Atc vs dispatch
- Thread starter van12
- Start date
Jet_Slinger
Well-Known Member
Definitely try ATC first if you had a job offer for both at the same time... There is an age maximum to entry and it's so very difficult to even get a shot at it. If you ever get a chance at ATC, take it in a heartbeat if you really think you'd enjoy what they do. Don't do it for the money. I applied for 5 years before I was invited to take the AT-SA. Went through the FAA academy, unfortunately didn't pass by a few points but I'm happy i put my all into it. Now I can safely go back to my original back up plan of dispatch, both careers I would I loved so very much.
Just remember, it's really a crap shoot with ATC, never apply thinking you should focus on that possible job opportunity. Sometimes it takes years before they take you. And sometimes you get lucky and get it on the first try. I would continue on a path in aviation that you would enjoy, while applying to ATC in the background only as a backup.
Just remember, it's really a crap shoot with ATC, never apply thinking you should focus on that possible job opportunity. Sometimes it takes years before they take you. And sometimes you get lucky and get it on the first try. I would continue on a path in aviation that you would enjoy, while applying to ATC in the background only as a backup.
Scarebus
Well-Known Member
Less stress, more money, and flight benefits.
R2D
ACK
At a major, I agree.
Is it truly less stress though?
If I knew I'd be guaranteed a place at a major, I'd choose dispatch. But who's to say which you'd really like. Are atc liasons job hard to come by?
Altimeter
Well-Known Member
Yea it’s way less stress. No medical to lose. Waaaaaaay better schedule. Just as good money in the long run. And flight benefits literally can’t be beat. As far as I’m concerned Controllers are Saints for doing that work. They’re way under paid in some facilities.
DispatchDan
Well-Known Member
what do you mean by “arc liaisons”?
I would get into dispatch while waiting to get a shot at arc, also if you work as a dispatcher and then go to ATC and washout you will have something good to come back to.
autosave36
Go High Go Fast and Hold.
The person who got me into dispatch got into it because his shiny new atc degree from a very good aviation school wasnt putting him ahead in line over street hires. After a year in dispatch, and enjoying the job, hes just said heck with it. Theres a lot of good dispatchers who either tried atc and hated it or hated the schedule. Theres also some who failed the test. And theres also a lot of dispatchers who are just waiting for the faa to hire them. Long story short, just because you do one doesnt mean you cant do the other.
PuddlePirate
Well-Known Member
Got my ATC degree just after the FAA mixed up their hiring requirements. After applying multiple times and not even getting an invite to test I didn’t feel like waiting around to see if I’d make the next round. Quickly got my dx cert and was hired on by a regional immediately, then a major almost 3 years later. Pay is better, quality of life is better, and after serving in the military I’m happy to say I’m not working for the Feds again. Can’t beat the travel benefits, and you don’t have to worry about a medical or hoping to get hired before you’re too old. I know several controllers who are very happy, but also a few that aren’t. Go with whatever would make you happiest in the long run.
gopherdx
Well-Known Member
Same boat as PuddlePirate. Graduated with my CTI back in 2010 and then the FAA screwed things up for us who had our CTI's and put us in the same pool as 'off the street' hires. WQ on both AT-SATs and no call. I was bummed at first but then discovered dispatch after reading/hearing about it and then shadowing with my airline a few times. A few years later I completely stopped applying to the FAA announcements (not 31 just yet). I am very happy with my decision. I've heard several friends of mine who are controllers now that are not too crazy about it. For some, the stress is not worth it. I've come to the conclusion that the stress levels are swapped when comparing ATC and dispatch.. 80% of the time controlling is stressful and 20% is not, while it's the opposite as a dispatcher for the most part. Besides, you can't beat the flight benefits and pay once you get into the mid-upper pay scale at a major.
Scarebus
Well-Known Member
Try to shadow a controller if you can. And compare that experience with shadowing a dispatcher.
I know a controller in center and another in TRACON. The one in center makes around $180k with OT. Both said it’s not really as stressful as everyone says. So who knows. We’re all dispatchers here and are only guessing on what ATC is really like.
