Getting Started in ATC?

[wxman13]

As I look past graduation from college, I am looking into several options for what to do next. One is to pursue the necessary training to become an air traffic controller. This has been a latent fantasy of mine for a while, but after visiting our local TRACON and tower yesterday (Chinook Approach/Tri-Cities Tower) my interest has been heightened. I heard mixed things, about combatting boredom in dark, warm, humming radar rooms, but also about the rush of effectively working a busy sector. And working in the tower cab also looks like it could be fun, though I'm aware that there can be long stretches of nothing. I'd appreciate candid responses from any past/current controllers out there. Towers and TRACONS hold the most appeal for me as I think about it now, but anything could happen. Do the pluses of the job outweigh the minuses? Where would you suggest I go for training? I've heard mixed reports in recent months about whether or not he FAA's place in OKC is running these days, versus doing the program at UND (i think...?).

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Well, if you get hired your going to goto a ARTCC. I have a feeling all the new hires in the next year plus will be all in centers.

Have fun in one of those.

MK

 

[pilotman2105]

Atc

http://www.atccti.com/

That's a good place to start. The hiring situation is nothing but a complete cluster f***. Hiring may start next year or the FAA may just punt until the next president is elected.

 

[KPTPK]

wxman13,

I did the ATC program along with my flight training at UND. The ATC course is exciting and very educational. As for UND. You'll be stuck in the aviation environment anywhere you go in that town. Look at the Dorky Pilot Series Threads....they explain UND to a T. I graduated in Dec of 03. I'm still waiting for for a call from the FAA. If you need anymore info on who to contact there, PM me

 

[minitour]

so if one were to enroll at say Beaver with Commercial Single/Multi Land Instrument ratings...would they be able to skip the courses that pertain to getting your ratings or do you still need to take them?

It seems like 2 years of school is kind of short for ATC guys...seems like you ATCers do more work than they can cram into 2 years of school...am I missing something?

How long would it take me if I decided to go that route? Is it still possible (22y/o w/ current 2nd class med)?

How does ATC relate to flying? stress/easier/harder/boring/exciting/etc?

Thanks

-mini

 

[Ravengirl]

It seems like 2 years of school is kind of short for ATC guys...seems like you ATCers do more work than they can cram into 2 years of school...am I missing something?

How long would it take me if I decided to go that route? Is it still possible (22y/o w/ current 2nd class med)?

How does ATC relate to flying? stress/easier/harder/boring/exciting/etc?

Thanks

-mini

There are two year and four year schools- thirteen to choose from, in all:

Purdue University (Indiana)
Embry-Riddle University (Florida)
Dowling College (New York)
University of North Dakota (North Dakota)
Mt San Antonio College (California)
Hampton University (Virginia)
Middle Tennessee State University (Tennessee)
College of Aeronautics (New York)
Miami-Dade Community College (Florida)
Inter American University (Puerto Rico)
University of Alaska (Alaska)
Beaver County Community College (Pennsylvania)
Daniel Webster College (New Hampshire)

It is still very much possible, in fact you have all the way up until you're about to turn 31 to be hired. But now is as good a time as any to get into school, because nothing is moving right now anyhow!

Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information on this. I went through one of these programs...and now I get to wait...and wait...and wait

Stephanie

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

As for CTI's, the Gov gave the boot to many of them. As for Riddle and Beaver etc....good luck getting accepted to their CTI programs, they are backed up. Thank god I got into it a few years ago. I was the second to last class to go through the academy before the doors were shut.

 

[CUEBOAT]

As for CTI's, the Gov gave the boot to many of them.

Can you explain this? I am plannning on completeing the CTI at College of Aeronautics. I havnt heard anything along the sort.

 

[wxman13]

So, if I understand things correctly, you can still go through CTI programs and get qualified, but the FAA is not hiring (much) right now so there is no telling how long anyone would have to wait before getting an interview?

This seems a little counter-intuitive considering the alleged ATC shortage with mandatory retirements looming for many in the next few years. Am I missing something? Or is it more the government/FAA not wanting to bite the bullet and step up hiring?

Peter

 

[350DRIVER]

From what I have heard and seen it is a combination of the gov't and faa not accepting that a shortage is currently in place that will only get worse in both the near and distant future. I would only expect and anticipate that hiring will indeed get underway sometime in the near future. How long?. That is anyone's guess but I would think sometime after Jan.1 of 05. I think all movement is from within right now and no classes are currently underway or even planned out in OKC. If you are deadset on pursuing this as a career then this may be the time to atleast start the training since by the time you have completed it hiring should be underway. I am pretty sure that the majority of the programs are still running or so I have heard through the grapevine.. I know a few who have completed the required training and they are now just sitting around waiting on that call that may come next week or next year, seems something of a gamble if you ask me.

I guess it comes down to personal preference(s) but the money, benefits, etc, seem to be there for these folks from day 1 and will only increase over time. Compare this to that of a new hire regional first officer and I think a few may be a little turned on by the thought of a career in this field.

