Group visits have certainly been arranged to various Controls in the past, sometimes for outsiders to the industry, so it can be done - especially for someone who knows when to keep quiet and out of the way.
I've briefly visited the Control office of one of our TOCs on a couple of occasions in the past, and they were very busy indeed...watching Deal or No Deal!
I can speak with over 30 years experience in controls in various posts including Control Manager, Operations Manager and PSB manager I can tell you that I would be delighted to see the controllers reading the newspaper - although I'm not too sure about them watching TV though!.
It translates into meaning that the job is going well - as simple as that.
However, when the s**t hits the fan the control staff earn their money, believe me. Its no job for the faint-hearted - I know lots of people who loved it (I did myself) but a fair few who couldn't take the pressure. You really don't know what the next phone call will bring.
Its not the sort of job for everyone and I certainly wouldn't expect someone with no operational knowledge or experience to get a post in a control room be that TOC, FOC or NR. I have great respect for the controllers, it can be the easiest job in the world and in a split second become the hardest.
Calm under pressure you have to be but the main quality for me is being able to make a decision. Changing events have a nasty habit of turning a good decision or strategy into a bad one and I would never criticise a controller for making a bad decision - just for not making a decision at all and letting a situation drift.
I loved the work but I was glad to get out into retirement - its much quieter!