With the recent spike in oil prices and the many reductions in capacity and cutbacks, it has become increasingly difficult for all of us in the aviation world. Right now, I am scheduled to be furloughed in the next month or two (~January) and am taking this time to explore other employment opportunities, specifically ATC.
I would like to stay in the aviation world, but would also like to have some sort of a "life" in the next few years. I have no idea where to begin and what the process is to become an Air Traffic Controller. I did look through the FAA web site a bit, but did not get much information.
So, a few questions for you guys...
1) Where do I start and what is the process?
2) How long is training?
3) Can you pick where you want to work? (Location and Tower, TRACON, etc.). For instance, how hard would it be to get Denver Tower?
4) What is the pay these days? Someone told me yesterday that pay should go up again soon?
Sorry for all the questions, but I would appreciate any help or info you guys on give me.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Let me start by saying go Donkeys!!!!
That being said, you will not be able to go from furloughed to another paycheck shortly. Unless you already went to a CTI school and got your CTI certification, you will need to apply to a PUBNAT (public hiring) most people off these are running about 8-12months before they get to OKC for training, some not even that quick. Check all ATC forums and the FAA's website for them to post a new PUBNAT, they did I believe 6-7 this last year.
OKC training for off the street hires (non-CTI) is 5 weeks of basic ATC you are required to go through even with previous aviation experience. After the 5 weeks of basics, you will be in OKC training for between 6 and 13 weeks depending on the facility you are assigned to. If you do have a CTI certificate you get to skip the 5 weeks of basics. Beyond OKC you go straight to your facility and real training begins there. Depending on where you get (particular facility and type of facility) the on the job training (OJT) ranges anywhere from 6 months to 5-7 years before you make Certified Professional Controller.
As OTS, they allow you to REQUEST 2 states you would like to work and REQUEST terminal or enroute. They are only that, REQUESTS. I have a friend who wanted Atlanta or Dallas center and was given Anchorage tower. As for Denver, there are a ton of contacts you need to get through (this is my facility of choice as well). All you can do is prove your credentials to important people and keep on it. Denver is not easy to get into at this point, but I know if you were interested in Denver Tracon, they are really hurting for people...
Obama certainly wont hurt our pay the way bush did, but in OKC you are paid $8.50/hr plus $80 per diem. Out of OKC you will be paid $33,100+ locality until you get 25% through your training, then you get a raise, then again at 50%, 75% and 100% (CPC). And obviously, the higher level facility you go to, the higher you are paid along the way and as a CPC. The minimum you get at ASE (level 5 tower) is only like 40k, the minimum you would get at ORD ATCT (level 12 tower) is around 80k...
I hope this helps and I am truly sad to hear you are getting furloughed, this is a great deal of why I went from working on my ATP to going to a CTI school for ATC... If you really enjoy flying and want to keep on that track for some time, the last I heard was that InternationalJet Corp is still taking pilots, especially those with some time under their belts. I dont think they are "based" out of APA, but I do know they have a HUGE base there. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will do my best to answer them for ya or chat with people I know to find the answer...