ATC New hire

[PurduePilot]

I'm an ATC new hire for CAK Tower. I got the call last week and the "Welcome Packet" in the mail today. I start school in Oklahoma City on the 23rd.

Any tips for surviving school? Anyone from the CAK area? I'll be new to the area, and know no one there. I'd like some tips for "night life" (although with my luck I'll be working the graveyard shift)?

Thanks!

- Neil Harrison

[surreal1221]

Well congrats. . .

www.atccti.com will have all the information you will need.

Enjoy the B scale.

[PurduePilot]

Thanks!

I know the B-Scale sucks, but it's still worlds better than what I would be making at a regional airline. It's almost double the starting salary of a 1st year FO. I would take me nearly 5 years at an airline to make what I'll be making as an ATC.

I don't think the payscale will stay this "low" for long. Speaking of pay, I just learned that no government employee can make more than the President -- so I've got to hope that the Congress ups his pay. ;-)

[surreal1221]

Yeah, well. To each their own. NATCA worked hard, and they are still working hard, to get the career field back to where it needs to be. . . but . . . still have people diving in even under the horrible work rules.

The FAA has all the CTI students right where they want them, with no options. It's too bad, but fortunately some are willing to say hell no.

[PurduePilot]

How so?

[surreal1221]

To which statement?

How so did NATCA work hard to try to save the financial, work rules, and QOL of the profession?

How so ... does the FAA have CTI graduates right where they want them, with no options (minus those who have CPL, and some CFI ability)?

Any aviation degree is a waste, and the ATC-CTI degree is even more of a waste. . .one I'm sad to say I have put in the fire, but I'm not going to lower my standards of the profession just so I can go and work for an employer that has very little respect for their employees - especially as a civil servant.

Or is there another How so I missed?

I'm not trying to attack you, I'm just disappointed that others are not seeing the light in this matter. I also understand that there are mouths to feed, at least for those who have families, so I respect their decisions to take the job offer. But in the end, return on investment will be significantly hire in other career fields. The FAA shows a high horse mentality towards their new ATC'rs, especially when they are hiring contract pseudo pilots at a higher hourly rate than the newly picked, college degree earning air traffic trainees at MMAC in OKC. Just a disgrace in my opinion, and will only lead to further damage of our NAS.

A lot of highly qualified applicants are turning their backs on the career due to the latest changes. Just not enough are doing it yet.

PHEW. . . Got that all off my chest. I'm just going to keep my mouth shut. After 5 years of going for the career, 1 year left before I was to finish, the FAA ####s all over the careerfield, strips and urinates on a contract, and then instates a B-scale. You can understand my anger against the administration, AND talks of privatization. No thanks, not anymore. You take all the benefits of having the job, I don't want it.

[Fox Xray]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

Any tips for surviving school?

I first want to say congratulations ... you are in your first steps of joining an elite profession.

While in OKC, study your map. Working for the Gov't will be an adjustment, especially if you are coming from private industry. Stay focused on getting through OKC, don't get caught up in all the B.S. going on right now between the union and the FAA, you have a long career ahead of you and you'll have plenty of time to go down that road. Study your map. In OKC there is a strip of college bars in an area called brick town or something, supposed to be pretty good, you'll find that you and your classmates will do things together outside of the academy. Study your map.

Things still really blow out in the field ... I think our next paychecks will be the first where we see our pay cuts in the form of our Controller Incentive Pay (CIP) go away. Of course managers, staff people, and everyone else who shouldn't be getting it in the first place will still be getting it... let me get back on subject. Study your map. When in OKC and when you report to your facility keep your mouth closed and your ears open. A lot of very seasoned people are packing it in due to the new imposed work rules, try and learn what you can from these people before they retire... knowledge like that cannot be found in books. Join Natca.

Welcome aboard and best of luck to you... and don't forget ...

STUDY YOUR MAP !

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

Anyone from the CAK area?

Try talkin to Complexhiaviator Or however he spells it!

[PurduePilot]

Surreal:

Can't your complaints be applied to just about any government agency?

FYI... I'm a 1000+ hour CFI. In addition, I have applications in with a multitude of graduate schools for PoliSci. I figure that I'll give the ATC thing a whirl for a year and if it sucks as much as you say, I'll go with plan B which will be graduate school and pursue a career path in that arena.

[surreal1221]

Yes, they can be now. These weren't issues in the ATC careerfield in the past decades.

CAK a level 5 or 6?

[E6BAV8R]

Comin to OKC huh? What part will you be in?

[Doug Taylor]

Life's an adventure, dive in, enjoy and STUDY YOUR MAPS! And report about your progress, regularly. I'm looking forward to updates!

[adreamer]

Can someone explain to me, Does study your map means "memorized the sectional, intersections, airways...etc?"

just wondering

[Fox Xray]

Originally Posted by adreamer

Can someone explain to me, Does study your map means "memorized the sectional, intersections, airways...etc?"

just wondering

Yes ... depending on your specialty (tower, tracon, ARTCC) you are given an area of specialization, a group of sectors you will be working. You are given a set time (generally a week or two) to learn that airspace like the back of your hand. You have to memorize every single aspect about the airspace, every navaid, airway, MEA, MOCA, surrounding sectors, etc, then you are given a blank piece of paper and have to draw it with a better then 90% grade.

