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Author Topic: What do you think of Boston John?  (Read 156780 times)

Offline robyul1

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What do you think of Boston John?
« on: September 16, 2007, 01:19:49 PM »
Just wanted to throw this one out into the forum and see what people think.  Do you find Boston John good at what he does?  should all controllers have a sense of humor like him, OR do you find him unprofessional, or somewhat babyish?

Post your opinons!  Thanks!

Rob
Montreal, Canada



Offline jonnevin

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2007, 02:23:08 PM »
I think he is great. He gets the job done in a busy airport and his humorous style helps ease the tension. I would take his attitude over the opposite (which unfortunately exists more than it should) that other controllers display.

I have never heard any valid argument on why his style is not good, other than "not professional" which doesn't mean anything

Offline BWilliams

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2007, 11:52:57 PM »
I think that all of the large airports need a light-hearted guy like Boston John in the tower.

John does his job well but manages to stay calm even when he's got a whole load of metal in front of him.  He may not use perfect phrasology, but if he's got control of the frequency and gets things done, it shouldn't matter (the N90 controller clip is a good example of that; compare that to "what taxiway do you enter the ramp" at JFK... bad style while utterly confusing the pilot)

Offline dorishd

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2007, 10:27:09 AM »
Great to listen to. Sounds like he enjoys his job and doesnt mind letting everyone else know he enjoys his job. Im sure at least 90% of the pilots on any given Boston John shift are put into a better mood from his communications. How could they not be? , except maybe for the "speak english" pilot

Offline Panop

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2007, 11:44:11 AM »
There's a fine line between easy going and unprofessional but he doesn't seem to me to cross it.  In fact his intentions and instructions seem perfectly clear and quite obviously get the attention and co-operation of his 'audience'. 

I would hate to think that the obvious need for standard phraseology completely wiped out any individuality or the human touch.  Having said that I am sure there are elements within the industry who would disagree and I have a suspicion that if there ever were a serious incident on his watch there would be those who would be looking for ways to point the finger at any breach of 'correct' procedures. 

Imitators should beware that only the genuinely talented can hope to get away with what could be considered by some to be unprofessional behaviour. Casualness should never be an excuse for slackness and standard procedures have been created for a reason.  That reason should always be 'safety first'.

Offline keith

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2007, 01:27:30 PM »
Like most ppl on this forum, I'm a huge Boston John fan.

It's worth mentioning that while he injects a lot of humorous, casual chatter on the frequency, his actual INSTRUCTIONS are phrased correctly (if memory serves).

There's usually a funny prefix on the callsign, or a funny comment at the end, but from what I recall, he doesn't jack with the instructions themselves, and I suspect that's why he has so few detractors.

Compare, "It's not rocket science, it's JET BLUE....232. Boston Tower, wind xxx at yy, rwy zz cleared to land" with, "Jet Blue 232, you're cleared to land, rwy xx"

The first is a typical Boston John line...funny prefix, spot on phraseology for the instruction.  The second is a casually (and incorrectly phrased) landing clearance which I've heard on the air from time to time by other controllers.

The other talent he has is dialing back the gags when time is tight.  Good stuff.

Offline binky

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2007, 02:01:33 PM »
I'd bet that the majority of people who love him are pilots and especially the listeners here, while most controllers think he's a bit of a knob.  The perception on one side of the microphone can be entirely different than the other side.  The Canadian controller who says 'ROGG' after every transmission is or was the smoothest sounding guy who was working Toronto Approach/Departure at the time, and friends of mine who flew in and out of the area swore he was the best.  I was surprised when I had the chance to visit the Control Tower and Radar Room at Toronto that he was...how shall I say, not well received well by his peers.  So for entertainment value (eg at this website) I guess John is good, but it says nothing about how good he really is at what he does.

Offline JBnut

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2007, 01:32:25 PM »
I'd bet that the majority of people who love him are pilots and especially the listeners here, while most controllers think he's a bit of a knob.  The perception on one side of the microphone can be entirely different than the other side. 

Well being a controller I haven't had the luck to work with Bos John but he would be a controller I would love to work with because of what was said earlier.  He brings ease to a stressful enviornment..  Keep up the good work John

Offline laylow

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2007, 02:23:35 PM »
Boston John can be heard on the Boston Tower feed, right?

Offline tyketto

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2007, 02:49:44 PM »
Boston John can be heard on the Boston Tower feed, right?

Pretty much any of the Boston Local controller feeds. He won't always be working Tower. Nor do we know exactly when. So tune in and tune in often!

BL.

Offline antatc

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2008, 07:03:21 PM »
He's a great guy.

He really gives you a good mood, even if you're just listening in through the web from as far away as I am. (from France, in the french alps)

I guess the pilots get a god mood too when they hear him, he just makes your day, some people have this in them, and he's one of them, it's really nice that we can all benefit from it.. long live the Internet !

And, yes, all ATC in Boston are nice to hear too ;-) , seems there's a good feeling at that ATC "center" (or whatever it's called).

Offline NAplaya16-ATC

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2008, 04:31:28 PM »
It's nice to hear someone with some humor and fun in a business thats usually always serious and uptight. (which im glad it is, b/c there is lives at stake!!!)   

