ATC Questions

teetee · March 2nd, 2008, 00:00

Okay, I am interested in learning more about this career. My husband has applied to become one and I have been reading up to know what will be expected of me and the family if he were to get the job (such as no vacation, not seeing daddy and such).

First: Why is there such a HIGH drop out rate?

Second: There are lots of people talking about pay and how you are treated and such (part of the reason for drop out I am sure); however, is the bad environment EVERYWHERE or are some state worse?

Third: How does being a pilot help with ATC? Does it give you more point in the hiring process?

Third: Worrier for a wife but...are the medical benefits good?

Fourth: What does training entail once he leaves OKC?

Thanks for reading and sorry if these are nOOb questions or been asked other places...I have looked but not found them!

Fox Xray · March 2nd, 2008, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by teetee

Okay, I am interested in learning more about this career. My husband has applied to become one and I have been reading up to know what will be expected of me and the family if he were to get the job (such as no vacation, not seeing daddy and such).

First: Why is there such a HIGH drop out rate?

Lot's of reasons... more so now for pay. Many people simply cannot do the job, they either fail or see the writing on the wall and quit. Lately it has been money, a lot of people have the opinion that they can make the same $$$ and not have to work nights, weekends, holidays, or put up with the BS of the job.

Second: There are lots of people talking about pay and how you are treated and such (part of the reason for drop out I am sure); however, is the bad environment EVERYWHERE or are some state worse?

Some places are better the others... the big facilities where the big $$$ is all seem to be bad. I work at one of the busiest centers and overall things blow. The smaller facilities it depends more on the manager, a good one makes things really good, a bad one really bad. In a big place there are so many levels of management one madman can't reign over everything as much.

Third: How does being a pilot help with ATC? Does it give you more point in the hiring process?

I don't think it helps with being hired (not really sure though) but the knowledge will help in basic training, understanding the NAS, etc.

Third: Worrier for a wife but...are the medical benefits good?

The Gov't benefits package is very good, I have friends in various civil service jobs and union jobs and the Gov't package is very good compared to what others are offered. The only thing lacking in my opinion is the dental is not good as it could be...

Fourth: What does training entail once he leaves OKC?

Depends on where you are assigned... in my center you can expect several weeks of classroom upon reporting followed by several months of training in the dysim lab followed by a few years of OJT on live traffic.

Thanks for reading and sorry if these are nOOb questions or been asked other places...I have looked but not found them!

dpiatek · March 2nd, 2008, 13:32

Thanks for the great response Fox_Xray. I was wondering some of these same questions myself. I kind of had a hunch that a lot of the complaints about ATC come from those controllers working at the busiest airports. I'm hoping the first airport I get selected for is small to mid-size for that reason as I think that would be the best way to learn the ropes.

Ryan Wesley Hawkins · March 2nd, 2008, 14:06

Hi. Could someone please tell me the average salary of an ALP.

Thanks

ATC RET 2003 · March 2nd, 2008, 15:43

Ummmm... what's an ALP?

teetee · March 2nd, 2008, 18:23

Thanks for all the GREAT answers.

Beehive · March 2nd, 2008, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATC RET 2003

Ummmm... what's an ALP?

My guess is- AirLine Pilot. Yes...No...Maybe so?

Ryan Wesley Hawkins · March 2nd, 2008, 23:52

Yip, that is correct. (thats what some of us down here in South Africa call them)

Ryan Wesley Hawkins · March 3rd, 2008, 11:09

Another thing. If one is color blind can they become an air traffic controller?

ATC RET 2003 · March 3rd, 2008, 12:26

Ohhhh... OK.... I was thinking in terms of ATC stuff and I had never heard of the abbreviation ALP.

Sorry, I don't know what airline pilots earn.

As for your second question, I also don't know anything about the medical
requirements for South African controllers.

Sorry, again.

Ryan Wesley Hawkins · March 3rd, 2008, 12:51

Thanks anyway