Hi all, I started training recently at my first facility and have been having trouble seeing certain alphanumeric characters in the data blocks while sitting on the D-side position. In specific I have trouble making out between eight's and zero's in the CID or certain letters like Y and V, or the up arrow and T in the altitude line. I think it also depends on the R-side and their settings. I can see everything fine if the R-side has brighter settings with normal size font but if the settings are dimmer or the text is small, it's harder to see, and I'm sitting there leaning in hard to see the data blocks. The sector that I'm at is really busy and every second counts, I can't be sitting there trying to guess at what I'm looking at. Has anyone else been through this while going through D-side training and what have you done? I have seen an optometrist about it and I can read 20/20 fine, so he doesn't have much that he can do for me.
Having Trouble Seeing from the D-Side
- Thread starter hoponpop
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FightingIrish2012
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Yeah do that lol. That will be the fastest way to become the mockery of the center get washed out other then losing your medical when you tell the sup you can’t see the radar screen.
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Welcome to the world of atc! Adapt and overcome is the best advice you'll probably get.
CaptainObvious
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?
Some people work with tiny data blocks. D-side is part of the sector team and should be fully aware of what’s going on. If that causes mockery at your center, that’s a way bigger problem than what the OP said
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If the R side wants your help on the D side then he needs to turn his shit up. We have a few people that have dim settings and I've never heard them gripe when asked to turn them up. Mention it, I'm sure you won't be the first to have said something.
This.
Happens all the time and never seen anyone get upset about it other than a little ribbing towards the trainee asking. If it’s a busy sector like the OP said, then I want my d-side to actually be able to see.
32andBelow
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Your facility sounds terrible if people are like this
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Most facilities are garbage cans full of bullshit. I'm on my 4th facility. One was alright until a new atm came in and tried to change and rubber stamp everything, place turned into a shit hole. I was at another facility that was absolutely amazing, county club. Even the country club had shitty people though. Mostly people that were direct hired there, it's their only facility so they don't know how good they have it but still all they do is complain...
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If the r-side is a super douche for some reason and won't adjust it within reason for you, mention it to your trainer and ask them to help. If they don't help you out, bring it up to your supervisor. They should all be helping you as much as practical.
Lol @fightingirish supe and trainers already know and I haven’t lost my medical. But I was basically told that it’s really up to the r-side however they want their settings and whatever they’re comfortable with, and that I’d just have to get used to it. One r-side has been willing to change his settings but he also said not everyone will be willing to do that, so I just assumed I was SOL on that front. Maybe it’s just the culture in my area. There’s 2 other trainees at my center who I know have been having the same issue. One of them said he just has to guess sometimes on the CID. If it doesn’t work, then he’ll type it the other way, like if it’s not 102, then he’ll try 182. The other trainee basically said it’s just a battle that you have to fight through to succeed. I guess I’m gonna have to just keep doing that.
I’ve always turned mine up when asked...
because being able to read data blocks is important if you actually expect your D side to help you.
But by all means, mock the trainee and then get pissed when they’re not helping. Sitting in front of a screen generally gives you a better visual presentation than sitting at its side...
because being able to read data blocks is important if you actually expect your D side to help you.
But by all means, mock the trainee and then get pissed when they’re not helping. Sitting in front of a screen generally gives you a better visual presentation than sitting at its side...
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You need glasses. So many developmentals realize they need glasses when starting training. You can tell right away cause they sit super close to you and the scope.
Southern
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To back up what the person above me said, we had a guy they threatened to stop training because of his poor eye sight. Dude had perfect vision, or so he thought. Went to a doctor got a prescription for glasses and is doing significantly better at seeing datablocks. Granted yes, some R sides will dim their limiteds or won’t dwell lock their on frequency AC but if you can’t differentiate between an 8 or a 0 or a T or an up arrow it’s time for glasses.
CaptainObvious
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So how do you explain having glasses and still having a hard time? Data blocks on 1 and dim settings are hard to see from the D side regardless
This.
I do wear glasses already because I have astigmatism and I can read 20/20 with my glasses on. Didn't I mention in my first post that I already went to see an optometrist?
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Phillyman2633
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One of my trainees at my last facility couldnt differentiate between a DC10 and an MD11 so I sentenced him to 60 lashings and immediately sent him to LCH for the remainder of his career to repent.
Dont worry tho that was at a tower, not at center so you're probably fine.
Dont worry tho that was at a tower, not at center so you're probably fine.
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I would explain you have trouble reading in dim lighting. They may give you a stronger prescription just for the scope.
Or you could just sack up and ask the r side to brighten it a couple...
P
PushingTin
Guest
The answer to this is theorietically very simple, but realistically clouded by many esoteric factors like the institutional hazing of new trainees and egos.
Its extremely black and white and obvious that if ANY individuals - from the most noob annoying trainee to the crusty 30 year vet - ability to function properly as part of the radar team is diminished, the settings must be adjusted to a level that is workable by both.
In reality, if you do not navigate this potential minefield with tact and diplomacy, you may end up alienating some of your trainers or the important old vets whose blessing you will need to ultimately certify. If you ask nicely and give them (for better or worse) some deference and show appreciation for the R side working w you then I think all will be well.
That said, there will always be a couple assholes in each area whose world is coming to an end over forcing them to do anything thats not in their set routine/bubble for the past 30 years. Drive to work...get coffee...sign in area and open ___ sectors... take break... order bagel sandwhich... read entire newspaper like 75 year old... spend 8 mins 45 seconds in the bathroom... check tinder, text mistresses, call wife, play 4 games of cribbage, back to the bathroom.... get paged back to area.... cuss out sup and go back for another card game out of defiance... get paged again... leave game angry... sign back in to area... snark the sup, sigh a lot.... refuse to work D side (skills are way above that).... sign in the rdar.... new trainee "excuse me sir, I cant see your data blocks"..... RAGEEEE RAHHHHHHH.
stir, rinse, repeat. retire. die. RIP.
Its extremely black and white and obvious that if ANY individuals - from the most noob annoying trainee to the crusty 30 year vet - ability to function properly as part of the radar team is diminished, the settings must be adjusted to a level that is workable by both.
In reality, if you do not navigate this potential minefield with tact and diplomacy, you may end up alienating some of your trainers or the important old vets whose blessing you will need to ultimately certify. If you ask nicely and give them (for better or worse) some deference and show appreciation for the R side working w you then I think all will be well.
That said, there will always be a couple assholes in each area whose world is coming to an end over forcing them to do anything thats not in their set routine/bubble for the past 30 years. Drive to work...get coffee...sign in area and open ___ sectors... take break... order bagel sandwhich... read entire newspaper like 75 year old... spend 8 mins 45 seconds in the bathroom... check tinder, text mistresses, call wife, play 4 games of cribbage, back to the bathroom.... get paged back to area.... cuss out sup and go back for another card game out of defiance... get paged again... leave game angry... sign back in to area... snark the sup, sigh a lot.... refuse to work D side (skills are way above that).... sign in the rdar.... new trainee "excuse me sir, I cant see your data blocks"..... RAGEEEE RAHHHHHHH.
stir, rinse, repeat. retire. die. RIP.
