Need direction; some questions: majors, schools, gen. info..

[dheminger722]

Originally Posted by Fox Xray

I never intend to try and scare anyone but I don't think it should be sugar coated either. I would say that the one place in Florida that new hires should not be sent is MIA tower/tracon. Those types of environments are very difficult to learn to be a controller. They are very busy, very complex, and usually short staffed. This leads to delayed inconsistent training, training on traffic way above what someone starting out should work on, and in general is not a great scenario. The other Florida options are all good places to go to learn the job.

Just my $.02

Thanks for the insite on the MIA locations.. Hopefully I'll be put somewhere else to start just to get the experience that is my main Idea for taking any ATC job is to obtain the Experience get the CPC then look to move out if possible. Thanks

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

so heres an update:

ive since called Miami-Dade College because they are one of the 13 approved schools of the FAA for ATC. apparently im in good shape to transfer down there. all ill need to take is a simple college level algebra class and another english class and ill be on my way. its not ridiculously expensive either. they say that it is a 2 year program as well so i could be in and out soon i hope.

for the most part, i think ive narrowed it all down to that. they are sending me alot of material via the mail about the aviation department there too. the degree that the advisor talked with me about was Aviation Administration and thats what she said ATC fell under.

am i on the right page now?

[dheminger722]

Originally Posted by CampbellsChunkySoupra

so heres an update:

ive since called Miami-Dade College because they are one of the 13 approved schools of the FAA for ATC. apparently im in good shape to transfer down there. all ill need to take is a simple college level algebra class and another english class and ill be on my way. its not ridiculously expensive either. they say that it is a 2 year program as well so i could be in and out soon i hope.

for the most part, i think ive narrowed it all down to that. they are sending me alot of material via the mail about the aviation department there too. the degree that the advisor talked with me about was Aviation Administration and thats what she said ATC fell under.

am i on the right page now?

Unless you just really really want to go to school for this go for it.. But I think you would be wasting your money if you go to school to a cti school.. Might as well go to school in like a business degree and then just apply for the ots method to get into atc instead of going and getting a degree that is limited to a one plan method and no other option but to succeed.. If you get a degree in something else then you can have a plan A and a plan B.. You dont want to spend 10k to find out you were washed out after a year then what?

[CampbellsChunkySoupra]

well, im considering the military as a way to get into ATC. my only downfall is that i dont want to end up at some fricking AFB in montana or utah or something like that. id like to do the CTI training, but everyone here tells me that the FAA is being a royal PITA when it comes to getting a job right when u graduate; and if u are lucky enough to get the job, u wont get paid anything close to what you'll want. i also keep reading that there are plans that are being worked on to get the FAA to see the ATC side of things, however i dont konw much about that either.

can u explain to me more about the "OTS method?"

[rickyrhodesii]

Originally Posted by CampbellsChunkySoupra

well, im considering the military as a way to get into ATC. my only downfall is that i dont want to end up at some fricking AFB in montana or utah or something like that. id like to do the CTI training, but everyone here tells me that the FAA is being a royal PITA when it comes to getting a job right when u graduate;

I hate to tell you, but the military isn't going to be any better when it comes to getting an assignment you want. I can only speak for the Air Force, so...the AF is going to send you where they need you. It may be Cannon AFB in New Mexico or it could be Travis AFB in California.

There are a few positive points though. You fill out a "dream sheet" of 8 locations you'd like to go and the AF will try and match you to one of your preferences. No guarantee though.

The other option is an assignment swap. I can't remember the exact specifics, but after you receive your assignment in tech school you can swap with someone else if your graduation dates are within a month.

Hope this helps a little.