Don't think I'm gonna pass training

[PurduePilot]

Folks:

I failed my evaluation on Thursday. I thought I ran a pretty good scenario for the examiner. I played it very conservatively and "over separated" the aircraft and allowed aircraft to stack up at the threshold of the runway. I have a retake on Tuesday, but even if I pass that I don't think I'm going to my facility.

At this point, I don't think ATC is for me. I honestly don't think I have the mind for this line of work. I've found out that I'm more of a pilot than a controller.

It just sucks going from one job where you've been called their "best instructor/pilot" and getting nothing but glowing reviews from my students to getting hammered everyday in training.

On the plus side, I do have an interview lined up with TransStates on April 3rd.

Is there any shame in saying that you can't do something and tossing in the towel?

[OneNineHundy]

"Is there any shame in saying that you can't do something and tossing in the towel?"

I don't think so at all, I believe that it takes a big man to admit that they are just not cut out for something. If you know in your heart of hearts that you did all you could and worked hard then its a good decision.

Good luck to you at TransStates, let us know how everything goes.

OneNineHundy

[PurduePilot]

I've worked 2x as hard as anyone in that class, even staying after class to run (and rerun) scenarios.

I just can't see the "picture," "holes," and other things that are crucial to being a good controller. It's like that Magic Eye picture that some people can see and other's can't. I'm also "too slow in decision making." While my decision making speed is fine for flying, I just can't seem to speed up my thinking to ATC level.

I have a firm standing on all the regulations and phraseology. That is no problem for me.

[Cruise]

I'm sorry to hear this. Good luck on your next evaluation......don't automatically give up. I'm sure you've worked very hard to get to this point. It would be unfortunate for you to just walk away w/out a second chance at passing.

But hey, I really have no clue what it takes to pass your exams/evals. Does failing one eval. automatically disqualify you from getting your assigned facility?


Another thing, like you said, you've got options. And in this industry, having options is huge.

[Flyboy 4]

There is a fine line between rising to a challenge and knowing your limitations. Just be true to yourself. If you still have the desire and are making improved progress - gut it out.

I had a tough job that a lot of people can't do (Paramedic) and I have seen new guys come and go. I trained a lot of new guys over the years, some could cut it, some could fake it. The ones that were faking it - wound up the biggest complainers taking issue with what ever issue the could find and became miserable in this career field, Others were true to themselves and went back to what they use to do, some got transferred to other areas of public safety some just went on to other challenges in life and have done very well. Those that transferred or moved on, I respected and saw no shame in making those choices. The ones that stayed and faked it, what a shame for them and the department.
Good Luck to you either way, I hoped I helped.

[surreal1221]

Good luck.

Getting some self-confidence early in your career. . . this is your chance. . . otherwise you may be having much larger troubles and second guessing your decisions when lives are on the line. It's a harsh reality, but build up your own confidence in your ability in the training environment, so that you can have the same confidence in the field.

Or - go fly planes.

[queeno]

i would not give up because you haveing trouble in la la land all you have to do is pass.wait untill your controlling real aircraft before you decide to give it up.you think your the only person who struggled througt training?well welcome to the club most of us had some trouble in our training.their is nothing wrong with makeing mistakes as long as you learn somthing from it.atc is not easy and it cant be learned in a coulpe months in a cti of faa course, it some times takes years of training with real traffic you learn from real controllers to check out.dont give up before you get a chance to do the real job, after that if you dont think its for you their is in shame in leaving atc isnt for everyone.this is 27 year of atc speaking.

queeno
atcs/c90

[PurduePilot]

Thanks for all your support.

I guess I'm just frustrated and depressed because this has been my life for the past two months. I packed everything up, said goodbye to friends, and came down to a city I knew I'd rather not be in, to pursue a job that I'd had high hopes for.

What I encountered was hostile instructors and a super fast paced curriculum, that I'd admit I struggled to keep up with at times. When my other classmates went out drinking on the weekends, I stayed in to study. I was undeterred and kept my head down; no matter how much flack I took from the instructors I was determined to make this work.

Class ran from 7am to 3:30pm and by 3:30pm I was both mentally and physically exhausted. However, I was determined to pass my exam. So, I stayed behind to run and rerun the day's scenarios.

Because I have devoted so much to this, I'm going to give it my all on Tuesday. I won't lie and say there wasn't a time during training when I kept asking myself, "am in the right career field?"

I thought I could make it happen because there are people in this industry with no college degree and who haven't ever been in an airplane. Maybe I was naive in thinking I could do this job with my 10 years of flying experience and 4 year degree.

I know it's cliche to say that failure is not in my vocabulary. I have always seen things to their conclusion, be it good or bad. However, I do have to be realistic here. Maybe some people aren't cut out to be controllers. Maybe I am more of a pilot.

At this point, all I want to do is just get the heck out of OKC and back to my family/friends. All my classmates have graduated and I'm down here alone.

