Air Traffic Control Major

Wild_Weasel

Wild_Weasel

Well-Known Member
Hey, if I end up going to UND next year I was thinking about taking their ATC major and pursuing that career instead of commercial aviation and becoming a pilot. I couldn't find much info on it other than a basic summary and was wondering if you guys could give me a more detalied description of what it's like and also what goes on in the day of an ATC controller, such as if its true that the job is really stressful. Thanks!
 
I cant tell you because Im commercial aviation as most of the UND people on this board.
 
Hi, I'm in the ERAU atc program and can help you a bit. I'm pretty sure UND has like 7 core ATC classes, ERAU has around 6. However, upon completion of the CTI program, which you would be entering, everyone is under the same hiring standards no matter where you went to school.

Once you graduate, your school will 'recommend' you to the FAA. You have two years from your grad date to be called and place "in-process" or you are SOL. This two year clock of death is the cause of some tension because of the latest hiring freeze which is just about to end. Some CTI grads are dangerously close to 'timing out' of their two year clock.

Once you are placed 'in-process' you simply wait for a class date in OKC and after class in OKC (avg 6 weeks) you are sent out to a facility in a region of 8 or so states (soon to be a broader choice) that you chose.

While it is notoriously a very stressfull job understandingly, I've met a handful of controllers who love it. The younger crowd tends to work more than the older crowd. But I've heard that the average work week is the standard 5 day 40 hours but be prepared to work some graveyard shifts as well. Also, the pay is very good. Pay is determined by how busy your facility is, thus somebody working in the N90 (ny tracon) will be making more than the person sitting in the Hickstown, Iowa control tower. I have a friend of a friend who works in the N90 and claims to be making 150k at the age of 24. However, a good chunk of that, probably 30k is cost of living expenses because of NY, but still pretty good.

Hope this helps.
 
I am a Commercial Aviation and ATC double major (however have been more focused on the Commercial side of things lately because flying is more fun than controlling
smile.gif
). This link may help answer some questions. UND ATC Also if you have any specific questions, let me know.
 
hey, thanks for the posts, i do have one question though: if i take the atc major at UND, will i still be able to get the same ratings as i would receive if going for the commercial aviation major. Thanks.
 
hey,
i came to und as a commercial aviation major and ended up adding the atc double major and now ta atc. und has the top cti atc program in the nation with cutting edge simulators (radar lab being replaced in fall 05). the faa just announced also that they will be hiring heavily starting in the fall of this year. looks like a good profession to be in.
 
starting pay by the way depends on the facility. i just recently talked to a chicago center controller who started out there at 60k. again chicago is a level 12 facility. grand forks for example is a level 7 or 8 i believe and they get paid in the 40's starting i think.
 
furthermore about what the erau guy said, the faa got rid of their two year hiring limit but you still need to be hired by 31 i think or else youre history
 
In 2002 the median income for an Air Traffic Controller was 91,000$.

I am trying to decide between going to Alaska or North Dakota for my CTI schooling.
 
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can I take ATC 101 or intro to ATC in the fall if my 102 got postponed until spring???? are there any requirments for intro to ATC?

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I dont think there is a prereq for AVIT 103: Intro to ATC. It is seriously the easiest class you will ever take.
 
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furthermore about what the erau guy said, the faa got rid of their two year hiring limit but you still need to be hired by 31 i think or else youre history

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I believe the exception to this rule is if you are a government employee (e.g. FSS employee). Then the age limit isn't imposed and you can "transfer" from that gov't job into the ATC job. But don't quote me on that, lol.
 
About 103... Although it is one of the easiest classes, I hear they are actually making it a little more difficult... Well, more work... Even in the fall, I only had to write a 1-2 page paper on the book TRACON, and this spring my roomate had to do like a 5 pager I think... not that it's difficult, but they are trying I guess... oh and the final is still a joke...
 
I didn't even have a final in 103. We just showed up and signed a paper saying we were there and then left.
 
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