Terminal vs. Enroute

M

mdd

New Member
Sorry if I am bringing up something that has been discussed. But I just wanted to verify something. Is it really that hard to switch from Terminal to Enroute once you start working? I would prefer to start in something a little more low key first then progress to Enroute with th experience and knowledge but if it really is that hard I need to think this over some more.

Anyone got some good advice regarding this? Also is it really that much harder to stay on top of your work at an Enroute center? I just want to know cause I would not want to be washed out just because I made a bad decision and chose something way over my head
 
I took a tour at FWA (tower) a couple of weeks ago and talked with a couple of guys who started at a Center and were able to transfer to a tower. They told me that they think it is till possible and it is much better to get your foot in the door and start wherever you are offered instead of waiting for the perfect job. I spent some time talking with the supervisor and he told me that he didn't have the skills to make it at the center but the FAA did not completely wash him out because they did recognize that he did have skills to succeed and help the organization somewhere.
I don't know how much of that is applicable to todays world in the FAA (these guys have all been employed for 20 years but it was helpful information for me. They did give me encouragement that they thought it was possible to make the switch if you demonstrate that you have skills to succeed and help the FAA as a controller.
 
It would be much easier to start in a tower and then bid into a center. If you start at a center and then bid to a tower expect to be at the center for many years before the FAA lets you leave the center. Plus, terminal training is(often) much easier/faster than center.
 
I switched...

Personally, I found enroute to be much harder, mostly because I had a 21 year background in terminal plus I was old as hell already. If you do switch, I highly recommend doing it at an earlier age.

There was a thread previously about this but there has been so much activity on this forum recently that things are getting harder to find.

Here it is.
 
ATC RET 2003 said:
I switched...

Personally, I found enroute to be much harder, mostly because I had a 21 year background in terminal plus I was old as hell already. If you do switch, I highly recommend doing it at an earlier age.

There was a thread previously about this but there has been so much activity on this forum recently that things are getting harder to find.

Here it is.
Click to expand...


Thanks guys! the info was helpful to me. I guess I will just stick with the both Enroute and Terminal option now.
 
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