ATC is Hiring

HAYESP11 said:
Do any of you guys have any advice for the path I should take? In my perfect world, I would do a few years in ATC and switch the dispatch or something with the airlines.
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I would pursue both options. You won't get an FAA academy date overnight. And as previously mentioned, there's a fairly decent washout rate en route to becoming qualified as a controller. You can always start out dispatching, then switch to controlling (or vice versa.) If you find you really like dispatching, you can always turn down any offer you get from the FAA. If you didn't make it through the academy, or get tired of controlling, you could always return to dispatching.
 
Thanks for the responses. Keep in mind i'm only 23 and I have a interest in all aspects of aviation. I always admired ATC and feel I would be a great asset. I say I would do a few years (5-10) because I'm not completely sure on how severe the stress is, especially long-term stress/fatigue. If it turns out to be great for me long term, then I'd stick with it. I don't like job hopping, so I try to find out as much info as possible to make a good decision. That's why i'm here asking for information :) Again, thank you all for your input. This is a great community.
 
It really depends where you work and what you need as far as salary, quality of life, etc. There are plenty of FAA facilities that close between 9/10-midnight, so you won't have that overnight shift. Obviously, your big airports/facilities stay open 24/7. You can make a pretty damn good living and relatively stress free life in atc if you play your cards right.
 
A80TRACON said:
Good idea. I'm thinking of doing a few years as a B748 Captain once I'm done here in Iraq, then I might do a few years as a movie star.

Why waste your time? Let someone who is passionate about ATC have your slot and don't waste the FAA's time, and money.
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I think if the federal government gets of controlling ATC then the staffing wouldnt be an issue. The crap you have to go through to be a controller is rediculous in my opinion. Then again things might have changed, now I talking about 10 years ago.
 
nyk said:
I think if the federal government gets of controlling ATC then the staffing wouldnt be an issue. The crap you have to go through to be a controller is rediculous in my opinion. Then again things might have changed, now I talking about 10 years ago.
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I wouldn't be to sure about your statement about staffing will be better if the Govt gets out of the ATC business. Remember, whoever takes it from the FAA is solely in it to make money, and how do they do that but, by cutting costs in every corner possible. They don't care about fatigue, or staffing, or anything else....they care about pleasing their shareholders.

Nothing has changed in the 10 years, my last 8 years at Atlanta Approach I averaged 800 hours of overtime a year and last year, before I decided to say F it, and retire, I have already worked 650 OT hours by September.
 
A80TRACON said:
I wouldn't be to sure about your statement about staffing will be better if the Govt gets out of the ATC business. Remember, whoever takes it from the FAA is solely in it to make money, and how do they do that but, by cutting costs in every corner possible. They don't care about fatigue, or staffing, or anything else....they care about pleasing their shareholders.

Nothing has changed in the 10 years, my last 8 years at Atlanta Approach I averaged 800 hours of overtime a year and last year, before I decided to say F it, and retire, I have already worked 650 OT hours by September.
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I could see some merit for the way Canada does it, where they turn ATC in to a nonprofit corporation but there is no profit motive. However this being the FAA, I really doubt things will change substantially anytime soon. "Nothing has changed" seems to be their mantra.
 
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