Working for atc

[dsim80]

just wondering what it takes to get a job working for atc I have checked out the website and requirements but I was wondering about real world requirements I dont have a four year degree but I have been a pilot in the 135 world for the last five years or so and I am 28
Just wondering?

 

[GIVDrvr]

just wondering what it takes to get a job working for atc I have checked out the website and requirements but I was wondering about real world requirements I dont have a four year degree but I have been a pilot in the 135 world for the last five years or so and I am 28
Just wondering?

You are as qualified if not more so than 90% of the public hires entering the ATC workforce. Depending upon what facility and what locality are you hired into you could be making 100K+ within 2 yrs. PM if you have further questions.

 

[BillJBrake]

don't exaggerate the money though.

sadly, the money isn't good in ATC anymore. while there are a few level 12s that with locality you can make over $100k, it's not much over (sfo i think has the highest locality) and at a level 12 there, you'd be at $106k. not exactly a great income.

sadly, when the new contract came out in '06 the faa really fvcked over the controllers and killed the pay, making it a very underpaid job.

 

[GIVDrvr]

While I completely concur with your assessment of the FAAs unilateral pay actions I am not sure that 100k in two years is a bad deal by any measure. The ATC 12 pay band in most level 12 runs around 98k to 137k plus 10 federal holidays at 1.5 base rate and night differential and Sunday premium pay and overtime. This could add another 10-20k to your W2. The opportunities to top this in aviation are somewhat scarce not to mention the job security.

 

[BillJBrake]

GIV, I agree it's not terrible, but it's not great. $100k doesn't go real far these days, it's not exactly a great income. Additionally, one can't bank on overtime money as facilities seem to be doing everything they can lately to minimize overtime, and will prefer to just short-staff.

 

[GIVDrvr]

Ok valid points and the FAA staffing plan has been a 25 year loser no doubt and the B scale needs to go away. . But if I live in Northern California and I accept a position at Norcal Tracon I can reasonably expect to checkout in 2 yrs (if I make it) and I can make 115K without OT that year and 140k within 5yrs. What is my other option for that pay gradient in aviation?

 

[dsim80]

I have been flying a hawker for two years now with a promising future making 50+k a year that is until I got laid off now I have to start all over so in my mind 100k does not sound too bad not to mention the job security dont get me wrong I love to fly airplanes but I have been laid off twice in the last 6 years and I would like to settle down someday.
So does anyone know when the faa is hiring any more atc trainees??

 

[eelb53]

GIV, I agree it's not terrible, but it's not great. $100k doesn't go real far these days, it's not exactly a great income. Additionally, one can't bank on overtime money as facilities seem to be doing everything they can lately to minimize overtime, and will prefer to just short-staff.

Don't know what universe you're living in, but to most Americans, $100K a year is still alot of money. Yes, even for aviation professionals.

 

[atrflier]

Is there any way 36 year old can get into the game with no prior controller experience, but an aviation background?

 

[BillJBrake]

GIV driver, where do you see $140k within 5 years? No one is making $140k within 5 years, getting hired today.

 

[BillJBrake]

atrflier, As far as I know, you need to be under 31 to become a controller.

dsim80, I've heard the FAA is hiring lots of controllers these days. Have you checked their website? Not sure if they hire off the street or if you have to go to one of the schools/military experience.

eelb53, $100k is not bad money, don't get me wrong, but it's not exactly anywhere more than average middle class. I think too many people see it as "six figures". $100k in 1990 might've been some coin, but with the cost of things these days, it's not that great, in my opinion. You're better off going for that gulfstream position that'll pay $200k/yr for 10day/mo of work.

 

[GIVDrvr]

Typical 2009 OSI/SCI/locality increase was around 4.9%. Four more of those and your damn close...granted there are some assumptions there but its hardly the pie-in-sky you make it sound. Additionally if NATCA gets a contract back which it will under a LaHood/Garvey/Babbit FAA it could well be higher.
BTW where do you apply for those 200K Gulfstream
jobs? Less than 5% of positions if that.

 

[BillJBrake]

don't you fly Gulfstreams? you tell me. the people I know flying them (I don't fly a gulfstream, I'd love to) make that kind of $.

I wouldn't be so sure about a contract for the NATCA guys. Though Babbit was a former union boss (ALPA), from what I've read, he's drank a large glass of the kool-aid and is rather anti labor. He was against a lot of the 2006 stuff when the controllers had their contract imposed on them, and I guess NATCA isn't a fan of him, at all.

I'm not saying that being a controller looks like a bad job, but too many people say it's a big $ easy job that's not true. Controllers work their A55es off, and they really don't make much $ for 2009.

Also, as far as I know, that average 4.9% increase that folks got in the FAA this year was VERY high, and way above average compared to other years, apparently.

 

[satpak77]

you guys have a lineboy giving career advice on ATC careers?

only at FI.com

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Is there any way 36 year old can get into the game with no prior controller experience, but an aviation background?

FAA rule....if you aren't hired by your 30th birthday, the game is over.

 

[BillJBrake]

satpak, you're right...what do I know? all my advice/info on here is pretty worthless, i'm sure.

 

[Iceman21]

Does anyone who is working ATC right now when the FAA will be taking public non-military experience applications?

My application is patiently waiting to be submitted to them.

 

[BillJBrake]

AFAIK the FAA has been hiring "off the street" people for the past couple years.

 

[GIVDrvr]

If I have no prior air traffic control experience and want to be selected, what must I do?

• Be a United States citizen
• In most cases, not have reached age 31
• Pass a medical examination
• Pass a security investigation
• Have three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, or some combination of the two
• Achieve a score of at least 70 on the FAA pre-employment test
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Complete an interview

How to Apply
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...hr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/how_to_apply/

 

[bcp7]

There are some jobs where you do not have to meet the age requirement. Look for Air Traffic Assistant positions. These mostly have to do with filing flight plans, modifying filed flight plans as necessary ie delays, equip swaps, alt changes and things like that.

I have a friend who was hired late last year and works in Clearance Delivery at LAX Center. She's about 35, and has about 10 years experience as an aircraft dispatcher.

The last time I looked there were 3 positions in Las Vegas and 1 in MSP. They were listed as temp positions not to exceed 5 years, but it would be a foot in the door.