Life as an ATC

[positiveg]

I am thinking about becoming an ATC to support my flying. My actual dream is to fly professionally but with the money ATCs make I could afford flight training. Could someone here that is an ATC describe a little how life as an ATC is. And also what a typical day would be like? It seems like all ATCs do is stare at that screen all day and direct traffic. Then again, that is what I do all day minus the traffic part.

[RiddlePilot]

If you want to give it a shot, check out the dark side of VATSIM. Pick yourself an ARTCC that has an inclusive training department, and work your way up through the ranks. If you want to get a taste of the real world, try and get a tour of your local facility. If you're from the US, they allow it sometimes and not others, based on the current security color. I don't know how it works in Europe with the privatized system.

=(Next section applies only if you're in the US)=
Remember though, to work as a real world controller, you must attend an approved CTI school (of which there are only a few). You must be hired before you turn 32 (I think thats what it is). But once you reach the certified level in your ARTCC, the money flows.
As far as schedule goes, I've heard different things, based on the level of traffic. I've heard 4 hour shifts in the busy TRACONs, and 8 hour shifts in less busy areas, with 2 hours on, 2 hours off.

If any of this info is incorrect, please feel free to correct me.

[positiveg]

I'm a student controller at VATSIM. It is not easy , but I think my main problem is asrc and not the actual ATC duties. What is most appealing to me in ATC is the money. It is unbelieveable how highly-paid you can be when you start off. However, life is not all about money and I don't know if I would be happy doing this type of work.

It is also not appealing to me the amount of qualifications and testing that needs to be down in order for me to even qualify for a position. It is also not appealing that the age of retirement is 56 years old with an extension to 61 for certain positions.

Yet, it is still an aviation job. I would still be around airplane and directing them to their desinations. Most controllers get to come home every night too.

I wouldn't mind being an ATC. The only fear I have is to not be able to live my dream of being a pilot afterwards. Imagine how hard it would be to go from a $100,000+ to a $32,000 paying job. By then I will probably have a wife and maybe kids already, how will it affect them.

It sucks growing up. Life is so much easier when your a kid.:)

[flyinggriffin]

Go over to Avweb.com and look up the columns "Say Again" by Don Brown.

This link should give you the index of his columns. Read them and then it should give you a taste of life in the dark room.


http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182651-1.html

[metro752]

SAY AGAIN!?!

Yeah that Don Brown stuff is awesome!

VATSIM ASRC functions will come to you, and it will be easy compared to getting some "noobs" to slow up and get in a nice line for arrival.


http://www.fsuniverse.com/meyer/abov.../meyer_sig.jpg

[Wolfman]

>I am thinking about becoming an ATC to support my flying. My
>actual dream is to fly professionally but with the money
>ATCs make I could afford flight training. Could someone here
>that is an ATC describe a little how life as an ATC is. And
>also what a typical day would be like? It seems like all
>ATCs do is stare at that screen all day and direct traffic.
>Then again, that is what I do all day minus the traffic
>part.


What a coincidence cause i am studying to become an Air Traffic Controller as well and i also want to take flying lessons to be a pilot. :-)

[positiveg]

In reference to the "dark room". Do ATCs just stay in a tower all day staring at a screen directing traffic or does it get better than that.

[Wolfman]

It does get better, dont worry. :-)

[positiveg]

In which ways though?

[saabpilot98]

Positiveg, a couple of your sentences are very telling about what your priorities are and therein lays the first of many life lessons you will learn. "What is most appealing to me in ATC is the money" and "It is also not appealing to me the amount of qualifications and testing that needs to be down in order for me to even qualify for a position." In this thread, and the Aeronautical Engineer thread before it, you are asking about jobs that pay very well, but take extensive study and will be difficult to achieve. If you decide what to do just to chase the money, you'll invest a lot of time and energy and the returns won't be near what you expected in the end. The good paying jobs in aviation aren't going to be given to you will little effort on your part. If that were the case, everyone would be getting jobs in aviation. In most cases it takes a lot of education and a lot of time to achieve. Along the way you'll go through periods of feast and/or famine. That's part of the weeding out process, to separate the ones only after the money from the ones who really want the job and lifestyle.

I'll use my experiences as an example. All I really want to do is fly airplanes. I went to Oklahoma State to learn to fly. I did the flight instructor thing, flew freight, and eventually got on with American Eagle. The first year pay Eagle is atrocious, but I'm at a stable airline and the pay does get better. Along the way, I did other things to further my aviation career. I worked as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer in the military and eventually got a commission. I obtained a Master's degree. I got activated for Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom and will probably stay on civil service for another couple of years until the airline industry recovers from it's current ills. Baring any unforseen medical problems, I'll fly airplanes for the rest of my life. My wife and I pull in 100,000+ and we have a good quality of life. Our retirement sources are taken care of and the bills are paid. From start until now, it's been 14 years. I'm in my early 40's and have a lot longer to go. I've done aircraft maintenance, flew airplanes as a pilot and flight engineer, 3 years in airport operations, college for 6 years. I've had the famine and now getting the feast. I could have done better, could have done worse. I got a late start (I was 26), but I'd do it the same way all over again.

My suggestion is decide what you really want to do and let the money take care of itself. Pursue what you really want to do, set goals, plan ahead, and go after opportunities. Work hard, take responsibility, learn from mistakes, show you are worthy through actions and deeds, and the rewards will exceed what you expected.

Capt. Bob

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...411acc64b4.jpg