queeno
Ward of the Guberment
I like beer... if our paths ever cross, we'll have to hoist a few or twelve.
you are on my man, but only 12???????
So You Want To Be A Controller ?
- Thread starter Fox Xray
- Start date
you are on my man, but only 12???????
ATC RET 2003
No More Vectors
For the first round.
88MPH
Addicted voyeur
There are guys in my line of work that bitch all day about how bad it is.
There are other guys who think the same things, but don't make a peep.
There are guys who LOVE what the first guys consider BS.
I knew a guy who LOVED riding the back of a garbage truck for $19/hr. Some people consider that miserable.
I knew a guy who LOVED being the manager of a Ford dealership, and had a really easy job. Some people consider that miserable.
No matter what, some love it, some hate it. There seem to be a few seasoned vets that warn over and over about the conditions, and there seem to be even fewer to glam it up. Maybe there's a good reason, maybe it's just by chance we only got the few b##chers. No one knows.
Take what they say into cosideration, but by George, don't bet your career on a few's advice. Remember, the ones on here ARE seasoned, so take that into part of the consideration, and it seems that the ones that keep saying, "You're just whining," or "I don't mind that crap," are the ones who haven't plugged in real-time.
Psychology is great in this instance. Kids sponge up everything, and build their character. When they turn teen-ish, they don't have to listen to ANYBODY, because they have it all figured out. (I know I did! Lol) Some people never grow out of that, and it seems that many of the responses favor that kind of mentality.
That's my spoken $.02, and everyone can finish their train of thought the way they see fit.
There are other guys who think the same things, but don't make a peep.
There are guys who LOVE what the first guys consider BS.
I knew a guy who LOVED riding the back of a garbage truck for $19/hr. Some people consider that miserable.
I knew a guy who LOVED being the manager of a Ford dealership, and had a really easy job. Some people consider that miserable.
No matter what, some love it, some hate it. There seem to be a few seasoned vets that warn over and over about the conditions, and there seem to be even fewer to glam it up. Maybe there's a good reason, maybe it's just by chance we only got the few b##chers. No one knows.
Take what they say into cosideration, but by George, don't bet your career on a few's advice. Remember, the ones on here ARE seasoned, so take that into part of the consideration, and it seems that the ones that keep saying, "You're just whining," or "I don't mind that crap," are the ones who haven't plugged in real-time.
Psychology is great in this instance. Kids sponge up everything, and build their character. When they turn teen-ish, they don't have to listen to ANYBODY, because they have it all figured out. (I know I did! Lol) Some people never grow out of that, and it seems that many of the responses favor that kind of mentality.
That's my spoken $.02, and everyone can finish their train of thought the way they see fit.
queeno
Ward of the Guberment
Beehive
Well-Known Member
quenno-
You're obviously about to retire so with all the crap the FAA has, and is puting you through-
Did you enjoy working traffic before the IWR's and salary reduction?
Do you enjoy working traffic now?
If the FAA wouldn't force you out by the age of 56, would you continue working traffic?
You're obviously about to retire so with all the crap the FAA has, and is puting you through-
Did you enjoy working traffic before the IWR's and salary reduction?
Do you enjoy working traffic now?
If the FAA wouldn't force you out by the age of 56, would you continue working traffic?
Good evening all,
I joined the forum a week ago, give-or-take, and haven't felt the itch to post a reply to any of these threads. However, I decided just a minute ago to participate. To answer the question at hand; YES, I do want to be a controller. I've read almost everything on the forum, even prior to joining, and I would like to thank every one of you for allowing the rest of us to benefit from your experiences- and that goes out to both the experienced controllers trying to warn us about the changes in this field, and those of you like myself, who have applied to the public announcement and shared any and all information they've been privy to.
I'll let all of you know, that I'm leaving the IT field to pursue my career in Air Traffic Control. The IT field is like any other- you get no "respect" for what you do, since everyone just expects their computer-related systems to "work right" no matter what...etc. But the industry is up and down, and the pay is low (and for those who complain about Controller pay, by low I mean an average of less than $50,000 for someone with 3-5 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree.) I could go into more detail but it's unnecessary.
