ATC or Pilot Job?

[RichardRambone]

Im currently a ferry pilot that gets some decent time, maybe 25-30 hours a month in a wide plethra of planes, all pistons. The bad part is I also clean them and do other office bs. I have read constant threads on the future and current state of the industry. Im starting to get tired of doing this crud for 19,000/year and am horribly pessimisstic about my oppurtunities once I build more time. I am starting to consider a career change over to ATC. Pay and benefits are MUCH better and from what I understand there hopefully will be a big hiring push in the next year or so. The thing is though is I love to fly. The dream of being even a regional Capt is enticing. But the reality of a pilots life and pay is setting in and I wonder if I cant do better. I have talked to several ATCers and they enjoy there jobs and they say driving in rush hour traffic is more stressful (They worked at KC Center). My question is are any of you ever been in or currently in this situation and what did you do? I would like to be a center controller as I understand its the best pay and maybe a more laid back job. I am interested in Mt San Antonio's CTI program. Anyone been through there?? Help a young pilot out.

 

[FN FAL]

Im starting to get tired of doing this crud for 19,000/year and am horribly pessimisstic about my oppurtunities once I build more time.

What's your baggage? You are getting paid $55.56 a flight hour, you won't get that working at a reginal.

 

[RichardRambone]

I get 11/hour to clean airplanes, office work, and ferry airplanes. Getting paid 55.56 a flight hour is an extremely optimistic way of looking at it.

 

[psysicx]

Fly in the guard/reserves and do ATC.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Wow, this is like the 3rd time in a week this question has been asked. Personally, I have a fascination for ATC that is just as strong as my fascination with flying, so I know if I did it I would be happy with it. If you're not really that interested in the job, but only doing it for good pay and benefits....I dunno. Its a tough call.

 

[RichardRambone]

Problem is, I dont really know what a daily work day is like and if Id fit in as an ATC. I visited a center once and the guy threw so much technical jarble and talked nonstop for 2 hours straight that I lost interest. I didnt get a very good idea of what goes on. Hell I dont know what to do. If I gotta work, may as well make bank and buy my own plane. Then again Id kinda be giving up the dream to be a airline pilot. Thats life I guess.

 

[FN FAL]

Problem is, I dont really know what a daily work day is like and if Id fit in as an ATC. I visited a center once and the guy threw so much technical jarble and talked nonstop for 2 hours straight that I lost interest. I didnt get a very good idea of what goes on. Hell I dont know what to do. If I gotta work, may as well make bank and buy my own plane. Then again Id kinda be giving up the dream to be a airline pilot. Thats life I guess.

Be an ATC'er and dream of being an airline pilot...then you wouldn't be giving up the dream. It's all in how you put the spin on it.

I had a dream once...I wanted to be sexy model for the Victoria Secret catalogs, but it was PFT. Then I saw an advertisement for Shields Aviation Academy. The 737 taking off into the sunset on the cover of the ad, informed me that I had places to go, people to do and things to wear when I got there.

I went to see the admissions counselor at Shields and she was quite blunt with me. She told me, not only was I too ugly to be a model, but lots of airline pilots had the same dream as me. So I handed her $19,500.00 and the rest is history.

 

[ISaidRightTurns]

Not to say its stressful or difficult. But you need a better reason than money for this life. At least the first few years are hard.

 

[RichardRambone]

If I was doing anything for the money it wouldnt be a pilot right now. Im just curious as to which is a more fullfilling career for a guy thats nervous about his future as a pilot.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

If I was doing anything for the money it wouldnt be a pilot right now. Im just curious as to which is a more fullfilling career for a guy thats nervous about his future as a pilot.

If you get nervous about anything, ATC is probably not the career for you.

Seriously though, its a tough call...do whatever you have more interest in if you want to be "fullfilled".

 

[121_Py-Lut]

...give it all up...go be a rockstar...

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

I would like to be a center controller as I understand its the best pay and maybe a more laid back job

You don't want to work at an ARTCC. Hey go call ZOA and ask for a job. They are so understaffed right now they are running manditory 6 day work weeks. You don't want to work at a center trust me!!!! Thank heavens I wasnt required too....You want a Tracon!

 

[ISaidRightTurns]

Chances are, the region will tell you where to go, and it will probably be a center. Depending on the region of course.

All the talk on here lately about pilots becoming controllers. I made the leap for my own personal reasons; with that said, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Ever.

Think long and hard before choosing this road. Come visit ZTL on a thursday night. See what 11000 airplanes looks like.

 

[414Flyer]

At least if you ATC, you can afford to buy a plane, like a Cub, and get back to what flying really is. If I was ATC and left each shift frazzled, could drive to the airport, fly the Cub around, and go to sleep each day happy