Knowing your map is one of the biggest factors in success. Not only is knowing your airspace part of your job and is mandatory for doing it well, but when I sit down and train someone and start asking them questions on the map their answers tell me if they are prepared or not.

[PurduePilot]

I will post regular updates on the training aspect. I'll try to take some pictures, but I believe that will probably be a no-no in government buildings.

[FiveO]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

I'm an ATC new hire for CAK Tower.

That is very very cool. I wish you nothing but the best of luck. Keep us informed as to how everything is going.

[triple7]

Dont forget to study your map...lol. Hes right. My buddy just went through OKC..hes in a center now. He definitely studied his map....and still does now. Hes being trained on the floor now, but had to work his a$$ off to get there, and more than a couple times feared washing out. I am sure you will be fine....just work hard and stay focused. If youd like to get in touch with him via email pm me and ill get you in touch.

[wildfreightess]

Congrats!! Good luck. BTW, air traffic controllers are hot!

[Fox Xray]

[PurduePilot]

Good evening, everyone!

Today was my first day at ATC school in OKC. I was a little nervous going into class because I didn't know what to expect.

I immediately hit it off with many of my classmates. I think everyone is in the same boat, in that no one knows anyone else. I met one other person from Purdue (going to DuPage tower). Mostly everyone else is from the University of Anchorage or Beaver College. Out of the 24 people in my class, two are going to NY Tracon and I believe the rest are going to towers throughout the country. The towers include: ANC, GSO, MLI, HLN, and others.

The day started out with introductions from the instructors and then we moved into a discussion about how the course is going to go, travel (don't use the government travel card to buy that HDTV!), HR, the usual blizzard of paperwork (I-9 forms, direct deposit, affidavits), before finally taking the oath of office.

Shortly, thereafter we broke for lunch and got our Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center IDs. Since no one wanted to be left out, we had like 8 people around a 4-top! One FAA employee was eating (alone) at a table next to us was kind enough to vacate his table so we could put the two together.

As we were returning from lunch, I ran into a kid I haven't seen since college. After about 15 minutes of shooting the breeze, it turns out he's going to MIA tower (the real MIA... level 12) right out of the gate. He should be released to his facility in about two weeks, so he's just about done here.

Upon returning we took a pretest just to measure our ATC/aviation knowledge. It was the easiest test I've taken. I think that's from my deep aviation background (having 1100 hours helps). The questions ranged from "what's a pointout" to an aircraft ID to "carb icing does what to an aircraft."

After the test we had the zero-tolerance policy to sexual harassment and racism spiel. I think many of our flight crews here would find themselves in hot water if some of the cockpit shannigans made it to the Tower. :-)

Then that was the day.

Tommorow should be a shorter day with a small lecture and a ATSAT. I already took something similar and I think someone told me I could opt out if I choose (the instructors didn't say anything about that so I'll ask tommorow).

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! I hope I'm not giving away vital National Security secrets or anything.

Have a good night!

[oktex88]

Yeah go to Bricktown in downtown OKC! I recommend eatting at Crabtown!

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by oktex88

Yeah go to Bricktown in downtown OKC! I recommend eatting at Crabtown!

If he (they) can afford it. . .

[PurduePilot]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

If he (they) can afford it. . .

I don't want to start a flame war or anything... but I don't mind the pay. I know it's low compared to years before but there people out there who put their lives (and sometimes their families' lives) on the line everyday for less.

In the Secret Service (under PPD) there is one guy designated to put him/herself in the line of fire and that's his/her only role and that person makes less than I do (once I get to the facility).

I'm just saying is all... being in cushy tower and getting paid $36k/year without threat to myself/family isn't all bad.

[adreamer]

Check your PM

[Fox Xray]

The low pay and lack of per diem for students attending the academy is an embarrassment for the FAA. It is the ONLY Gov't job where your costs aren't covered on Gov't time. Even those secret service agents when they are sent away for training and away from home on detail are paid per diem.

How many VRA's do you have in your class ??? Probably far less then before the FAA cut the pay. Why is that ? When I attended the academy 60%-70% were VRA. (I was not) The vets who have risked their lives for their country and expected to leave the service and get some payback with a well paying job are turning the job down, they can't afford to take the job. The wage being paid at the academy is at the poverty level. Who can support a family of four away from home for 3 months on 18K ? ... paying bills at home AND in OKC...

The low pay may work in some parts of the country but in your busy facilities, such as your classmates going to N90, they won't be able to dream about buying a house on Long Island New York. They won't get the 10% CIP (Controller Incentive Pay) that was created to help controllers afford to live in high cost areas. Of course the CIP is being kept by every useless POS in the agency except the controllers working the traffic.

I work in one of the busiest level 12 centers in the nation and have already seen 8 new hires quit... they all said the same thing, the new low pay is not worth the stress and hassle, they can make as much or more somewhere else without the stress and nonsense of being a controller.

There is no such thing as a "cushy" tower... in this job when you are working traffic, from a level 6 tower to a level 12 center, you have a tremendous responsibility and should fairly compensated for it.