Having been very happily married for a long time, my wife and I partially attribute our success to recognizing each other’s pet peeves. Examples? She hates it when kitchen cabinets are left half-open or dining chairs aren’t pushed in, so I ensure that doesn’t happen. My home office may appear, well, unkempt, but I know where everything is, so she knows to leave her organizational tendencies at the door. These minor actions and expectations help maintain a healthy, happy household.
The relationship between pilots and air traffic controllers functions similarly. Through experience, education, and real-world training, we learn the other’s expectations and requirements, and strive to achieve a mutually beneficial operation. Knowing what your counterpart needs, minimizes aggravation and complications.
