I need your help, please..

N

Neema

New Member
Hi everyone,

I'm really interested in becoming an ATC. I am 24 years old, and after trying several jobs I think I found the one that will make me the most happy(good pay, and challenging).

I do not have a BA or even an Associates degree although I will be getting my AA by the end of this year. How does having an AA effect my chances of getting a job as an ATC. And after I get my AA, where do I go from their?

Please Advise and thanks in advance.;)

Neema
 
There are basically 2 options for you. Enlist in the Air Force and become a Military controller (best option for getting hired by the FAA once youre done with the military contract). Second option is go through the CTI program at one of about 30 or so community colleges throughout the country. Just do a google search for "CTI school" to find more info and pic a school that is near you.

Getting hired off the street is almost impossible these days. In fact they havent even had an Off the street hiring window since 2009.
 
Thanks for such a quick reply.
I my situation, I don't want to have to go to school again beyond getting my AA. And I am a bit biased in that I don't want to join the military - it's a moral issue.
So...I heard that as long as I get my AA I am eligible to go to Oklahoma City for training? Is this true?... Or do I need to pass the AT-SAT before I can even get accepted??
I'm a bit confused.

I've heard from reading several posts here that it is much more difficult to get a job as an OTC. But is this really true, or is this a disinformation ploy to persuade the public to inject their labor/money into the military and/or universities?
I'd like to hear from people who have had experience getting a job as an ATC without having to go to these schools or enlisting.

Thanks
 
Your AA is worthless to the FAA. You could have a Ph.D. and it won't help you. SIU gave you your two options and those are it. Since you already have an AA you could get another AA from a CTI school relatively quickly. However, I would suggest you go for a bachelor's if you're selecting the CTI route. You never know how things will work out with the FAA and getting a bachelor's would be something good to fall back on. You're not getting a degree in ATC. What CTI schools do is they have to complete a major in something aviation related (Airline management, airport management, etc...) and you take ATC related courses during that time. After you graduate, the school will "recommend" you for hire to the FAA. You will take your AT-SAT in your last semester. It is critical that you get at least an 85 on it.

As already mentioned, there hasn't been a public announcement (OTS) since June 2009. There is no indication that another one will happen anytime soon. At this point, it is either military or CTI. Also, I wouldn't mention that you have a moral objection to the military if you're trying to get into the FAA. There are plenty of veterans in the FAA and they probably wouldn't appreciate you saying that.
 
if you dont want to go to cti school, or join the military youre chances of getting hired slim to about .0000001%
 
A thank you to all that have replied to this post. I really do appreciate your input.

Okay so hypothetically, lets say I decided to join the airforce( I believe the minimum contract is 3 years) when my contract is up, I still would need to take the AT-SAT as well as take the training in OKC(im curious..how long is this), right?

If I'm 24 now, and I decided to go to the military then I would probably be discharged at 27-28. Is it easy to get in OKC and find work after or not?

ex. The ATC portion of this site is dead. I see that there hasn't been a new post since April and March. I also saw a post where someone stated that they finally got accepted to go OKC after what was a long time. Is this field still in demand, or is it not??
 
If you are hired off the street, the en route option is four months in OKC. The terminal option takes three months off the street. If you come in from CTI or military, you do not have to take the basics class, so subtract one month.

As long as you have a tentative offer letter by your 31st birthday, you can get into ATC.

You may wish to check out stuckmic.com; there's a lot more ATC chatter there.

My area and several others need people; some smaller facilities do not need any more trainees for several years. It just depends if where you want to live is a place that is in need.
 
I live in just a few minutes out of Los Angeles, so my preferred destination to work would be LAX INternational Airport. I'd love to know where you currently work Bernoulli Fan?
 
neema, you should probably pull your head out of your ass and be realistic. YOU arent going to tell the faa where YOU are going to work. if youre serious about being a controller be prepared to move where the faa needs you. realistically the military is the best avenue for you to become a controller...go talk to a recruiter. i wouldnt expect to go right in as the air force as a controller, a lot of times you can go in via a delayed entry program...IF you can make it through their training program and get facility rated youll at least come out with some experience (and youll be getting paid) and you can go contract if the faa isnt hiring when you get out. with a cti degree, youll pay them to train you just so you can get out of taking a 1 month basics course. either way, be realistic, youre not going to a level 12 facility right out of the gate...at best youll end up at a level 8 facility.
 
No chance in hell of you going to LAX. New hires are no longer going to Level 12 terminal facilities. LA Center would still be an option.
 
Please, lets be polite here. As I said in my first post, I know almost nothing about ATC compared to most of you people posting. I said that I would PREFER to work at LAX because its close to my home. I never said that I wouldn't consider moving. In fact, I'm almost willing to move anywhere to be an ATC. It's been a passion of my mind ever since I was a child.
 
thesoonerkid said:
if you dont want to go to cti school, or join the military youre chances of getting hired slim to about .0000001%
Click to expand...