There are going to be individuals applying for jobs as controllers no matter what. The fact is, it is SO difficult to make a comfortable living these days, that the possibility of making $100,000/year + 10-20% locality compensation, is quite enticing. Remember this- the cost of living will continue to increase across the nation...and the government (including the FAA, believe it of not) will have to keep up. The percentage in salary increase that is based upon that cost of living, WILL HAVE TO continue to increase, and so will the general pay rates. Either that, or the cost of Property, Transportation, Energy, Fuel, Food, and all other things will have to decrease- it's a natural fact.
I'm taking my AT-SAT in Dania Beach, FL in 8 hours- we'll see how I fare. Again, thanks to all of you for your input and advice. And for the Facility-rated controllers on the forum, learning from experience is one of the best ways to do it. I hope to pass the test and have the opportunity to learn the job from professionals like yourselves, encountering as little negativity as possible in the process.
Have a good night.
I joined the forum a week ago, give-or-take, and haven't felt the itch to post a reply to any of these threads. However, I decided just a minute ago to participate. To answer the question at hand; YES, I do want to be a controller. I've read almost everything on the forum, even prior to joining, and I would like to thank every one of you for allowing the rest of us to benefit from your experiences- and that goes out to both the experienced controllers trying to warn us about the changes in this field, and those of you like myself, who have applied to the public announcement and shared any and all information they've been privy to.
I'll let all of you know, that I'm leaving the IT field to pursue my career in Air Traffic Control. The IT field is like any other- you get no "respect" for what you do, since everyone just expects their computer-related systems to "work right" no matter what...etc. But the industry is up and down, and the pay is low (and for those who complain about Controller pay, by low I mean an average of less than $50,000 for someone with 3-5 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree.) I could go into more detail but it's unnecessary.
There are going to be individuals applying for jobs as controllers no matter what. The fact is, it is SO difficult to make a comfortable living these days, that the possibility of making $100,000/year + 10-20% locality compensation, is quite enticing. Remember this- the cost of living will continue to increase across the nation...and the government (including the FAA, believe it of not) will have to keep up. The percentage in salary increase that is based upon that cost of living, WILL HAVE TO continue to increase, and so will the general pay rates. Either that, or the cost of Property, Transportation, Energy, Fuel, Food, and all other things will have to decrease- it's a natural fact.
I'm taking my AT-SAT in Dania Beach, FL in 8 hours- we'll see how I fare. Again, thanks to all of you for your input and advice. And for the Facility-rated controllers on the forum, learning from experience is one of the best ways to do it. I hope to pass the test and have the opportunity to learn the job from professionals like yourselves, encountering as little negativity as possible in the process.
Have a good night.
queeno
Ward of the Guberment
if your going to do this job for the money you will not be happy, to make the "$100,000" a year you are going to have to go to a busy center or tracon, or tower like atlanta chicago newyork etc which have high wash out rates and long training back logs. if you are sent to a lvl 3 it might take 25 years to even get $90000.under the IWR if you are involved in a deal and are decertified, or have any personal action against you you will not get you raise.the money and work rules dont make up for the risk of doing this job.
queeno
Ward of the Guberment
yes
yes
NO, my health is more important than working past 56, ill be retired before iam 50, Marion Blakey was right ive done the math and iam not going to work for .15 cents on the dollar ,and so are a lot of other controllers.
Fox Xray
ATC
Wow... who would have thought a simple post would bring out such emotion... 
Dennis... you nor anyone else has to justify why you want to be a controller, myself or any other controller would never tell someone NOT to follow their dream. What I personally feel is that anyone pursing the career need to have all the facts. Where I work I am a NATCA area rep and I'm surprised how uninformed some new hires are, I have heard from many who failed, quit, or were fired that if they had this info up front they would never have followed through on the job. From your post you sound like you have given it a lot of thought and used facts in making your decision and that's refreshing to read.
