"A profession in which person of definable intestinal fortitude; unlimited ability to correlate masses of confusing numbers, figures, rules and statistics, both defined and infinite in their change; the calibre and character associated with the most demanding discipline and integrity and resolve to their job, unmatched by the vast majority, daily accepts with enthusiasm normally associated with pleasure rather than work; the responsibility of ensuring the safe passage through unfriendly and crowded skies, the immeasurable assets represented by multi-million dollar aircraft and the multitude of lives contained in these fragile ships of skies. To be an Air Traffic controller is to be proud, arrogant, bold and may be a little foolish…But I would not be anything else."
Air traffic Controllers are well trained professionals who design the sequencing of air traffic in the air space and along pre-determined routes of arrival and departure to and from airports around the world. They are responsible for the management of flow of safe, orderly and expeditious traffic with least possible delays on the ground as well as in the air. 
They are also responsible for providing advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flight and alerting appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of assistance, search and rescue.
A Controller is a quick thinking man who doesn't have the privilege to stall. He is like a surgeon, composed in knowledge, precise in actions yet without the benefit of burying his mistakes. All his instructions to aircraft are recorded continuously on tape and any instructional error is traceable by replay, a tremendous constraint on the individual - a disturbing yet necessary requirement that no other profession entails and no professional has to contend with. This makes the Controller a man with a mission of responsibility scrutinised constantly, functioning to standards of pinpoint accuracy. He plays a major role for continued safety in the field of aviation-the safety that we as a passenger enjoy!
The nature of job of an Air Traffic Controller demands a very high degree of alertness and capability of decision making. 
The Controller's reflexes and his memory has to be honed razor-sharp in order to help him correlate all data instantly to arrive at a decision while resolving air traffic situations. He utilises all his senses while discharging his functions as a Controller. Be it day or night, weekday or a weekend, festival day or a holiday, teatime or dinnertime, the Controller is expected to be in full command of his sensory organs to deal with any situation that may arise during the discharge of his duties.
Here in this job, you got to take decision in splits of second and decision has be correct only, there is no opportunity of correcting a mistake. 
And one mistake, one incorrect decision by you, could very easily translate into untimely termination of maybe one thousand lives.
Controller is supposed to remain in full mental alertness at all times. Any lack of response or slackening of vigil on his part while in command can result in disaster and as such he can just not afford the luxury of mental or physical relaxation. Despite tension filled life, what motivates an Air Traffic Controller is a personal satisfaction the job gives which not only holds the highest degree of professionalism but also helps thousands of passengers reach their destinations safely.
The sky is totally managed by the Air traffic controller. He tells the pilot when to start, where to taxi, when to take off, what speed to fly and what height to maintain to ensure adequate separation between aeroplanes-he tells him when to descend, how fast to descend, what the weather at destination is, he clears him to land and tells him how to taxi his aeroplane to the parking slot, so that his passengers can disembark safely at journey's end.
The quantum of faith that the pilot has to have on the Controller is difficult to explain, even more difficult to understand - a kind of faith that may not move mountain but would yet get you home from the storm laden skies when your skills are taxed to the limit, and the relief and solace given by the Controller becomes your solitary source of comfort.
No professional Captain worth his salt would hesitate in expressing his gratitude to the Controller, not for once, but for the many times the Controller guided him and gave him the precise instruction to safely bring his aeroplane home.
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