Its great to hear someone who flat out loves his job, the work he does, while makin it more enjoyable for others too!  (except for that "Speak English" pilot)!  lol

-NAplaya

djmodifyd

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2008, 10:08:59 AM »
I wish they could talk like he does.

i bet he has a few years in the agency!

hell.....i say ANYTHING more than the prescribed phraseology the QA guy is on me.

sometimes i let things slip....and pilots love it!

i think they like the more relaxed atmosphere sometimes....compared to the rigid instructions they are used to hearing.

Offline Balint Rigo

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2008, 04:13:31 PM »
Can he be heard controlling these days? If you catch him please notify... Thanks :)

Offline B1900Mech

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #14 on: July 18, 2008, 08:19:52 PM »
This is a video I shot while doing a maintenance taxi at BOS,   ,Is that John?

Offline MIAMIATC

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #15 on: July 18, 2008, 09:36:40 PM »
I live a half mile from TPA and the controllers here are nasty and are very dry when it comes to a flight trying to strike up lively banter. There is one controller that wishes every flight departing a SHALOM when handing off to center. Sounds like it to me

Offline CFD208

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #16 on: July 19, 2008, 01:15:45 AM »
This is a video I shot while doing a maintenance taxi at BOS,   ,Is that John?


Yes

Offline jmp1500

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2008, 11:47:08 PM »
I like his style.  Very professional yet relaxed enough to keep the stress levels down.

Binky wrote:

Quote
I'd bet that the majority of people who love him are pilots and especially the listeners here, while most controllers think he's a bit of a knob.  The perception on one side of the microphone can be entirely different than the other side.

I can see that being entirely true.  Then again he might just be the relief valve that they need in the tower. 
I'm an emergency services dispatcher, which of course is no comparison to a controller, but it does have above-average stress levels as well.  I have a style that I've been told is enjoyable to listen to.  My officers, FD, and EMS personnel have all told me they enjoy when I'm working.  I've been doing it for 16 years, still waiting for it to become a 'job', and don't even have the slightest signs of burning out.

I'll bet Boston John is one of those guys like me.....absolutely in love with his job.  By the way....is John still working in ATC?

Offline dave

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #18 on: July 21, 2008, 04:36:33 AM »
Yes, John is still working in ATC.  I was up in the Tower last Friday for a tour and unfortunately he wasn't working then, but he is still on the crew at Boston.  It is great to see anyone like John who does a great job, loves his job, and makes quite a few people smile every day.  The world can use more people like John.

Dave

Offline NORDO

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #19 on: August 16, 2008, 01:05:11 PM »
Boston John rules.  He's very deliberate and concise, and he genuinely seems to enjoy his job.  Interestingly enough, he doesn't just bid departures "seyahh" or "auf wiedersehen," he actually waves at the airplanes as he's handing them off!  Genuine guy who does a damned fine job.

Offline mghilliard

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #20 on: August 16, 2008, 05:04:32 PM »
John's a good man. I worked with him for many years at the BOS. I retired at the end of 2004. John is now a staff specialist at the tower. That's why you don't hear him very much anymore. He would only be on during the day-shift when he gets currency time.

Mike Hilliard
BOS (ret)

Offline evilcuban

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #21 on: August 18, 2008, 02:39:12 PM »
Yes, John is still working in ATC.  I was up in the Tower last Friday for a tour and unfortunately he wasn't working then, but he is still on the crew at Boston.  It is great to see anyone like John who does a great job, loves his job, and makes quite a few people smile every day.  The world can use more people like John.

Dave


Maaaann, how do you get a tour of a tower?!  I'd LOVE an opportunity like that.

The first thing I remember thinking when I heard John is "this guy really likes his job."  When it gets down to the nitty gritty that guy can move some aircraft.  I really appreciate people who can bring some fun into their work but have the discretion to know when and the skills to back it up.

Offline goowe

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #22 on: August 19, 2008, 09:19:30 AM »
I recently drove across the country on my way to school and toured a few facilities on the way... I found it's pretty easy , you just need to call the FAA number for the control tower or facility.

I found that this website has good contact numbers: http://www.acukwik.com/AirportInfo/KBOS
(under "Control Tower Phone")

If you have trouble with that number, call the administration office of the airport and ask to speak to the FAA Control Tower to schedule a tour and they'll get you there.

Good luck! I'd love to hear how it goes.

Offline w0x0f

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #23 on: August 20, 2008, 09:59:35 AM »
I live a half mile from TPA and the controllers here are nasty and are very dry when it comes to a flight trying to strike up lively banter. There is one controller that wishes every flight departing a SHALOM when handing off to center. Sounds like it to me

I knew exactly who you were talking about when you mentioned the "Shalom" controller.  Actually, he is saying "Shlong," you know, like "So long."  He also says that they are not permitted to engage in lively banter.  TPA is most definitely a no fun zone.  Too much FAA Kool-Aid.

w0x0f

Offline bigyakSD

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Re: What do you think of Boston John?
« Reply #24 on: August 21, 2008, 01:22:10 PM »
Simple fact is most people are competant at what they do. only a few can be masters. we have a similar guy here at KSAN. And I tell you what, he gets it done, with only one runway, spacing can be tough. not everyone can do it either, we can always tell when someone is less skilled. they start making guys go-around