Air Traffic Controller jobs

[wabbit]

I found out the application period for new controllers is May 5-8. It's for young people, younger than 31, who want to have a career as an ATC. The starting pay isn't very high, but the more experienced controllers are able to make over $100K/year, and have federal benefits.

https://www.faa.gov/be-atc

Applicants must:​

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (Required for males born after 12/31/1959)
• Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application period (with limited exceptions)
• Have either three years of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of both
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs

 

[rondon600]

I just referred my step son.... if he gets it I’ll never fly again!

 

[John from MD]

For those interested, you have to have a natural talent. Either you have it or you don't.

The test, (unless it has changed, is three parts. The first part is 15 minutes and you have to answer questions while looking at a radar depiction. The questions are something like what aircraft are in conflict over route AEZ. You must look at the simulated screen and visualize the conflict. If you can't, you won't get it.

The second part of the test they add speed to the equation and you have 20 minutes to complete it. The third part is aviation knowledge, which is just for statistics, and does not count for your score.

I was invited to take the test back in early 2000's as part of a working group. I was able to attain a score of 90 which I thought was great. I was told that they were only hiring applicants with 98 or above.

So you see, it is a very tough test and knowledge has nothing to do with it. It is also a very stressful environment.

 

[antco]

Tough field. Very rewarding career. Mandatory retirement at 50.

Edit: Retirement bumped up to 56.

 

[krucam]

Controllers here at DFW, a level 12 facility, are easily $130K and more. Add to that mandatory overtime pushing 50 hrs/week, due to staffing shortages, and it’s not hard to hit $150K +

 

[Alan3413]

Should be a cinch for today's video gaming kids. They can make thousands of trajectory projections in 3D, and in real time

 

[krucam]

My work office is 50ft away from the TRACON floor…

 

[krucam]

DFW Air Traffic Controller pay....

Air Traffic Controller Salaries

Detailed salary information for air traffic controllers and salary calculator for individual air traffic control facilities in the United States.

123atc.com

 

[Blaster229]

6C life is nice with 20 year retirement. I forgot what year they changed it, but it is a high 5 year salary for the retirement comp, instead of 3. Plus a 1.7% calculation instead of 1%.

LEO, Firefighters, ATC, and Nuclear Weapons Couriers.

 

[wb3jma]

Got news for you with DEI push they have lowered standards but that means there looking to fill women, minorities, gays and transgendered you likely hood of getting accepted no matter how talented in a non approved group is very low.

 

[wabbit]

DFW Air Traffic Controller pay....

Air Traffic Controller Salaries

Detailed salary information for air traffic controllers and salary calculator for individual air traffic control facilities in the United States.

123atc.com

That's really good pay, but the job is stressful for many people. I'm glad some people have taken on the challenge.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Should be a cinch for today's video gaming kids. They can make thousands of trajectory projections in 3D, and in real time

YES, but can they actually converse with their mouths?

 

[John from MD]

YES, but can they actually converse with their mouths?

How true!
I see Naval Academy Midshipmen at restaurants all over the area and, instead of talking to each other, they are all texting on their smart phones. And then people wonder when young people escalate small issues into murder.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

How true!
I see Naval Academy Midshipmen at restaurants all over the area and, instead of talking to each other, they are all texting on their smart phones. And then people wonder when young people escalate small issues into murder.

On another note, the closest I got to knowing a possible Air Traffic Controller was when an Elementary school friend of mine completed his Marines training at Parris Island, then went to Sand Diego to do air traffic school @ 18 yrs old. He did not make it far and was honorably discharged when it was discovered that he got thyroid cancer.

Once his cancer surgery and treatment was completed, he became a mail man working out of the Govans PO.
As far as I know, he has been in remission for 41 years.

 

[John from MD]

On another note, the closest I got to knowing a possible Air Traffic Controller was when an Elementary school friend of mine completed his Marines training at Parris Island, then went to Sand Diego to do air traffic school @ 18 yrs old. He did not make it far and was honorably discharged when it was discovered that he got thyroid cancer.

Once his cancer surgery and treatment was completed, he became a mail man working out of the Govans PO.
As far as I know, he has been in remission for 41 years.

Wow, that is great news for him. My niece had her thyroid removed due to cancer and now just had a mini stroke. Something to do with the meds for the removed thyroid.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Prayers for your niece, John.
Yep, Tim was the first and youngest person I knew to get cancer. I was so glad they caught it early and his life was spared.

 

[antco]

I have a cousin who was ATC out of Memphis for her entire career after college. Forced retirement at 50y/o. Born and raised on the family farm, she's as cool as a cucumber.

 

[K31]

Got news for you with DEI push they have lowered standards but that means there looking to fill women, minorities, gays and transgendered you likely hood of getting accepted no matter how talented in a non approved group is very low.

Oh good. That and the airline that wants to hire and train pilots based just on what's between their legs makes me want to go to the airport even less now. Which is not at all.

ATC: "American 409 turn to 270 to avoid traffic!"

209: "'American' is racist and not my pronoun"

 

[krucam]

So you want to be a Controller?...here's the FAA Air Traffic Order, 600+ pages of stuff they have to know...

 

[aznboi87]

Controllers here at DFW, a level 12 facility, are easily $130K and more. Add to that mandatory overtime pushing 50 hrs/week, due to staffing shortages, and it’s not hard to hit $150K +

i saw a news today that controllers are still at a shortage, yet they closed the hiring window at this moment. are they intentionally over working current employees?