Funny. The first CTI graduate I ever trained (who was told the exact same thing you posted here) about flipped his lid when his very own little brother was hired by the FAA without taking either of those routes.

My point being (to the OP) is that over the years the song and dance of the FAA changes on who they will hire, when they will hire, and what the requirements will be. There is no rhyme or reason.

Being 24, the military is not an option for you. Both the army and the air force require 6 year enlistments for ATC. The marine corp requires 5. No idea what the navy requires but I'm sure it's along the same lines...and you'll be too close to pushing 31. But hell, maybe that won't matter because the "magic 31" number will be gone by that time.

CTI is another route, but that is not a sure thing either as it does not guarantee a job. Again, you could be halfway through the program when the FAA decides to suspend the program. Or, you could finish the program and be long past your 3 year eligibility or 31st birthday before the agency starts to hire.

Bottom line, I know you're asking for advice but there is really no solid advice to give. What the FAA is saying and doing this week will not be the same thing they are saying and doing next week, next month, or next year in regards to hiring. Keep looking on the FAA jobs page and when/if you see an announcement you are eligible for throw your hat into the ring. If you want to do a CTI program feel free...just know that it does not guarantee you anything nor does it put you at the front of some "mysterious line" for hiring.

I wish I could give you a more solid route from point A to B, but there isn't one. It all comes down to being in the right place at the right time when there is a wind shift at the agency.
 
thesoonerkid said:
neema, you should probably pull your head out of your ass and be realistic. YOU arent going to tell the faa where YOU are going to work. if youre serious about being a controller be prepared to move where the faa needs you. realistically the military is the best avenue for you to become a controller...go talk to a recruiter. i wouldnt expect to go right in as the air force as a controller, a lot of times you can go in via a delayed entry program...IF you can make it through their training program and get facility rated youll at least come out with some experience (and youll be getting paid) and you can go contract if the faa isnt hiring when you get out. with a cti degree, youll pay them to train you just so you can get out of taking a 1 month basics course. either way, be realistic, youre not going to a level 12 facility right out of the gate...at best youll end up at a level 8 facility.
Click to expand...

Dude, seriously? Someone comes in here seeking advice and the first thing you have to say is pull your head out of your ass?

And to top it off you give them crappy advice by telling a 24 year old that their BEST option is to join the military, when that's going to require a 6 year enlistment-when they are trying to get a job that goes *poof* on your 31st birthday?

Good grief man...
 
I was seriously considering the military for about a couple days now. I thought that the minimum enlistment contract would be three years. Dang it...
 
Neema

You live outside of LA and have a Persian name...so dare I ask if you're Persian?

Anyways, your major options as of RIGHT NOW are either CTI (which is the college route) or Military. Whether that sticks for another few years, no one can say. Since you already have an AA you should be able to go to Mt. Sac (that's going to be your closest CTI school) in Walnut and just do your ATC classes/Aviation classes. Once you're in your last semester of school, the school will submit your information for you to take the AT-SAT. This test is the first decision factor of getting hired. You have to score over a 85% to be Well Qualified and have a chance. Once you finish the CTI program, the school will you give you a letter of recommendation for hire. You will then apply on an open announcement only for CTI grads (you'll have to provide a special code once you graduate). Included in the application and a later e-mail, you'll submit GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCES. That's where you'll put down 2 states you'd like to work in. There will also be an option for Terminal, Enroute, or Both. From there, there are hiring panels that get together and review applications and applicants. If you get chosen, you'll get notified. If not, you'll have to re-apply. Your AT-SAT score is valid for 3 years after taking it and you can file an extension for an extra year once you graduate.

Now, I'll give you some background on me so you can see how unpredictable and crazy the process is.

I lived in SoCal also, and applied under Public Announcements when they had them (PUBNAT's). I scored a 97% on my AT-SAT and listed my Geographic Preferences as California and Nevada. Then CA and NV. Then finally CA and MA. I have not been hired and I've applied PUBNAT4,5,6,7, and 8. That's 5 announcements and almost 3 years worth of time. Take it for what's it worth!

Spend some time reading previous threads and topics. Alot of your questions have already been answered with far more information than we have provided so far, including various schools and test preps!
 
Neema said:
Please, lets be polite here. As I said in my first post, I know almost nothing about ATC compared to most of you people posting. I said that I would PREFER to work at LAX because its close to my home. I never said that I wouldn't consider moving. In fact, I'm almost willing to move anywhere to be an ATC. It's been a passion of my mind ever since I was a child.
Click to expand...

if ATC has been a passion since you were a child why did you try other jobs and wait till your 24? you also say you know very little about ATC but ATC has been your passion? you never read anything about it untill now? yea right.
 
I am wondering what the non FAA route would be for people in the ATC field. What are the pros and cons anywhere from pay to retirement?
 
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