Air Traffic Control career route

W

willrigdon1

New Member
I'm currently deployed to Iraq on my second tour. I can't deal with anymore deployments so I'm getting out next September. My cousin is an air traffic controller in Dayton, Ohio. He was a controller in the Air Force for ten years then joined the FAA shortly after getting out of the service. He's been an air traffic controller in the FAA for about ten years now and he was gotten me interested in the field. I didn't know much about the job so I ordered a book called Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control. I've been reading quite a bit and I'm becoming very interested in being an Air Traffic Controller. Naturally the next step was to do some research online and I stumbled across this fantastic forum. I've skimmed through but there doesn't seem to be a thread on anyone's exact process. Like where do I find information on PUBNAT, do I have to go to CTI certified school being applying, what are some good point of contacts if I'm interested in talking to someone, what's the best route for me to get into this career field? If anyone could give me a summarized step by step process that would be most helpful and greatly appreciated. Also note that I am not in an aviation military occupation and I won't be out of the service till September 2010. I want to have as much information as I can before I get out of the service. Thank you for your time.
 
I did a search and this is what I found: I think swinte00 put it best

swinte00 said:
Forgot to add:

After AT-SAT you get a geographic preference email (at least, this is the way it has gone in the past. There has been speculation that this is changing, but for now, we'll assume that things are going the way they have in the past.) where you will choose two states and whether you want Terminal, En-Route, or both.

**Everything after the AT-SAT is done via email. Your AT-SAT score is published on ASAP, but after the score is posted, you're finished with ASAP unless you have an address change, etc.**

Panels meet and decide if you get selected. If selected for a position, you get an email inviting you to a PEPC or to go the traditional route and do your interview and other clearances separately.

From there, you get your TOL and you wait...wait...wait... until the powers-that-be at the ATO decide that you are fortunate to get a class date and FOL.

You go to the academy.

You complete academy training.

You report to your assigned facility for OJT.

You train until you reach CPC status or you wash out.

You retire.

You die.

The end.
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:panic:
 
You go to the academy.

You complete academy training.

You report to your assigned facility for OJT.

You train until you reach CPC status or you wash out.

You retire.

You die.

The end.
Click to expand...

ROFL! Essentially...that's it!
 
Thank you so much for your help. another question though, the faa website says that you must have a degree from one of the CTI certified schools, is that ture
 
willrigdon1 said:
I'm currently deployed to Iraq on my second tour. I can't deal with anymore deployments so I'm getting out next September. My cousin is an air traffic controller in Dayton, Ohio. He was a controller in the Air Force for ten years then joined the FAA shortly after getting out of the service. He's been an air traffic controller in the FAA for about ten years now and he was gotten me interested in the field. I didn't know much about the job so I ordered a book called Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control. I've been reading quite a bit and I'm becoming very interested in being an Air Traffic Controller. Naturally the next step was to do some research online and I stumbled across this fantastic forum. I've skimmed through but there doesn't seem to be a thread on anyone's exact process. Like where do I find information on PUBNAT, do I have to go to CTI certified school being applying, what are some good point of contacts if I'm interested in talking to someone, what's the best route for me to get into this career field? If anyone could give me a summarized step by step process that would be most helpful and greatly appreciated. Also note that I am not in an aviation military occupation and I won't be out of the service till September 2010. I want to have as much information as I can before I get out of the service. Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...

You do not need to goto a CTI program to apply to a PUBNAT but you do have to wait until you are on terminal leave to apply. The process takes a while, so you might want to have another job lined up after you get out so you have something to hold you over for the year and a half or so that you are in the application process. You can find the job listings (announcements) if you follow the job link on www.faa.gov it will take you to the ASAP website where you can see what is listed. There is no PUBNAT listed right now, but rumor has it one will be listed in July. They are sometimes only listed for a few days, so check it often or check this forum and I'm sure someone will start a new thread when one comes out. you are eligible to apply under a VRA announcement but I wouldn't even bother since you don't have any ATC experience in the military let alone an aviation MOS. good news is that you get at least 5 VRA points for being a veteran on the PUBNAT when it comes out.
 
If you apply PUBNAT you don't need to go to CTI school. The process is kinda long, you can get an idea by the signatures on the bottom of peoples posts. From application (the next is rumored to be the beginning of July) to FOL (final offer letter) is averaging 8-16 months. Some people are longer, some shorter. There is also an age cut off, you have to have your TOL (tentative offer letter) by your 31st birthday. Also there are rumors that the FAA isn't going to be doing very many more PUBNATs. So you'll have to decide if you'll be able to take the AT-SAT if you apply to the next PUBNAT or if you want to gamble and wait til you're out of the armed forces.

Hope that helped. Thanks for serving. =) good luck, the FAA would be lucky to have any former member of the military!!
 
willrigdon1 said:
Thank you so much for your help. another question though, the faa website says that you must have a degree from one of the CTI certified schools, is that ture
Click to expand...
You don't HAVE to have a degree, but you do have to have college credits combined with work experience, or just work experience alone. Being prior military, that will count well enough for you.

A year ago I would have told just about anyone that they're crazy for thinking about the CTI route, but now since there are a million rumors going around that there aren't many more PUBNAT announcements after the two coming up that someone else posted about, I'd strongly consider CTI if you

1) Have the time to spend a year or three in school to get a CTI degree

2) Have the definite desire to be an ATC

3) Have the money or other financial routes to pay for a CTI degree.

4) Are willing to take the risk of NOT getting hired by the FAA just because you have a CTI degree.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!
 
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