Inter-sector backup behaviors in parallel approach ATC: The effect of job satisfaction

Abstract

Inter-sector cooperation between air traffic controllers (ATCos) can provide an effective way to manage controllers’ workload by redistributing individual task-load at a group level, yet this area has not been fully explored. Based on our previous studies which have identified the effects of certain task-level features, this present research aimed to identify the influence of individual difference variables on controllers’ backup decisions. Forty licensed controllers performed thirty-two simulated final approach scenarios in which they had to decide whether to accept a hand-over request made by a controller working in the neighboring sector. We manipulated three key task-level features across scenarios: (1) participants’ task-load, (2) the requestors’ task-load and (3) the close-landing demands of the to-be-hand-over aircraft. We also measured controllers’ work experience and job satisfaction. HLM analysis showed that: after controlling for the effects of task-level variables, job satisfaction had a unique contribution and also interacted with task-level variables in predicting backing up behaviors.