My perception of the staff specialist position is that I'd have to be less lazy than I am as a controller. More thinking involved, more self motivation required.I recently took a staff job to combat these concerns. With a young family I was missing out on too much. Not a good time position, but I dry my tears sharply at 3PM each day. No weekends, no holidays, no overtime and still keep the job security as well as keep my head in ATC. Is it permanent? Probably not, but for right now its pretty great.
I get some flack from controllers for taking this job when I could keep controlling, but on the same token I have plenty of controllers coming to me curious about the job or saying how they wish they had bid it. Its a tough time for ATCers.
Sounds exhausting to me.
I'll gladly show up for my mandatory six days if it means I can keep being a mindless zombie.