Anyone have experience in Air Traffic Control?

Anybody have any experience with civilian air traffic control? I am looking at potential jobs if/when I get out of the military, and had some questions about qualifications/pre-requisites for getting hired, etc...just generally how one would get into this field.

 

Come on, theres 1693pages of members...not sure how many that is, but its a lot! Lol, someone has to have been/ is in the ATC field at one point. Lol.

 

http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/

Do you have ATC time in the military?

 

...sorry no experience, ...though did do some work evaluating performance of new air traffic management systems last year.. aside from some lingo, ...not sure i can help - ...try FAA or ICAO?...

 

Well, yes and no. Not the actual Air Traffic control MOS...just a dumb ol' 11B here, lol. I do however have a fair amount of experience with Pathfinder units and CAS, etc in combat...curious if any of this would help me with getting a civilian ATC job. Obviously, there is a degree involved here, which I dont have, I was just curious if I am wasting my time, barking up the wrong tree, so-to-speak.

As far as the faa website...well, that's why I was looking for firsthand experience. I read through the requirements for various positions, just curious of different peoples advice here.

Ultimately, this is one of several career fields I am looking into, just seeing what my options are.

 

Maybe I should know this, if I am looking to get a job in the field, lol..but what is ICAO?

 

There's something I hadn't noticed before...maximum age of 31. I am about to turn 31 this year. When it says "in most cases up until age 31"...umm, what would be exceptions of this rule?

 

I was army ATC for 5 years, got out in 04...

I think the lingo is " have not reached your 31st birthday."

Since you don't have any experience, a CTO, or an ATCS card, you would need to enroll in a CTI school that provides ATC certification. Since you're close to the age req, you'd never graduate before losing eligibility due to age.

Only logical route for you would be to reclass to 15Q and retire at 20 years... After that the FAA will consider employing you after the 31 rule.

Pathfinder although fun doesn't mean squat to the FAA.

 

meanwhile, in atlanta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aBWSHDFx3M

 

^^yeah, I definitely realize that Pathfinder is a huge stretch to civilian ATC jobs. Really just throwing out ideas(more, playing with ideas that were thrown out to me). Ultimately...that whole 31-year old age limit kills the idea anyways.

 

web based atc simulator


http://atc-sim.com/

 

brought out my shovel. any other controllers on here? i is wun

 

no experience yet but im currently in flight school so i can become a pilot

 

Look into Aircraft Dispatcher, no age restrictions, entry level jobs, one of the better ones-SKYWEST don't pay as well, however you are building experience. Once experienced, 2yrs or so, you can apply for major airline or FEDEX, UPS ect... Money is good once you reach that level, start 45K - 100+K year.

You are considered part of the flight crew, aka the boss on the ground. Since you are part of the flight crew you WILL NEED an FAA license. Like a pilot your working hours with be restricted by law.

Flights conducted under Part 121 of the FAA regulations require the signature of the Dispatcher and Pilot before it can depart. The duties are as follows but not limited too, fuel loads, passenger/freight loads, flight plans, weather ect............

99.99 percent of the jobs require you have the license prior to application or consideration. There are exceptions such a Southwest Airlines, which hires from within first for there assist. dispatcher positions. Some guy/gals come, taking any job, in with the license then apply internally when positions come available. However many within SWA as OPS agents or schedulers which as part of the job work in conjunction with Dispatch. Apply internally, interview if successful awarded the assist position, have 6mons-1yrs to get the FAA Dispatchers lic. while working. I would suggest getting it ahead of time, 5-6 week course, then apply. Most schools have placement services to open the doors for their students.

Dispatcher schools are many, one of the best is Sheffields out of Florida.

BTW, SWA loves Military applicants and the course I've suggested in how I started decades ago. I did eventually transition into the Left-seat and ready to retire.

Aircraft Dispatchers are required in Part121 operations and soon
to be required in all commercial aircraft operations. So job security is good. It is a job most people have no knowledge of, but a great job when coupled with a great company.

How this help and thank you for your service....

Regards.........8sm

 

I should have specified, im currently an faa controller, just seeing if there are any more on here lol.