5 Report, Disclose, Protect, Learn

I overheard a conversation of two air traffic controllers recently. They were talking about an incident in their control center. They discussed what they thought had happened, and who had been involved. What should they do about it?

"Remember," said one controller to the other, "Omertà!"

The other nodded, and smiled with a frown.

I said nothing but wondered silently: "Omertà"?

Surely this had something to do with the mafia. Not with professional air traffic controllers.

Or any other professionals.

Indeed, a common definition of omertà is "code of silence." It seals people's lips. It also refers to a categorical prohibition to collaborate with authorities. These controllers were not going to talk about this incident. ...

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