Thanks for listening.

[DE727UPS]

"I guess I'm just frustrated and depressed because this has been my life for the past two months. I packed everything up, said goodbye to friends, and came down to a city I knew I'd rather not be in, to pursue a job that I'd had high hopes for."

Wow, you sound like me in 1985. I remember feeling like I came a long way through the process. If they had just made the final week a little easier....

Anyhow, only about 20% of my class got through the screen. I did just well enough to be offered an ATA job at LA TRACON, and did that for about a year. It's was a great experience, I wouldn't trade it for anything, but all the controllers told me I should get back into flying. Which I did.

Was one of the smarter moves I ever made...

[Fox Xray]

This is tough... I'm sorry to hear about your struggles in OKC. I'll begin by telling you that OKC is nothing like being at your facility. It's just one of those things that you have to get through, I think that you should go to your facility and try things out there, that is the only way I really feel you will know if this job is for you.

If you decide not to make a career out of ATC in no way should you hang your head... ATC is a strange career and it is not for everybody. You cannot imagine the amount of people I have seen leave this job, I have never experienced it in any other form in anything I did prior to this. Back when I first hired on I reported to my facility and there 12 trainees in front of me. I was told to sit back because it would be a year or more before I begin training... well, two months later all 12 had either quit or failed and guess who was on deck. I thought it was all over... it was not easy. I had many bad days my friend... days when I left I did not want to go back. It takes it's toll on relationships and one's well being. Training in ATC sucks... you get pounded from every direction... until one experiences it first hand you cannot understand it. The training moves at a mind numbing pace, that is true. I went through OKC for enroute and I would estimate that the amount of material we had to learn was equal to a year of college... in three months. I wanted to cry.

I'll add this... I've seen people come in who started off terrible, barely made it through OKC, they couldn't separate two planes in 1000 miles of airspace. BUT... one day they just "saw" it and turned out to be great controllers.

I think you should hang in there... get through Tuesday and give your facility a try.

Best of luck to you.

[OneNineHundy]

Excellent decision to give it another crack. Fingers crossed for Tuesday Bud.

[falconvalley]

Don't give up. Just like in flying, fight the whole way. If you should decide that you just don't want to do ATC, at least you're marketable as a pilot!

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Keep us posted!

maybe its time to get a 6pack and watch "Pushing Tin".

[ATC RET 2003]

You've gotten a ton of encouragement here from everyone... plus some excellent advice from some current controllers and others who have been down the path you're taking now. I would definitely agree that you should give the facility a try if you can... there IS a huge difference between real airplanes and those in Bravoland/Tango Center.

From my time in OKC years and years ago, it sounds as if it's STILL possible to "over-study".

Spend this afternoon brushing up on those things that you already know that you know, then head out to the Red Dog (or wherever the current "hot spot" is) and slam back a few... don't overdo THAT either, though!

Get a good night's sleep then go in tomorrow and kick the hell out of the problem!

[flyhigh]

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

maybe its time to get a 6pack and watch "Pushing Tin".

heck, if nobody else wants to do that then i will


good luck Tuesday!!

[Toria]

Originally Posted by Fox Xray

I'll add this... I've seen people come in who started off terrible, barely made it through OKC, they couldn't separate two planes in 1000 miles of airspace. BUT... one day they just "saw" it and turned out to be great controllers.

I agree. The whole thing may come together for you in a blinding instant....and you will just "get it". Your brain never turns off, even when you are sleeping it will work for you solving problems and putting things together. If this is where your heart is at, don't stop now. Every professional has had moments where they questioned their ability, that is human nature. Best of luck in whatever you choose. Toria

[Cruise]

GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!

[PurduePilot]

I PASSED!!!!

You guys were right, the picture just suddenly clicked! I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden everything came together.

My decision making ability speed still could use a little speeding up, but overall I played a good problem for the examiner.

Thanks for your support!!

[Fox Xray]

Congratulations... !


Things will be better in the real world at your facility. Remember ... we all have bad or frustrating days. I have had days where the first thing I did was issue a clearance putting two together. My next move (after prying them apart) was to go home sick. It just was not going to be a good day. Know your limitations... everyone can have a bad day.

Thanks for posting the good news.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

I PASSED!!!!

You guys were right, the picture just suddenly clicked! I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden everything came together.

My decision making ability speed still could use a little speeding up, but overall I played a good problem for the examiner.

Thanks for your support!!

Kick butt bro! Congrats!

[desertdog71]

Good job sticking with it. Congrats

[HH-60CC]

Awesome! Congrats!

[Zoom]

Nice job, dude. That's got to feel pretty darn good!

[ATC RET 2003]

WOO-HOOO!!!

Congratulations!!! Let us know how things go at your facility.

[BajtheJino]

Originally Posted by PurduePilot

Is there any shame in saying that you can't do something and tossing in the towel?

No. Thats a sign of true maturity and responsibility.