Air Traffic Controller Retires After 37 Years

Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 11:24

Air Traffic Controller Jerry Michel is retiring after almost four decades with Ports of Jersey.

Starting his career in 1987, Jerry experienced the first Great Storm within just two months of being an air traffic controller.

Coincidentally, he also ended his career weeks after Jersey's was rocked again by the Great Storm of 2023 with 100 mph winds and a tornado.

Jerry says he had not even thought about the fact his career has been bookended by storms.

"The first one I was actually away on my first training course in Bournemouth, so I experienced the '87 storm in a caravan at the back of a private hotel.

This one was, I think a bit more spectacular."

During his 37-year career, Jerry Michel has made millions of transmissions over the local airwaves, and even some as a private pilot on the other side of the radio.

Jersey Airport has also seen many changes over the years, including a move to the current air traffic control tower 13 years ago.

However, despite a lengthy career, Jerry says he is looking forward to retirement.

"I have three dogs that need walking, I enjoy doing that anyway, they'll get some longer walks which they'll like.

We're going on a cruise next June, my wife and myself, in the eastern Med, so I'm looking forward to that and generally just doing things for myself.

Quite looking forward to not getting up at 4:30 in the morning to come into work or leaving at 11 o'clock at night, that's going to be a big bonus definitely."