3 5 0

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Can you explain this? I am plannning on completeing the CTI at College of Aeronautics. I havnt heard anything along the sort.

Yeah, the FAA closed the door on alot of the CTI schools. Rumor has it they want to shut down OKC as well, use the existing CTI's and then actually do the meat and potatos training when you get to your facility.

Another problem with the FAA hiring is that now the Bush is back in, more then likely the lower level twrs will get contracted. Natca called our tour last week to tell us we were in trouble, and our manager had out the contract binder last week so I have a feeling its coming soon. If so, then all the current tower controllers whos facilties are getting contracted will more then likely if the FAA is smart is staff them in larger towers. Word also has it they they may get sent off to ARTCC's but if they did that then the FAA is destine for failure. Tower controllers have a completly different job then TRAC's and ARTCC. You take some of the 35-40 year old controllers and try and check them out in a center, well, more then likely they will wash out. Im 26 so I would probably make the transistion fairly easy but in all honesty would rather be in a TRACON or a busy level 10-12 tower. LAX or SFO here I come!!!!

 

[CUEBOAT]

Thanks for the info, I guess i 'll just complete the CTI and be a pilot until i get called. If i'm stuck at some crappy regional i'll jump ship. if I never get called theres nothing I can do about. One of my teachers for the CTI is the east coast managers of all towers, he claims hiring will reusme in 05. who knows?

Don't they already do the meat and potatoes traing when you get to your facility?

 

[JediNein]

If you really want to be a controller, keep your eyes constantly moving to the various web sites for the facilities and in touch with the controllers.

ZOA had a huge hiring fair last year that I missed by not being able to get to Oakland in the 4 hours left of their job fair. According to the IT tech, it was only announced on the FAA region's website for one week before the fair, and yes, potential controllers were hired off the streets, no CTI or degree required.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[ATCER]

Ok fellas... I'll try and add some info. Sorry I haven't been on the board much, since I bought GTA San Andreas for my PS2 I have gotten NOTHING done... LOL. Since I smashed the controller last night I figured I would check out the web...

There are numerous reasons for the current freeze, the whole ATO transition is one of them. This has been a major project for the agency and there have been a lot of problems. The FSS's are being privatized, part of the agency's "plan" is to flow many of these people into other facilites. Same thing with the slower towers, a major fight is brewing about privatizing many of them and flowing those people in the bigger facilites. Natca's contract is just about up and both sides are getting ready to brawl, $$$ has become a major issue in the agency. Many departments have had their budgets slashed or even taken away to cover controller salaries. Bush is not friendly towards the federal workforce, and has been especially rough on the controllers. Don't forget that the last 2 years the FAA has not asked for one single dollar to hire anyone, as far as I last checked he has not signed this years bill which does have $$$ for hiring, but that was added by congress, not asked for by the FAA. It seems they are plugging major problems with some new hires (at ZNY we got 8 MARC students back in August) and we have received about 3-4 transfers. The 8 new guys were to help with staffing while oceanic is training on their new system (Ocean 21, AKA ~> ATOP).

What does all this mean ? My $.02 is that if you're 30, 31 yo then you might not make it in, it could be tough. If you are younger and can ride out 2-3 years I think things will improve. The retiring wave is already starting and in my building 2006 is gonna be ugly, a lot of people are leaving, they are already making plans. By then the ATO will be running a lot better, their should be a new contract and the fight about privatization might even be worked out. Keep in mind you are talking about an extremely poorly run Gov't agency... do not try and rationaize anything they do... and I'm not joking about that, the things I see on a day to day basis still surprise me. If you enjoy aviation ATC is a great place to work, I think it is still worth making a try for it.

Hey CUEBOAT ... you go to COA by LGA ? The teacher you mentioned, are his intials J.M. ??? (no names on the board) If so I know who you refer to... he is a great guy, I actually ran into him yesterday at AEA. PM me when you get a chance.

 

[atcloser]

i've heard the FAA eastern region (which is now in the southern region) called some people up and asked them were they wanted to go. my friend, who graduated from Beaver with me 2 1/2 years ago still isnt hired, but he got a call from the FAA asking him if he would rather go to a center or a terminal (tracon or tower). they also asked him where he wanted to go in the region. apparently, the FAA told him not to expect anything until at least January. dont know what thats all about...

to answer the original post about is it worth it? yes, but with a caveat. training to be an ATC is not fun. CTI is not bad, OKC is a joke, but depending where you go, training will consume your life, thoughts, and wellbeing until you finish. i graduated from BVI and certified in ny tracon, but it was not easy. its like boot camp but for 1-2 years, everyday, 8 hours a day. thats all i will say. once you certify, its ok..the money is good, and its a fun job. but training is not for the faint of heart, to put it mildly. you'll be a whole new person if/when you make it through. oh, and you should enjoy working weekends, holidays, overtime, nights, early mornings, midnights...i believe i will be working new years eve midnight shift for the next 10 years until someone lower than me comes in an certifies. other than that, its a great job.