Ahhhhh... back to the questions!
Quote:
Originally Posted by hereitcomes  1. How much free time do ATCs actually have to pursue outside interests? I've heard of some people launching careers on the side, even while working full-time as controllers, and having plenty of time for traveling... which almost sounded too good to be true.
2. What's the approximate male-female ratio and representation of minorities in the workforce? |
Fox Xray answered question #1 quite well based on a 2-2-1, which I also spent the bulk of my career working. I also worked an AWS (or compressed) schedule for several years, though it isn't likely to be seen again anytime soon. It was a 2-1-2-2, which was like a 2-2-1 with an extra day off thrown into the middle of the week.
I did do a stretch of scheduled 6-day weeks right after the strike, but never the amount that CJ and others are doing these days. I agree with CJ that, under those circumstances, almost all of your "free time" is spent getting ready for the next shift... I certainly found that to be true for me.
The bottom line seems to be that any schedule that doesn't involve OT will usually allow enough time for outside interests.
As far as people launching careers on the side, I know many who did. There may also have been many more who did but I wasn't aware of it. However, bringing your "other career" into the facility can put you into disfavor with your coworkers and your employer. I saw both happen.
I do not know the answer to question #2 ... maybe the FAA website has some info about it.