My Gripe

[Eskimo]

I recently applied to be a controller at West Coast ATC thinking that (though I am a real world pilot) it would be cool to control in Flight Simulator.  I have never manged to have a proper multiplayer session before and I was looking forward to being allowed to control an airport.

I recieved an e-mail from some guy there yesterday asking me questions like if I have FS, teamspeak, things like that and also, how old I am on my next birthday.  Being the good little person I am I truthfully said 17.

This afternoon I recieved another e-mail saying that I was too young to be condiered for a controller position.  This is what I'm p!$$ed off about.  How can I be too young for a VIRTUAL controlling position.  This seems very strange and I am about to enquire as to the nature of this disallowment of me not being a controller.

To be fair, it did say on the site, at the bottom of the FAQ section, that you have to be 18; though I still do not know why.

Thank you for listening.
I feel much better.  ;)

[Drastic]

lol lets kick there ass!!!

[Fly2e]

Eskimo, many of the VA sites take themselves very, very seriously! Maybe they were just sticking to heir 18 or older rule. This may be that besides just being a controller, you may be exposed to other responsibilities that you may need to be 18 or older for. Say............... the West Coast ATC Christmas Party where Mary Higgins gets drunk and flashes everybody with her virtual..........................

Uhhh,.. You get the picture!  

Dave  8)

[Scottler]

WestCoast strives to be as realistic as possible.  One of the ways they do so is to require all controllers to be 18 years old.  This eliminates the stereotypical "little kid" controller who doesn't know what he/she is doing.  Now, before you say you're not like that, you're probably right.  But not everyone is able to say that...this is why the rule exists.

What it all comes down to is, it's their site.  They can make whatever rules they want.  (Harsh, but true.)

[737NGCapt]

If your lookin' to ATC, Go to VATSIM. No place better to ATC. I've been there since January and have had a blast.

[Eskimo]

Unfortunately, VATSIM requires Squawkbox and I can't find it anywhere.  So I may have to be a text only controller.

[737NGCapt]

Squawkbox is only needed to fly. You download their controller client, ASRC, which is available at AVSIM to ATC.