ATC Job?

[flynearful]

I know what it takes to be an ATC.
But I do not know what the benifits include.

Is an ATC job pay better in the Short run and/ or long run compared to flying for an airline.

If your an ATC do you get flight benifits?

How much pay does an ATC start out at? How fast does it grow?

How much is overtime and shift differential pay?

If one gets hired as an ATC in thier early 20s and they are an atc for 5 years and they decide to leave the ATC job can they get another ATC job back say when they are 35? (after they are 31)


Thanks

 

[2000flyer]

flynearful,

There are some good websites out there that have the answers to many of your questions. As far as pay, you'll have to consult the government website on GS level pay. I believe pay varies with location/position as well. I know there is an "ATC'er" on this board. Hopefully he'll pick up on the rest of your questions.

ATC KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Air Traffic Cafe

Regards,
2000Flyer

 

[de727ups]

ATC

"Is an ATC job pay better in the Short run and/ or long run compared to flying for an airline."

Not in my case. I have a friend who works at SEA tower and makes over six figures but he works more than I do.

"If your an ATC do you get flight benifits?"

No...they used to get very limited familiarization flight passes but I believe that program ended after 9/11.

I left flying to do the ATC thing back in the mid-80's. The guys I worked with highly encouraged me to get back into flying and I did, which turned out to be a great decision. The money is good, if you work at a large terminal facility or center, but you work more days than most pilots. The part I hated was the shift work. You do two morning shows, two afternoon shows, and a mid shift. That's your life until you retire. In my opinion, ATC would be a great career but I'd rather be doing what I'm doing now. If one is totally striking out with flying jobs and want's to go the ATC route for a while tell things pick up...I'd say that's not a bad idea. I'd have the CFI and try to fly on the side as much as possible. It's easy to get sucked into the initial money and security of an ATC job and then not ever be able to take the step back into flying. I'd bet most that go that route stick with it. I think you can retire at 20 years, too, so you could try flying as a second career in your late 40's if you wanted.

 

[ATCER]

Hey flynearful... I just stumbled on this thread... I sometimes don't get on this site for a few days.

Most of the info already posted is right on but I will try and add a few things. As Gov't employees we get the same benefits as far as other Gov't workers. Health, Life insurance, leave, and most of all... job security.

As for pay we are not on the GS pay scale. We are on the ATC pay scale which is based on facility rating. The busier or more complex a facility is the higher the rating... 12 is currently the highest rating. Salary can vary due to a number of things including night differential, Sunday pay, holiday, and overtime. Many facilites also get CIP (controller incentive pay) and locality pay. All of these things can add up to 30K - 40K in a year. As for starting pay it varies but figure initially going through OKC you'll make about 40K and how fast it grows depends on where you work... that is a hard one to pin down.

As for a better job in the long or short run it all depends on the person. I enjoyed flying and did a little charter flying before the FAA hired me... I do not see myself going back to flying though. ATC is a great job but like anything it's all what you make of it.

As for flight benefits we lost them after 9/11 ... it all has to do with ID's we are told... BUT ... they were trying to kill that program long before 9/11.

Hope I helped... if you need any more info let me know.

Good Luck !