PuddlePirate
Well-Known Member
I don’t think anyone here is saying to not go after ATC, but it’s good to have a backup. Last I heard the pass rate at the academy was below 50%. Get your certificate while waiting to go off to the academy. If you pass, great, you’re set. But if you don’t pass, or like myself and several others, don’t even make it to the academy, already having your dx cert in hand will be an edge up and not feel like you wasted as much time. Also, ask yourself what kind of work you’d enjoy more. You can either have a sector of airspace and your job is moving planes through it without them touching, or plan flights and get them from point a to point b.
Flagship_dxer
Penske Material
I am going to say go with ATC if you have the chance. Right now, ATC may be more stressful but you need to look at it as a 30 year career. Over 30 years, airlines will likely go through several ups and downs where things will not be as good as they are now. Airlines have a long history of bankruptcies, liquidations, and mergers. Furloughs during recessions can happen as well depending on your seniority. Even if you are not furloughed, a furlough can leave you with a more junior schedule.
Likewise, dispatch workload can go way up during downturns as airlines close desks, put more flights onto fewer desks and give dispatchers work that other positions used to do. That can make dispatch much more stressful than it is now during a time when airlines are doing pretty well.
Dispatch is also in danger of having many of its current functions automated. Enough automation and during a downturn your big paychecks may be gone.
ATC has a stability and benefits that an airline won't likely give you.
Likewise, dispatch workload can go way up during downturns as airlines close desks, put more flights onto fewer desks and give dispatchers work that other positions used to do. That can make dispatch much more stressful than it is now during a time when airlines are doing pretty well.
Dispatch is also in danger of having many of its current functions automated. Enough automation and during a downturn your big paychecks may be gone.
ATC has a stability and benefits that an airline won't likely give you.
manniax
Well-met in the Ka-tet
I doubt the future downturns will be as severe in previous decades due to all the mergers that have happened in the industry...using the most recent downturn as an example, which was the most severe recession since the Great Depression - my major never furloughed a single person. I agree more automation may mean fewer jobs in the future - I don't ever see the job going away completely barring a major regulations change - and I have never seen the FAA change regulations quickly - but yes, the total number of dispatchers may gradually decrease in future decades. Time will tell as it always does. There's also the chance that if single pilot cockpits ever become a thing, that dispatcher roles will become more prominent. I have my doubts if that will ever happen but it is being studied right now by NASA.
NASA Advances Single-Pilot Operations Concepts | Aviation Week Network
In an effort to address potential pilot shortages in the future, NASA is conducting research on the operating concepts and ground stations that would be needed for single-pilot airliners.
aviationweek.com
I have never worked in ATC but keep in mind that it requires a medical and has a mandatory retirement age - dispatch does not. Of course, it's a very good government pension, but you have to take it starting at age 56. For many individuals this occurs at an inconvenient time when their kids are in college, and suddenly they have to take a pay cut and transition into retirement. Also, ATC has no flight or jumpseat benefits and a much more demanding work schedule - I have heard that a traditional five on two off is the norm, with rotating start times. I'm sure that varies by center some, but it doesn't sound very fun to me. Check out this informative post by @SpaceBeagle for more thoughts on the subject:
ATC to Dispatch
Hello I’ve been an enroute controller for a few years, and I’ve always wanted to become dispatcher prior to starting ATC. I got my DX cert while waiting to get picked up for ATC, when I was still a ramp agent ( which was by far my favorite job ever). Too bad the pay sucked. My questions are...
forums.jetcareers.com
If I was wanting to work for the government, I'd probably rather work as a PDI or ADI to have more normal office hours. The pay they make doesn't come close to what a major offers now though and I think I'd get bored with doing office work after a while.
Long story short, I think dispatch is likely a better career if you can make it to a major. If you can't then I would think ATC is better. In the end, it really comes down to personal preference and what type of work you enjoy doing.
I Remember reading somewhere that majors hire atcs for a certain role.