Questions for an ARTCC ATCS

[wve_iii]

I was wondering if someone who works in an ARTCC and is a CPC could answer some questions regarding the job.

How do they determine your schedule? Ive heard it is by seniority? So is it like you know your off days every week but you work different shifts everyday? Maybe someone could give me an example of a typical workweek without over time?

Also what is a typical workday like? I think Ive read that your not supposed to be on position for more than two hours without a break? So what would a typical workday consist of?

Ive read that there are three positions in an ARTCC? Is this true? could you describe the different positions and what they entail? how do you determine who works what position and so forth each day?

If a new hire comes in and is in training when can he/she begin working overtime/nights/sundays so as to add those premiums to his/her pay? I am thinking you probably have to be Developemental 1 so that you can actually hold a position?

What would the timeline be for a new hire to come in and make developmental 1, assuming he/she is a well qualified and takes well to the training? I ask this question and the one before because I am considering changing careers, I currently work with the USPS and earn roughly 57000 per year with my night shift and suday premiums without overtime. I have looked and it seems I will return to that salary level when I would make D1 at a level 12 facility.

I have been through the indy center a number of times since my wife used to work there as an ET. I noticed the break areas to be nice, and niticed they had a nice cafeteria. Are all ARTCC's like this?


I know there are alot of questions but im just trying to get a feel for the job. I know there are alot of upset people in the field due to the imposed work rules that are currently in effect. However this career field for my situation is still well paying and I think it is a job I will love to do. Any information that you may be able to give me woud be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fox Xray]

I was wondering if someone who works in an ARTCC and is a CPC could answer some questions regarding the job.

Hi... I'm a center controller and have been a CPC for many years now. Some of the details I describe will vary from center to center but the basic info should be the same.

How do they determine your schedule? Ive heard it is by seniority? So is it like you know your off days every week but you work different shifts everyday? Maybe someone could give me an example of a typical workweek without over time?

Schedules are bid in seniority order prior to the start of the next calendar year, for example we bid our 2008 schedules this past September of 2007. How the process works is the NATCA area rep gets a feel of what people in the area are looking for as far as schedules go. A few different schedules are made up and then the schedules are negotiated with the area supervisor who is the scheduler. When (if) an agreement to one or more schedules is reached the schedules are then posted for people in the area to begin bidding in seniority order. If we bid on more then one schedule then at the completion of the bidding process the area does a straight up / down vote on which schedule they want. The schedule year begins on January 5th. There are numerous schedule options to bid on. There are 221's, which is two nights (3-11) two days (7-3) and a mid (11-7). This gives you two quick turns (eight hours between shifts) when you go from the night to the day and the day to the mid. These are available in PDO's (permanent days off) paired days off (6 months of paired days, then 6 months of other paired days) and a crew 221 where your days off rotate back one day every seven weeks. There are also rotating schedules available where you can work a week of days, a week of nights, or a week of mids with PDO's or paired days. Last there are rotating crew schedules. For the most part you get assigend the shift you bid on but due to many variables your actual workweek could be a bit different. Right now the thing that kills your week is the short staffing and OT. I get assigned 3 nights, a day, a mid, then a night OT. It really screws up the week. The 221 is nice when there is no OT because you essentially get an extra day off.

Also what is a typical workday like? I think Ive read that your not supposed to be on position for more than two hours without a break? So what would a typical workday consist of?

The two hour thing is long gone, that was green book, that was eliminated in the white book. You could sit on position all day if they wanted you to. The basic workday consists of arriving, signing in, and reading any MBI's (mandatory briefing items) affecting the sectors, then rotating out the previous shift. The supervisor assigns you who to relive as you get in. From there on you can be assigned just about anything by the supes, this includes training someone, doing CBI's (computer based instruction), or just working. Once the shift is rolling we pretty much do our own thing, come back from break and are either told to relive someone from break or just instructed to solicit breaks based on TOP. (time on position). Breaks can vary on a lot of things, how much staffing, how many sectors are open, etc.

Ive read that there are three positions in an ARTCC? Is this true? could you describe the different positions and what they entail? how do you determine who works what position and so forth each day?

The three positions are Radar controller, Radar associate controller, and A-side or flight data. Flight data is posting strips which has just about gone away at centers due to URET (a computer based strip). The radar controller talks to the planes, the radar associate (if one is assigned to the position) is a second set of eyes, works the computers, land lines, does point outs and coordination. As far as what you work it all depends on who is up for break, you relive whoever it is. It gets complicated when you have someone who has a "limited" rating. That is a trainee who can work a few positions but not all. Often for that person to relieve someone they have to "bump" someone off the sector they can work so that person can go relieve someone else.