It puts many of the current controllers in a very difficult situation. I work at a level 12 center and training is very tough, in the past training failures were sent to lower level facilities. You often felt bad for the person but they always landed on their feet. That is not the case anymore, anyone still under probation is fired, sent packing. There is nothing the union can do about that though we do try with limited success. On a personal note I no longer write detailed training reports. I still spend a lot of time debriefing the trainee but I now do it away from the supes and put nothing in writing anymore, I'm not going to give the agency any ammo to fire these poor individuals.
Where I work a trainee was fired three weeks ago for not making it in to training on a day when snow hit the area. The individual was involved in an accident, called in to work to explain what was going on and was told it would be discussed on Monday. On Monday that person was fired. There was nearly a full on revolt at the facility due to this and the CEO has put the firing on hold. This is the stuff that makes me hate going to work, it makes me sick how people are treated.
For some people the risks are worth it, for others not so much, the most important commodity in a career change is information. Do not go into this job anymore with blinders on, the FAA will chew you up and spit you out.
Dennis... you nor anyone else has to justify why you want to be a controller, myself or any other controller would never tell someone NOT to follow their dream. What I personally feel is that anyone pursing the career need to have all the facts. Where I work I am a NATCA area rep and I'm surprised how uninformed some new hires are, I have heard from many who failed, quit, or were fired that if they had this info up front they would never have followed through on the job. From your post you sound like you have given it a lot of thought and used facts in making your decision and that's refreshing to read.
It puts many of the current controllers in a very difficult situation. I work at a level 12 center and training is very tough, in the past training failures were sent to lower level facilities. You often felt bad for the person but they always landed on their feet. That is not the case anymore, anyone still under probation is fired, sent packing. There is nothing the union can do about that though we do try with limited success. On a personal note I no longer write detailed training reports. I still spend a lot of time debriefing the trainee but I now do it away from the supes and put nothing in writing anymore, I'm not going to give the agency any ammo to fire these poor individuals.
Where I work a trainee was fired three weeks ago for not making it in to training on a day when snow hit the area. The individual was involved in an accident, called in to work to explain what was going on and was told it would be discussed on Monday. On Monday that person was fired. There was nearly a full on revolt at the facility due to this and the CEO has put the firing on hold. This is the stuff that makes me hate going to work, it makes me sick how people are treated.
For some people the risks are worth it, for others not so much, the most important commodity in a career change is information. Do not go into this job anymore with blinders on, the FAA will chew you up and spit you out.
queeno
Ward of the Guberment
not at all .if someone just droped a boat load of money in my lap i would be gone so fast you would hear a sonic boom.
just remember one thing ATC will take away more from you than it will give you, and you old timers know what i mean.
Queeno...I am under the impression if you are a controller you are a bit of a perfectionist.
With ALL due respect, please, please, please use spell check! How can anyone take you seriously if you write like a fourth grader? Punctuation? Capitalization?
Although I do appreciate your insight and opinions on the subject of ATC, it's hard to follow your thoughts when it is garbled together.
With ALL due respect, please, please, please use spell check! How can anyone take you seriously if you write like a fourth grader? Punctuation? Capitalization?
Although I do appreciate your insight and opinions on the subject of ATC, it's hard to follow your thoughts when it is garbled together.
RetiredATLATC
Well-Known Member
Beehive
Well-Known Member
What makes you think he cares!
queeno
Ward of the Guberment
CJ,
iam gonna start feeling you pain,i just looked at cur-art and it looks like the manditory 6 day weeks are starting here.we have been lucky there has been overtime but you didnt have to work it if you didnt want it, rumor is that training may have to be stoped by november.we are going to have to staff 4 more position in the tracon for the new rwy but we dont have the bodys yet and are going to be real real short.have already had 2 retire and 4 more by august, but there was talk of some suprise retirements also.glug glug glug . just hope i can last another 378 days.
iam gonna start feeling you pain,i just looked at cur-art and it looks like the manditory 6 day weeks are starting here.we have been lucky there has been overtime but you didnt have to work it if you didnt want it, rumor is that training may have to be stoped by november.we are going to have to staff 4 more position in the tracon for the new rwy but we dont have the bodys yet and are going to be real real short.have already had 2 retire and 4 more by august, but there was talk of some suprise retirements also.glug glug glug . just hope i can last another 378 days.