regional pilot to ATC

[RiddleEagle18]

Thinking of making the same move. Does anyone know how to apply off the street??

 

[atl pilot]

My brother-in-law was also looking to make a career change without military or college ATC background. As a result, in the last month, I have made many phone calls and emails trying to find the how-to details for someone off the street. I was told that there have been NO off the street bids out for awhile, however an HR person in OKC told me that there may be some out near mid-to-end of Spring. You'll just have to follow the job advertisements on the jobs site at FAA.gov. The series # for controllers is 2152. There is a requirement to be hired by age 31. All of the folks we've gotten have been previous military controller (there have been a number of these) or a CTI (we've gotten 3).

Go look at both www.faa.gov and www.natca.net, both sites have info on the job.

Many of the new folks were getting are thrilled to be making what they're making, even though its a lot less than our original pay scale.

My hubby flies a CRJ for ASA, and I can assure you that our (ATCers) QOL is significantly better than his, its just not as great as it used to be....when we could wear jeans/shorts and sneakers, have a radio in the Tower, and go out for lunch! But I will say that I am home every night (almost, except for an occasional midshift), and can plan my life around the schedule given to me....unlike my hubby - with hard and soft days off and all sorts of crazy flying schedules. He's ALWAYS tired an worn out.

 

[pilotlbs]

Qol?

What's the typical schedule like? 5 on 2 off 8 hour days? I fly for the regionals too and have thought about it. But I really don't know much about it? Any info on QOL would really be appreciated, thanks.

 

[atl pilot]

I am married to an ASA pilot (prior to that he was with with Comair and Skyway...before furloughs - btw, they're all basically the same), and I am a controller at ATL. Trust me, even with our imposed work rules, our QOL is tenfold better than what y'all got going on.

With any job, its what you make of it. Some people will tell you ATC sux these days. The bottom line is that we don not have the freedoms that we used to have, but b/c I see daily the difference in what hubby must tolerate compred to my job, I can certainly say that I prefer ATC to being a pilot.

Before the staffing shortage, it was 8 hour days, 5 days a week. Dependent on your facility, you might have permanent days off or rotating, but you always knew your schedule about a month+ in advance. Since everyone starting to retire, I work almost consistantly 6 day work-weeks (not voluntarily as the FAA would like you to believe), and several 10-hour shifts within a pay period. The OT money is nice, but I'd rather be at home. I am always tired these days.

 

[pilotlbs]

So after the 6 days off do you get 2 off or just one? I hear they're not hiring off the street right now but its possible soon? How difficult would it be or how long to get a spot working in Denver? I guess they send you anywhere initially but I suppose if they have a shortage like they say it might be easier to get the spot you want? Thanks for the reply I appreciate all the info.

 

[atl pilot]

You only get the one. This is not like your pilot work schedules with hard and soft days. Its more like a sked that a normal perosn would work - a Monday thru Friday gig, with the exception that your Sat and Sun are most probably on some other set of days off based upon seniority (for example: we have guys who have 1989 seniority dates and the best they can hold is Monday-Tuesday as their days off). Don't forget that some facilities have rotating days off. Just depends on where you work.

Then the FAA schedules you, in current times, for your OT on one of those days you have as a weekend. Where I work it can be either, no telling which until it comes out.

Our rules are also a bit easier to manage than what y'all do:
1) Controllers cannot work 7 days in a row - you must have at least one day off.
2) We must have an 8-hour break between shifts.
3) We cannot work more than a 10-hour shift without an 8-hour break before the next shift.

And as for your other question about location, I haven't a clue. Its seems with the military controller bids (VRA), that they are having them apply by state and can be hired into any facility within the state.

 

[pilotlbs]

Awesome thanks a lot for all the information, it all helped me understand it much better!

 

[circletoland]

I'm wanting out of ATC, everyday I am starting to dread walking in the door. Honestly it is stressful, I am not sleeping normally any more.

 

[pilotlbs]

What's stressful about it? Why don't you like going to work?

 

[circletoland]

What's stressful about it? Why don't you like going to work?

Its knowing that everyday your going to get your but kicked, (atleast wile training). Going to the same place for 20 years +, I just don't think i can do it. I rather be doing something more crazy, like i was before ferrying airplanes all over the place. Its more adventurous.