Air Traffic Assistant?

[dispatchguy]

I have been seeing several job postings at several ATC facilities for an air traffic assistant.

What's an Air Traffic Assistant? Can they rise up to full-blown controller?

Currently, I have seen them out west only (LAX ATCT, ZOA, ZAN), will they eventually spread nationwide...?

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

When I was in they were basic 'strip rippers'. Took the flt plan strips coming off the FIDO, put them in strip holders and took them to appropriate sectors strip bays. In the Tower they handled the ATIS usually.
Atlpilot may have some more current info.

 

[atl pilot]

Generally speaking, ATAs do not progress into controller slots, in fact it used to go the other way. If they really liked you, but you were a training failure, they gave you an ATA job.
Back in the middle 1990s the FAA reduction-in-workforced these positions aways and got rid of the folks who did them. I would STRONGLY recommend to stay away from ATA jobs - they have no progressional value. Just apply for the controller slots.

 

[dispatchguy]

Well, I'm 41 (too old for ATC), and with some meds I am on, I cant get a medical.

Hence dispatcher. Plus, since they are currently only out west; I'm out of that anyway. Now, put an ATA in ORD ATCT and we can talk