Raymond R. Johnson

Air traffic is at record levels the world over. Miami International is running at full capacity. So stressful is a rather understated way to describe the job of guiding thousands of planes filled with hundreds of thousands of lives. And directing those who do all the directing adds another level of intensity. But that's what Raymond R. Johnson does as operations manager at Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center. He has direct supervision of seven First Line air-traffic-control supervisors, who in turn supervise fifty-five air-traffic controllers. Johnson also is responsible for the daily shift operation of the entire Air Traffic Control Facility.

The best ways he has found to decompress from stress and chill out in Miami:

Out of the home: "Each day my wife and I Rollerblade six to twelve miles, depending on the weather. We use this quality time not only for exercise but to talk about what went on during our busy day. Boating, fishing, and diving around Miami and the Keys also take up a lot of my free time.

"We like to take advantage of all the sporting events as well as theaters available in South Florida. There are so many sporting and cultural events in the local area it's hard to attend all that we would like. There are also so many fine restaurants and night spots, it's hard to narrow them down to just a few, but some of our favorites are the Chart House, Joe's Stone Crab, Los Ranchos, Shula's, and the Cheesecake Factory.

"We try to take at least one, preferably two, seven-day cruises to the Caribbean each year. Now that is relaxing."

In the home: "We set aside one night a week, usually a Wednesday, as family night to have dinner and catch up on our lives. I also enjoy having a barbecue and cocktails with family and friends.

"My favorite TV programs are The X-Files and Ally McBeal."

On top of all that: "In my spare time I am the owner and operator of a small insulation company. These are just a few of the things that help me relax from my stressful job."