How to Answer: Have you had to deal with an emergency situation in the tower before? How did you handle the situation?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Air Traffic Controllers job interview.
23. Have you had to deal with an emergency situation in the tower before? How did you handle the situation?
How to Answer
Air traffic controllers will experience an emergency and stressful situations more than the average individual. Talk about your exposure to this kind of stress.
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 6th, 2021
Entry Level
"If you have not experienced an emergency situation in the tower before: "I am new to this career as an air traffic controller and have not experienced an emergency situation in the tower before. I have been exposed to emergency situations in my everyday life and am confident in my training as an ATC that I would manage the situation well."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 6th, 2021
Answer Example
"Yes, I experienced an emergency situation just last week in the tower. One of our pilots had a heart attack while in the air. I was not the lead air traffic controller at the time, but I was on the support team. I did as I was told and made sure that I was alert and there for anything needed of me."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 6th, 2021
Experienced
"I have been an air traffic controller for the past eight years and have come across my share of emergency and high-stress situations. From planes requiring emergency landings to pilots experiencing heart attacks while flying - I have seen it all. During these situations, I remain professional and focused."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 6th, 2021