The FAA has frozen Controller pay for 5 years. They start new trainees at 8 something an hour. This is a short career. They force you out at 56 just when other careers are reaching their peak earning period. No respect for employees at all. They can cancel the vacation you have already paid for at the last minute. They think there are a lot of people available to replace the retiring experienced controllers. They will soon find that the candidates who could actually do this rather difficult and complicated job are capable of making a living elsewhere, with less stress on their physical and mental health. Not to mention better hours. The job market is pretty tight for smart, dedicated people right now. The unemployment rate is quite low. People that wanted to be controllers are now turning down the job due to the anti-worker mentality of the FAA. GOOD LUCK FLYING PUBLIC !!
2006-11-02 00:41:41 · 3 answers · asked by Air Traffic Controller in Texas 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
You guys have a tough and thankless job! I have a friend who was the youngest air traffic controller in Oakland, Ca, at age 23. He retired after 6 years because he got so burned out. Your hours and conditions are horrendous! I think it all goes back to the Controller strike in 1981. I also think you guys can blame your union. They used to be a good thing, when they first came into being, now, they are just a pain in the posterior! Sorry I don't have an answer for it all, but I sympathize.
2006-11-02 00:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by MamaSunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can thank the Unions for your salary and negotiated retirement. The FAA isn't any different than any other government agency - except they are Union driven, which by the way got the controllers all fired when they went on strike!! Where was your great Union then???.... If you are unhappy in your career choice, then you need to move on. Find other employment.
2006-11-02 08:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by tampico 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Blame Reagan. He fired all the air traffic controllers in 1981 (or thereabouts) and it's been downhill for the unions ever since.
EDIT:
Yep - it was 1981. http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id296.htm
2006-11-02 08:43:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