Wholly cow! ATC and PAY

[J.Otto]

flyings WAY more fun!

 

[Tripower455]

wow.. I guess my info was outdated.. were all in the wrong end of the dog..

My best friend is a JFK Tracon controller for around 18 years. He makes great money, but works ALL the time (6 days a week most weeks). I wouldn't trade jobs with him for twice what he makes. Yeah, he's home every "night". He can have it. I see my kids far more than he see his.

He used to love his job, but, after the Marion Blakey "purges", he is counting the days, hours and minutes until retirement.

 

[LearLove]

ATC = gov job = no one challenges the high pay and "overnight" work rule changes because their pay comes from taxes. If ATC was to be paid by airlines and other aviation industry companies there would be aerospace industry lobbyist all over DC right now paying off the law makers.

Like others have mentioned around here this "sleeping controller" issue is a perfect example. Some controller a DCA is asleep and rules get changed overnight - Go pilots fall asleep 3 plus years ago and we (a non govt. paid job) have not seen jack yet.


watch the movie Thank You for Smoking - kind of the same thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PE0FDhm0-E&feature=related

 

[kf4amu]

They deserve every penny.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Does anyone know if that company still offers controllers disability insurance?

I knew a lot of controllers at Hampton/ATL and the game they played was faking hearing loss or nightmares about 2 years before retirement. Controllers would go out and buy new cars and a boat, then fake a medical issue hoping to defraud the disability insurer all while getting their new toys paid off.

I knew a guy who faked hearing loss and went to a controllers wife, who was an audiologist, who of course said he had hearing loss. The insurer sent him to a legit Dr who said he was full of it, so the FAA made this guy a supervisor for his last 2 years. The sad part is this guy was one of the best controllers they had.

While these controllers make big money, just as many made stupid spending decisions. A lot guys and gals in Hampton were flipping condos in Destin until many got caught with the proverbial hot potato.

I know a long time car salesman in that area who said he had a husband and wife who were controllers making a combined $280k who were in so much financial trouble, he had a hard time getting them financed on a $20k ride with $10k down. They were so far behind on their other brand's lease, out of embarrassment they asked this salesman to return it for them.

 

[MCDU]

Does the FAA have a fast track program where you can pay for your own training and then get hired as a controller?

M

 

[BoilerUP]

Does the FAA have a fast track program where you can pay for your own training and then get hired as a controller?

M

Actually, sort of...its called the CTI program.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Clr4-You numbers were almost spot on. Depending on the facility and whether or not you are TRACON or Center will decide what type of pay to expect starting off. I know guys that were 21 and placed in DFW tower and some that were placed in the Bloomington, Indiana tower. I was offered a position at Memphis Center and as a FO in a Lear the same day roughly 2 weeks out of college. Took the flying gig and havent looked back. The pay is pretty good but 220K? That might some sort of Managerial position. In 2001, the top of the controllers pay stopped around 160k. The beauty is retiring around 40 if you so choose. How many of us wouldnt mind that?!?! Hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

The beauty is retiring around 40 if you so choose. How many of us wouldnt mind that?!?! Hindsight is always 20/20.

Don't get me wrong, any pension is better than no pension, but my understanding is that the ATC pension pays on a 1.7% multiplier. I don't think many people would retire at 40 with 1/3rd pay.

 

[CorpCaptain]

This is true. Most take up a supervisory role after 15 or so years, with the pay being much higher. ATC is the highest paying position supported by the US govt that doesnt require a 4 year degree. Great gig for those of us that were young enough and smart enough to get out of the cockpit early. Combine that with the napping opportunities and movie hour at 2pm, its easy to see the immense benefits