So I just applied for a job

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - So I just applied for a job

Posted: 7/19/2008 3:54:58 PM EDT

with the FAA. The job I applied for is Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee.

Looks to be an interesting job, with decent pay and benefits.

Anyone out there work as an Air Traffic Control Specialist?

Any tips, advice or recommended reading?? I know next to nothing about airports, let alone air traffic control.

Posted: 7/19/2008 3:56:40 PM EDT

[#1]

I know nothing of them, but good luck from the stress I have heard about.

Posted: 7/19/2008 3:58:18 PM EDT

[#2]

You don't really know what you applied for?

Your gonna crap your pants if they call you to take the test. I know people with degrees in ATC who dreaded that car ride home.

Posted: 7/19/2008 3:58:39 PM EDT

[#3]

Would you not have to attend a school of some sort BEFORE yu would apply for such a position...? I know it says trainee, but IMO, you should have at least a little know how. If not, go for it.....

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:00:04 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
You don't really know what you applied for?

Your gonna crap your pants if they call you to take the test. I know people with degrees in ATC who dreaded that car ride home.

Details?

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:00:50 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Would you not have to attend a school of some sort BEFORE yu would apply for such a position...? I know it says trainee, but IMO, you should have at least a little know how. If not, go for it.....

As a new Air Traffic Control Specialist, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Upon successful completion of the Academy initial training program and other employment requirements, you will continue your training at your assigned facility on a permanent appointment with a salary between $37,463 and $43,867.

from here:
jobs.faa.gov/asap_detail.asp?vac_id=107019

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:01:42 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
You don't really know what you applied for?

Your gonna crap your pants if they call you to take the test. I know people with degrees in ATC who dreaded that car ride home.

I'm goin to the book store to purchase a few books about air traffic control and read them to help prepare myself.

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:03:09 PM EDT

[#7]

The FAA is recruiting. If you're selected, you'll learn everything you need to know at the FAA academy in Oklahoma City. You'll be there long enough to move your family if that's a consideration.

Then, if you make the cut, you'll most likely be assigned either to an enroute center or a tower. The location may not be your first choice. If you pick out of the way, really hot, really cold, or just plain crappy locations you might get your first choice.

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:03:38 PM EDT

[#8]

Good luck! Should be an interesting job. Definitely is on the list of jobs I would do.

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:05:10 PM EDT

[#9]

Have fun sitting in a dark room all day

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:05:10 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
The FAA is recruiting. If you're selected, you'll learn everything you need to know at the FAA academy in Oklahoma City. You'll be there long enough to move your family if that's a consideration.

Then, if you make the cut, you'll most likely be assigned either to an enroute center or a tower. The location may not be your first choice. If you pick out of the way, really hot, really cold, or just plain crappy locations you might get your first choice.

I'd love to stay in SC if I make the cut, but anywhere in the south east is good with me.

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:05:43 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Have fun sitting in a dark room all day

Better then sitting in a bright room all day

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:07:51 PM EDT

[#12]

I'm thinkin about pickin up these books tomorrow:

search.barnesandnoble.com/Air-Traffic-Control-Career-Prep/Patrick-Mattson/e/9781560276142/?itm=1

search.barnesandnoble.com/Master-the-Air-Traffic-Controller/Petersons/e/9780768924756/?itm=2

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:55:13 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I know nothing of them, but good luck from the stress I have heard about.

+1.

Higher divorce rate than LEOs have.

By the time you are 35, you will have moved into management. It is a job for youngsters.

Posted: 7/19/2008 4:59:51 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Would you not have to attend a school of some sort BEFORE yu would apply for such a position...? I know it says trainee, but IMO, you should have at least a little know how. If not, go for it.....

As a new Air Traffic Control Specialist, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Upon successful completion of the Academy initial training program and other employment requirements, you will continue your training at your assigned facility on a permanent appointment with a salary between $37,463 and $43,867.

from here:
jobs.faa.gov/asap_detail.asp?vac_id=107019

No way on earth should anyone take an office-type job with that much stress for only $40k a year.

Maybe, maybe, if you get to work in a tower in a light-traffic airport, but those sweet desks are already spoken for by folks with decades seniority to you.

Posted: 7/19/2008 5:08:22 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The FAA is recruiting. If you're selected, you'll learn everything you need to know at the FAA academy in Oklahoma City. You'll be there long enough to move your family if that's a consideration.

Then, if you make the cut, you'll most likely be assigned either to an enroute center or a tower. The location may not be your first choice. If you pick out of the way, really hot, really cold, or just plain crappy locations you might get your first choice.

I'd love to stay in SC if I make the cut, but anywhere in the south east is good with me.

Think Puerto Rico or worse.

Posted: 7/19/2008 5:09:09 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Would you not have to attend a school of some sort BEFORE yu would apply for such a position...? I know it says trainee, but IMO, you should have at least a little know how. If not, go for it.....

As a new Air Traffic Control Specialist, you will spend your first several weeks of employment in an intensive training program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. While attending academy training you will be on a temporary appointment. Upon successful completion of the Academy initial training program and other employment requirements, you will continue your training at your assigned facility on a permanent appointment with a salary between $37,463 and $43,867.

from here:
jobs.faa.gov/asap_detail.asp?vac_id=107019

No way on earth should anyone take an office-type job with that much stress for only $40k a year.

Maybe, maybe, if you get to work in a tower in a light-traffic airport, but those sweet desks are already spoken for by folks with decades seniority to you.

Most ATC jobs are in windowless rooms. Tower jobs are few and far between. And many times, the facility isn't anywhere near an airport.

It is high stress, high attention to detail work. With the reduced seperations, it is even more difficult.

The demand is HIGH because a lot of the current batch were the replacements after the 1980s strike and subsequent Presidential firing of the striking workers.

Posted: 7/19/2008 5:16:43 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Most ATC jobs are in windowless rooms. Tower jobs are few and far between. And many times, the facility isn't anywhere near an airport.

It is high stress, high attention to detail work. With the reduced seperations, it is even more difficult.

The demand is HIGH because a lot of the current batch were the replacements after the 1980s strike and subsequent Presidential firing of the striking workers.

I was specifically thinking Lunken Airport here in Cincinnati. I'd probably do that for min wage. But you are right; just out of training he might as well be at the bottom of a missle silo.

Posted: 7/19/2008 5:19:33 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
You don't really know what you applied for?

Your gonna crap your pants if they call you to take the test. I know people with degrees in ATC who dreaded that car ride home.

Details?

You take a test that you can't study for on a computer that involves putting certain things in certain order on a screen, moving things around, etc etc. (It was explained to me 2 years ago).
It will stress you out and you will more than likely fail miserably. There is a waiting list for ATC that has alot of people on it with advance degrees and flight or AP experience. If you want to get your foot in the door apply for dispatch jobs for airlines. Most people who graduate from my school doing ATC work dispatch until the FAA calls them up.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - So I just applied for a job

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