Pushing Boundaries While 'Pushing Tin'

Feb. 16, 2006 — -- The world of air traffic controllers is high-pressure, high-stress and very male.

But according to current and former women air traffic controllers, it's also rife with sexual harassment, verbal abuse and overall boorishness -- which can be dangerous.

In 1988, a congressional subcommittee investigated claims of widespread sexual harassment of women air traffic controllers.

"I walk through a gauntlet every day, and that's down the row," air traffic controller Diana Mulka told "20/20" in September 1994. "Comments are made. Sometimes it's just looks, but it's a very intimidating situation."

Another air traffic controller, Olivet Smith, told "20/20" during the 1994 show that she experienced similar treatment.

"So I'm sitting there, working very heavy traffic, and all of a sudden I feel a hand -- not on my thigh, right in my crotch," Smith said. "In an instant, I had to make an instant decision: Should I address this male and try to fight him off or should I continue to work airplanes? I chose to work the airplanes."

Seventy-five percent of its employees are male. The 1999 film "Pushing Tin" portrayed the world of air traffic controllers as high-stress and macho -- but fun, and fratty. A sort of "Animal House" in a control tower.

But air traffic controllers deal with life or death decisions, and that's what makes allegations of abuse or harassment on that job potentially more consequential than other hostile work environments.

Last Friday, Michelle May, an air traffic controller at the Phoenix International Airport, quit her job, fed up with a workplace and supervisors she deems emotionally abusive.

"It's just a general culture of hostility," May told ABC News.

And just as was the case nearly 20 years ago, May said the Federal Aviation Administration tolerated harassment -- which, she warns, is dangerous.

"Instead of keeping in mind the separation between the airplanes," she said, "you were more worried about, 'Oh my God, what is this supervisor doing behind me?'"

The FAA says its workplace is safe for both employees and the public. Ventris C. Gibson, assistant administrator for human resources with the FAA, told ABC News that air traffic controllers are highly skilled and have an "uncanny and feverish zeal for excellence when controlling traffic, especially on the safety lines."