Hi All. I posted this same topic on atcmonitor.com. But I figured I'd put this here too…..
I found this board the other day when looking for info on ATC jobs. I have always had an interest in the back of my head to come work as an Air Traffic Controller. I am a month from turning 30 so I figure the June 30th posting could be my last shot.
I am confronted with a tough choice here: I am a dispatcher for a major airline. I have 12 years with the company and 3 years as a dispatcher. I get paid well and have a nice schedule. I have no retirement anymore. The only thing I have now is my own 401k. The company did away with the pensions back in 2005.
I have discussed this opportunity in depth with my wife. She is comfortable with me have to take huge paycut while in OKC and not being able to recover to what my current salary is for another 2 years or so.
The thing that has me really leaning the ATC way is job security and retirement. Any thoughts on that? With the way airlines and fuel are, if it goes much higher and with mergers I may be pushed out of dispatch. I have about 30 people under me.
The thing I would miss most is my work schedule, time off (three days a week), and vacation (4 weeks/year). I am willing to trade that though for a secure future and retirement. I love my job, but it may not be worth hanging around.
Any thoughts from anyone?????
Thanks for the input. Have a nice day!
I found this board the other day when looking for info on ATC jobs. I have always had an interest in the back of my head to come work as an Air Traffic Controller. I am a month from turning 30 so I figure the June 30th posting could be my last shot.
I am confronted with a tough choice here: I am a dispatcher for a major airline. I have 12 years with the company and 3 years as a dispatcher. I get paid well and have a nice schedule. I have no retirement anymore. The only thing I have now is my own 401k. The company did away with the pensions back in 2005.
I have discussed this opportunity in depth with my wife. She is comfortable with me have to take huge paycut while in OKC and not being able to recover to what my current salary is for another 2 years or so.
The thing that has me really leaning the ATC way is job security and retirement. Any thoughts on that? With the way airlines and fuel are, if it goes much higher and with mergers I may be pushed out of dispatch. I have about 30 people under me.
The thing I would miss most is my work schedule, time off (three days a week), and vacation (4 weeks/year). I am willing to trade that though for a secure future and retirement. I love my job, but it may not be worth hanging around.
Any thoughts from anyone?????
Thanks for the input. Have a nice day!