Hello! Welcome to SM!
Traditional Route is easiest and 90% of the time will save you lots of time and running around.
PEPC is a 1 day event and you knock everything out required to move on to the Academy... then go about your regular daily life until you get your FOL (or MMPI failure notice).
With the non-traditional route (Which you can get more information about from here
http://www.stuckmic.com/atc-employme...ht=traditional or
http://www.stuckmic.com/atc-employme...ht=traditional) it is possible to get into a facility you specifically desire with greater ease, but may take longer. If the ATM you interview with really likes you he can basically see to it personally that you make it to that facility.. whereas if you're just looking for a job and are ok with the prospect of just filling an empty seat, traditional is easiest.