Air Traffic Controller Shortgage ??

Malko

Malko

Why…..? It’s so tiring. 🤙
Staff member
So today I am reading an article from the Honolulu paper talking about a ATC shortage of controllers at HNL and across the nation.
Air Traffic Control Shortgage

Out of curosity I then go to a look up a school located at my home field, KFCM, that has an ATC program and see they have ended their program due to lack of funding from Congress. Is there a shortgage out there? What are others seeing across the nation?

What Gives ???
 
I read somewhere that they aren't taking any new controllers until 2006.

I believe I've heard that they are short people, but they aren't hiring either.
 
I wouldn't mind working ATC as long as they put me in tower and not radar.
 
There is no doubt the chance of a controller shortage as a large percentage of controllers are coming up either for mandatory retirement or retirement eligibility.

The only thing that will prevent it is deft bureaucratic handling of the situration, which is a contradiction in itself.

The colleges that are offering air traffic management courses are complaining that the government won't use them as a resource and take advantage of their already trained graduates. Sounds about right.

The only reason the system has worked over many decades is that controllers are very dedicated and talented people. The bureaucracy mistakes this for competence on their part. It may bite them.

Dave
 
[ QUOTE ]

The colleges that are offering air traffic management courses are complaining that the government won't use them as a resource and take advantage of their already trained graduates.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't those 12 or so colleges that take part in the CTI (controller training initiative) which is approved by the FAA, basically substitute for the primary training for controllers. I believe graduates are sent to the FAA training center in Oklahoma City for advanced stuff.

Did I mistrue your comment? I think you might mean something else than what I read.

Mike McM
 
I saw on the news that PHL is one of the most undermanned ATC airports in the nation. Ironically though, it also said that they were not hiring any new ones in the near future, although they are "working on the problem." It also mentioned how several controllers are undergoing stress relief counseling.
 
[ QUOTE ]
.....The only thing that will prevent it is deft bureaucratic handling of the situration, which is a contradiction in itself.

....The only reason the system has worked over many decades is that controllers are very dedicated and talented people. The bureaucracy mistakes this for competence on their part. It may bite them.

Dave

[/ QUOTE ]
Two rather witty (and very true) statements in one post!
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't those 12 or so colleges that take part in the CTI (controller training initiative) which is approved by the FAA, basically substitute for the primary training for controllers. I believe graduates are sent to the FAA training center in Oklahoma City for advanced stuff.

Did I mistrue your comment? I think you might mean something else than what I read.

Mike McM

[/ QUOTE ]

Well not according to a recent artice I read. One of the big schools in Florida (ERAU I think, but not sure) was complaining very bitterly that the government was not drawing from their graduates, but rather held an open hiring process and trained everyone from scratch.

One ATL center controller that I know and respect says there is a big train wreck coming unless the FAA wakes up.

Dave
 
[ QUOTE ]
I read somewhere that they aren't taking any new controllers until 2006.

I believe I've heard that they are short people, but they aren't hiring either.

[/ QUOTE ]

Believe it or not there was actually an ad for air traffic control trainees in the career section of the Kansas City Star on Sunday.

Sarah
 
[ QUOTE ]
Believe it or not there was actually an ad for air traffic control trainees in the career section of the Kansas City Star on Sunday.

Sarah

[/ QUOTE ]

And did you apply?
grin.gif
 
Not to long ago I heard on television that they needed another 1,000 control tower workers. I think it was an advertisement.

Josh
 
[ QUOTE ]
Believe it or not there was actually an ad for air traffic control trainees in the career section of the Kansas City Star on Sunday.


[/ QUOTE ]

Did it say "Department of Defense"
grin.gif
That dang military trying to be sneaky again.
 
check out this info. web page

The FAA is currently in a hiring freeze because of budget cuts. However, their is a rumer that they will are starting to do some hiring soon. The only way to become an FAA controller other than the military is to go through they CTI program. They closed the MARC program in Minniapolis. So all new controllers will come from the military or one of the 12 CTI schools.
 
I also believe controllers at major facilities make a good living. When got a tour of Cleveland Center by a personal friend who works there, he told me that a third year controller can make over 95,000 shells.

He also told me that Cleveland maxes their salary out around 130k (can't make more than what your senator makes), but then add in the Cost of Living Expenses and you are looking at a salary of approximatly 140k. Definatly not a bad living at all.

I'm considering the field as an alternative to my flight training in college.

Mike McM
 
[ QUOTE ]
Did it say "Department of Defense" That dang military trying to be sneaky again.


[/ QUOTE ]

You know, it only listed an 800 # to call.
 
[ QUOTE ]
So all new controllers will come from the military or one of the 12 CTI schools.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ohh!!! I'm a CTI guy, but will be pretty close to their age limit after I graduate...
mad.gif
 
I heard they are considering raising the mandatory retirement age a couple years to help combat the upcoming shortage. Also, last I heard they are expecting some new hiring in October.
 
I'm in the cue to be hired by the FAA. Graduated from Purdue's CTI program in May. Just waiting on my phone call.

I'm going to call them shortly to see what the deal is and I'll let you folks know what I get!
 
I shoulda pursued that when I was still young enough; too old now. Funny how the only organization free to discriminate on the basis of age is the federal government.
frown.gif
The great thing about being a controller while earning your pilot ratings is that virtually all your flight training expenses can be legally written off on your taxes as a career enhancement.
 
[ QUOTE ]
\The great thing about being a controller while earning your pilot ratings is that virtually all your flight training expenses can be legally written off on your taxes as a career enhancement.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow!!

What the hell am I doing getting my ratings now...i should wait until after college lol. Are there airline pilots that were once controllers and made the switch?

Mike McM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top