ATC is Hiring

[Burrito]

Sounds like you wouldn't be happy as a controller. Neither does working at PSA, better slide over to Envoy.

It isn't that I wouldn't like being a controller - I actively can't.

Dispatching kicks ass anyway. I love 4-on-4-gone, and I love the flying. PM me if you want to talk about the why's in detail though. I won't get into it on here.

 

[RetiredATLATC]

your shift is short

Maybe I'm getting too old, but 10 hour shifts are not short....especially when you do them 6 days a week every week

 

[RetiredATLATC]

Does anyone think that they will change the age requirement at some point because of these shortages? Seems a little arbitrary.

Prior military controllers now have until age 35 to be hired. Still mandatory retirement at 56.

 

[Avgirl]

Maybe I'm getting too old, but 10 hour shifts are not short....especially when you do them 6 days a week every week

You don't work 10 hours, there are many breaks. Whereas Dispatch, you are working the entire 10 hours.

 

[PHL_Approach]

You don't work 10 hours, there are many breaks. Whereas Dispatch, you are working the entire 10 hours.

Really depends on the facility, particularly the staffing. I90 TRACON is known to page people back to the radar room not long after a Controller gets to the break room. A few other facilities have easy going management/Supes. So you can get away with a 40 minute break every so often and no one bats an eye.

 

[Avgirl]

Really depends on the facility, particularly the staffing. I90 TRACON is known to page people back to the radar room not long after a Controller gets to the break room. A few other facilities have easy going management/Supes. So you can get away with a 40 minute break every so often and no one bats an eye.

Aren't you supposed to have a lot of breaks to rest your eyes and regroup?

 

[Pilot121]

If you are young enough, why not? You get paid super well, your shift is short, and you have job security. Why anyone would pass up this opportunity is beyond me.

For me, the reason I can't do ATC is because of a medical issue... so I really hope that dispatching will never require a FAA medical!

 

[RetiredATLATC]

You don't work 10 hours, there are many breaks. Whereas Dispatch, you are working the entire 10 hours.

So, as a dispatcher you don't get a single break in a 10 hour shift? That's the way I read the above comment.

Aren't you supposed to have a lot of breaks to rest your eyes and regroup?

Technically, a break after 2 hours on position, however that is overlooked continuously. A80, at least, it was a 20 min break and then back for another 2+ hours. Staffing at A80, or was when I left last yr after 30+ yrs and from what I understand is now worse, is abysmal. We were supposed to have around 110 controllers and had 65. Upwards of 65% that came to certify washed out due to complexity and volume of traffic.

On average, my last 6 or so years I worked app 750-800 hours of overtime (Mandatory overtime) a year, and in 2015 in the first 9 months I worked 584 hours of mandatory overtime.

 

[PlaneFun]

My break at my regional is when I go to the bathroom ! Or run to the microwave!

 

[Avgirl]

So, as a dispatcher you don't get a single break in a 10 hour shift? That's the way I read the above comment.



Technically, a break after 2 hours on position, however that is overlooked continuously. A80, at least, it was a 20 min break and then back for another 2+ hours. Staffing at A80, or was when I left last yr after 30+ yrs and from what I understand is now worse, is abysmal. We were supposed to have around 110 controllers and had 65. Upwards of 65% that came to certify washed out due to complexity and volume of traffic.

On average, my last 6 or so years I worked app 750-800 hours of overtime (Mandatory overtime) a year, and in 2015 in the first 9 months I worked 584 hours of mandatory overtime.

Yikes. That can't be safe all of the time. If they didn't leave people hanging so long, I think that they would be able to fill a lot more of those positions. Most dispatchers I know of are working flights nearly the entire time. You would expect ATC to have more breaks.

 

[DispatcherSam]

So, as a dispatcher you don't get a single break in a 10 hour shift? That's the way I read the above comment.

It can be like that some days

 

[Avgirl]

Just a reminder to anyone who hasn't clicked on the link...you have from August 8-15 to apply. So, hurry up and get everything together.

 

[manniax]

For me, the reason I can't do ATC is because of a medical issue... so I really hope that dispatching will never require a FAA medical!

Very doubtful they will ever require one. The FAA always seems to take about 30 years to change a regulation (I may be exaggerating slightly, but only slightly.)

 

[Burrito]

Just a reminder to anyone who hasn't clicked on the link...you have from August 8-15 to apply. So, hurry up and get everything together.

Irony, thy definition is telling a bunch of individuals employed in aviation to have their stuff together...

 

['Cap' Wilson]

The age restriction was created for a very specific reason. Mandatory retirement is age 56. To qualify for a federal pension one must put in 25 years of service with the Government. 56 - 25 = 31

Actually, age 31 was derived from studies on learning ability as humans age. The FAA likes to equate controller training to learning a foreign language, easier done (meaning better chance of passing training) in younger years.

 

[MT]

Don't get me wrong, I love dispatching, but ATC was always number 1. I'm in the same boat as Pilot121 though, damn medical requirements.

 

[PHL_Approach]

Actually, age 31 was derived from studies on learning ability as humans age. The FAA likes to equate controller training to learning a foreign language, easier done (meaning better chance of passing training) in younger years.

Got a source anywhere for that? If I was told bad info years ago I'd like to read something on it to get it corrected.

 

['Cap' Wilson]

Yes, both retirement issues and learning ability play a role. In a FAA CAMI study regarding controller trainee performance, the report Abstract states in part, "On most tests, the performance means for subjects over age 34 were significantly lower than those obtained for the younger trainees, and their attrition rate for the training course was three times that of their younger classmates." and then concludes with, "The results indicated that greater effectiveness in screening such applicants could be attained if eligibility standards were modified to include both age and aptitudes."

 

[HAYESP11]

Well, I'm a lurker who just decided to come out my shell. I just got my dispatchers certificate a few weeks ago and i'm looking for my 1st dispatching job. I have never tried ATC out but it has fascinated me. I recently got into some ATC simulators just to get a feel for it. I wouldn't mind giving ATC a shot to see what happens, but my primary concern about it is the quality of life. I found that their schedules can be very hectic because they rotate throughout the week.
Currently at this point, I am not sure if I should pursue the ATC positions or dispatch jobs. I have already put in several applications for dispatch positions and have already received 1 phone interview request so far. 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.

 

[DispatcherSam]

I can't speak for the ATC side of things but as a noob regional dispatcher your schedule won't exactly be pristine and comfortable unless you get really lucky