is it difficult to get a job in air traffic control and is it a difficult job?

Question

i don't know much about it other than your job is to keep planes from colliding and tell pilots about weather conditions but it seems like an ok job the pay seems sufficient but i'd like to hear from the people preferably somone that is in the field or has tried to get a job doing it is it a good carrer and should i go into the military for a better chance of getting the job or go to school for it if it is a good job

Answer 1

I thought for sure another current FAA controller would've weighed in by now, but I guess I'll be the first.

Air traffic control is a great field to get into. There are only a few ways to get into the FAA though.

The first route is the military. All of the services, (except the Coast Guard) list "Air Traffic Control Operator" as a military occupational specialty. I was an atc in the army for 10 years. The Army places an equal emphasis on tactical as well as fixed-base operations. I was fortunate enough to certify at a fixed-base, (FAA-certificated), everywhere I was stationed at. Some are not so lucky. I've known a few ole-timers go a full 20 years and never certify in a fixed-base facility. It's luck of the draw really as far as that goes. The goal of joining the military to bcome an air traffic controller is to attain at least one FAA-CTO license, and then get all the approach control radar experience you can. I was lucky enough to get 4 licenses and one approach control rating.

The second way is through a small handful of college programs. There are a few colleges out there with specified air traffic control programs. Most all of them are designed for the "en route" option, meaning they are training and teaching you to work in a "center".

The 3rd option is for those rare moments when the FAA opens it's doors to anyone off the street who is accepted from their aptitude test. I went to the FAA academy with a gentleman who was to be employed by the Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center who was right off the street. Mind you he was a very intelligent guy, and rose to the challenge of the academy.

All three options and paths to take into the FAA hold no guarantee of employment. Sometimes a region may decide to hire from the pool of veterans out there, using the VRA (Veterans Realignment Act). And there are times where a region will pick up a decent number of college graduates to work in facilities.
I submitted my appliation in April of '02 and wasn't even called back for notification of an offer until late October of that same year. I didn't report for "swearing-in" at the Academy until March of '03. So as you can see, it is a long process.

One more thing about the employment process. If you are approaching the age of 31, forget this all. Age-limit. There are exceptions which someone will surely post to this, but they are RARE as a 4-dollar bill.

Now to address the pay and benefits. Yes the pay and benefits are very nice once you have become a Certified Professional Controller, (CPC). As a trainee, it sucks when you first get hired. Through certifications along your training process, you will earn raises along the way. They are incentive for you to complete training.

Training itself can be a lengthy process as well. I have only certified at a Center in the FAA, so I can only speak of that with true authority. Typically, training will take about 2-5 years from the time you enter the academy until the time you get your final check ride to become a CPC. Controllers with miliary backgrounds stereotypically always seem to fare slightly better since we have prior experience talking to aircraft and have a general feel for how everything works to begin with. I was fortunate enough to certify in 2 years time, (which is considered very quick in the Center environment). There are alot of factors just outside of your control to dictate the rate at which you will progess.

The job itself can be demanding at times, and it does take a bit of natural talent to do the job. However, when you've worked traffic for a length of time, it becomes old hat to you, and if you can think on your feet well, the out of the ordinary situations will not "bury" you as a controller.

I know the radar outage in L.A. was highly publicized, as it should be. But the days of widespread radar outage are OVER! Centers use a mosaic of radars throughout their airspace to create one display for the controller to use.

I have one last bit of advice to pass along to you. Please do not get into air traffic control only for the benefits and money. These types of controllers are the most dangerous because they do not care about the high quality level of service that we try to provide the flying public. If you do not share a passion for aviation in general, please look elsewhere.

(Sidenote to LLoyd.......we were STILL using the TPN-18 when I left the Army in '02. And we were STILL scraping our knuckles on those AZ and EL drive nuts and bolts. Nothing like having a BBQ using the "high volts". HAHAHAHA). Surprised some of us guys can still have kids!!)

(Pardon any typos along the way, this got so long the spellcheck coughed and died) (Fonikes werked fer me).

Answer 2

i don't know much about it other than your job is to keep planes from colliding and tell pilots about weather conditions but it seems like an ok job the pay seems sufficient but i'd like to hear from the people preferably somone that is in the field or has tried to get a job doing it is it a good carrer and should i go into the military for a better chance of getting the job or go to school for it if it is a good job

Answer 3

I am not sure how difficult it is to get into ATC. However, I can tell you that depending on where you are working (regional or local) it can be demanding to very demanding. You can go from a high level of stress to an extremely high level of stress with just two little words. "MAY DAY" ... those words will turn an ATC's day upside down faster than any ride at the fair can spin you upside down.

Most of the ATC's I know were military before civilian. BUT, the military will place you where they want you, so be sure to get a contract stating that you will be going for ATC or you might NEVER get that training.

ATC's also have a high divorce rate, most end up not making it a long term career choice, but the money is excellent. They work hard and they play hard.

Answer 4

Well if you beleive the FAA Administrator in 1980, Longhorn Bond, it is no more difficult than driving a bus. That is what he said to we PATCO air traffic controllers. When I went through the FAA Academy in 1977 the wash out rate was near 60-70% and from those left that went to air route traffic control center it was 30-40%. Being a "scope dope" with 30+ aircraft in your sector of responsebility will take its toll on a person. You never realize, at least I did not, until I was releived, that your heart is racing and your underarms had completely soaked your shirt. I loved what I was doing!

There are several schools that offer and are FAA reconized that offer instruction. The army ATC from what I have heard is more of a tactical operation. I have visited their school in Ft. Rucker, AL. The radar portion uses the same radar, TPN-18, that I trained on in 1969!
What ever you do military, get it in writing or you will get screwed!

Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes it's difficult to become an air traffic controller and yes it is a very stressful job. If ATC makes a mistake other people may die. Many ATC learn the job while in the military, but many people who join the military don't end up with the job they want, so if you decide to join make sure you have it in writing that you are only joining to be ATC.

Answer 6

have you not seen movies like airplane and die hard the one in the airport?
if the radar goes down you have to be able to remember the position of all aircraft in your sector, just pray on a good day you have one or no aircraft when radar goes down.
but if you like a challenge then look for an old game called air traffic control, it was on the XX spectrum about 20 years ago or more, i got a copy and i never loaded it.
for the right price i can organize the sale to you of the game if you can't find a more modern game. (I'm talking the game, the ZX spectrum and loads of other games) your choice.
oh and anyone reporting this as a violation, OK it may be but I'm just offering a solution to the guys problem. I'm not actually advertising an item for sale, I'm just saying if needed i can sell my system to the asker.
so report this if you want to be literal or just let it slide.

Answer 7

Yes it is difficult. It is a very stressful job and a lot of responsibilty. They deal with thousands of lifes each day and have to guide each plane around the airspace. An accident could eaily result in jail time if negligence is proven. It is good pay but rubbish working conditions

Answer 8

Bow down to all air traffic controllers. They are heroes. They are Gods.
--a pilot.

I don't think it takes any more than 2 years of specialized training
after a BS, but the job is notorious for having a high attrition rate.
It is simply demanding on the body and mind in too many ways.

Its all about caffeine and video games. Video games and caffeine.

Answer 9

* Nearly all air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency of the Federal Government.
* Replacement needs will account for most job openings, reflecting the large number of air traffic controllers who will be eligible to retire over the next decade.
* Competition to get into FAA training programs is expected to remain keen; however, graduates of these programs have good job prospects.
* Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits.

More details here

http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/trans02.shtml

Answer 10

Difficult to get into and one of the most stressful jobs in the world.