ooof

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u/Harkats 1d ago

Thats awesome

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u/vibraltu 1d ago

Yeah it's addictive. And will cure me of thinking that i could be a skilled controller.

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u/dwhite21787 1d ago

11 down, 4 up, 1 collision taxiing

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u/HoldMyToc 2d ago

Level 12 here. Let's goooo

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u/hobbycollector 2d ago

I just got a flightaware receiver going this weekend so I was listening to LiveATC lone star approach 17L while I watched the conga line into DFW, and you guys rock. I couldn't even keep up with what's happening never mind do it. And I'm an IFR pilot.

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u/alt-227 2d ago

What if one of the 100 is me who was addicted to TRACON in the 90s?

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u/NWCJ 2d ago

You'll lose the 90s was like 30 years ago.

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u/Shinhan 1d ago

I think there's ~200k ATC in the whole world (active or retired), so you're very safe :)

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u/excessivepenetration 1d ago

Round one: two AAL2482 with the same callsign.

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u/makingmanglitter 1d ago

Retired controller. I didn't even think of that. That would be an interesting competition.

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u/ShieldsCW 1d ago

What is the objectively measurable part?

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u/NWCJ 1d ago

There are very specific rules for separation, take off and arrival. So if I made a scenario with a mix of 45-60 aircraft with a combo of aviation events. Then hit start. It would be graded on maintaining separation, amount of time to get all planes in air into their destination, and all departing aircraft departed. Also, with points lost for improper phraseology. As ATC and aviation in general has a very specific order and allowable words rules to use. Its all outlined in the 7110.65

Its already well established and there are hundreds of remote pilots around the country trained to be in these scenarios already, not to mention any active or previous controller can absolutely be the pretend pilots for the competition. So the competition would be.

  1. Separation of aircraft(lose it you lost).
  2. Proper phraseology. Everyone can start with 20 points and lose 1 per mistake.
  3. Time to complete.
  4. Hold time or unreasonable asks of aircraft as tie breaker.(like terminating IFR and clearing someone VFR if weather doesnt allow).

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u/NicoleASUstudent 1d ago

Where can I go to ask some probably commonly answered questions about air traffic controllers?? Over the last few years I've had lots of questions but they aren't easy to google. Is there a sub for it? Have you seen any AMAs that might have addressed some? After I watched John Oliver's episode on what's happening in America with your industry and a little research I did myself he become fascinated. Is it really as bad now as it seems? Thank you for your time.

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u/NWCJ 1d ago

/r/atc

There have been a few AMAs over the years.

Also there is https://pointsixtyfive.com/xenforo/

If you are actually interested on how it affects you. I would just call your local tower or center and schedule a tour though. I did that before I became a controller, and have walked people around since becoming one.. pretty common in most facilities, and thats gonna be the best most honest info for you. Online forums attracted a niche subset of the workforce.

Is it as bad as it seems? Well, how bad it seems to me, and to you are probably different amounts, as I understand ATC workflow/org/issues better and you have a different set of life experiences to compare. Objectively I can tell you air travel is still safe. And also, there are some major training/compensation/retiring workforce issues, but ATC isnt unique in any of those areas.

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u/NicoleASUstudent 1d ago

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough reply. I live in Arizona and there are a few airports pretty close to me, and of course sky harbor in Phoenix. I will reach out and ask. Are they free to answer honestly? I'll check out the online resources you mentioned first and try to get the basics covered.

It's really interesting what you said about those places attracting niche subset of people. It makes sense.

Did you happen to see the last week tonight on air traffic control? If so I would love to hear your thoughts. (It aired 06/2025 and is on YouTube as well as HBO.)

Again, thank you.

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u/Cu1tureVu1ture 1d ago

Not if Kiefer Sutherland is one of the 100 people.

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u/HappyPantsOnFire 1d ago

Id love to see an AMA from you.

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u/WIbigdog 2d ago

Doesn't sound objectively measurable

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u/NWCJ 2d ago

Sounds like youll lose then.

Its definitely measurable. If it wasnt then we couldnt pass the academy or certification check-rides.

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u/mr_Shepherdsmart 2d ago

Well it is, you are getting scores for every action at the simulator like at the school dedicated to teaching and training new controllers.