If a new hire comes in and is in training when can he/she begin working overtime/nights/sundays so as to add those premiums to his/her pay? I am thinking you probably have to be Developemental 1 so that you can actually hold a position?

It depends what you are certified on. Back before URET an A-side would get OT because they had a useful function in the area, not so anymore. Now you need to have at least a sector to see any OT.

What would the timeline be for a new hire to come in and make developmental 1, assuming he/she is a well qualified and takes well to the training? I ask this question and the one before because I am considering changing careers, I currently work with the USPS and earn roughly 57000 per year with my night shift and suday premiums without overtime. I have looked and it seems I will return to that salary level when I would make D1 at a level 12 facility.

Where I am it's running over a year for Dev 1. Much of the first year is spent in school at the facility training, then once on the floor you have to wait for the trainees in front of you to fee up a sector to train on. I would guess at least a year at just about any level 12...

I have been through the indy center a number of times since my wife used to work there as an ET. I noticed the break areas to be nice, and niticed they had a nice cafeteria. Are all ARTCC's like this?

I have only seen one other center other then mine and it was a dump just like where I work. My building was built in the late 50's and it's pretty run down. The one nice thing we have is the property is very large and has a grass and tree covered area. The union bought a bunch of chairs and tables outside so it's a nice place to sit out when the weather is warm. The union also has a computer room with wifi and high speed internet, there are a bunch of computers and you can bring your laptop. The cafeteria is like something out of a prison, they just got fined by the local health inspector. I brown bag it... sometimes we order food in. We can't send someone for chow runs anymore...

I know there are alot of questions but im just trying to get a feel for the job. I know there are alot of upset people in the field due to the imposed work rules that are currently in effect. However this career field for my situation is still well paying and I think it is a job I will love to do. Any information that you may be able to give me woud be greatly appreciated.

Things are not great right now. I would venture to say that most controllers are not happy with the way things are at the moment. That has been debated to death on these forums and I'm not gonna revisit that now. I will say that at the end of the day I still feel going to work and working traffic is one of the best jobs there is. You mentioned you work for the USPS, I work with several guys that did the same. All of your leave earnings (S/L, etc.) and benefits are just about the same. PLus your USPS time will count towards your pension.

 

[wve_iii]

Thank you for answering my questions. I have had alot of them and sometimes its hard to get strait answers with how upset alot of people are. I unsderstand that there is alot of turmoil for existing controllers with the contract situation.

I see this as a great opportunity for me to further my career. I beleive that I will excel in this type of work. I do hope that I receive an offer. I scored a 100 on the ATSAT and that combined with my previous federal work history and education I hope will make me a prime candidate? But there is now the waiting and hoping game.

Do you have any advice that might help me get selected at a DFW facility (TRACON, ZFW, or the DFW Tower)? My wife works for the FAA as a tech and she says she may be able to get me a tour through those facilities and maybe meet some of the managers? In your opinion do you think it would be a good idea at this point to try and contact someone at the facility I would like to work at or just wait to see where I get selected?

 

[Fox Xray]

Thank you for answering my questions. I have had alot of them and sometimes its hard to get strait answers with how upset alot of people are. I unsderstand that there is alot of turmoil for existing controllers with the contract situation.

I see this as a great opportunity for me to further my career. I beleive that I will excel in this type of work. I do hope that I receive an offer. I scored a 100 on the ATSAT and that combined with my previous federal work history and education I hope will make me a prime candidate? But there is now the waiting and hoping game.

Do you have any advice that might help me get selected at a DFW facility (TRACON, ZFW, or the DFW Tower)? My wife works for the FAA as a tech and she says she may be able to get me a tour through those facilities and maybe meet some of the managers? In your opinion do you think it would be a good idea at this point to try and contact someone at the facility I would like to work at or just wait to see where I get selected?

I know little to nothing about the present hiring methods but I in the past federal service was always looked upon in a good light, I doubt that has changed. As for meeting management folks it couldn't hurt. FWIW I would not talk about the current labor situation, focus on being an existing Fed, your interest in ATC, etc. Stay focused on the job ... not the politics. When you get hired there will be plenty of time for politics...