dyttam Newcomer

howdy folks,

I'm graduating from Florida State University this summer and I was contemplating joining the Air Force or going to CTI school for ATC.

I have done a vast amount of resource gathering and I have found out that CTI school doesn't guarantee anything, no matter what. Whereas 6 years in AF will guarantee a good career.

The problem I have here is that I am 24 and joining Air Force would risk not getting into FAA. I know I could work for contract towers and DoD for decent pay (or great pay overseas) but the big leagues and main goal is the FAA.

Should I pursue a fast-track CTI school and hope for the best? Or perhaps take what is guaranteed in the Air Force? As you can see, this is probably the biggest decision I will make in my life so far... (minus saying "I DO", which I will be doing this summer, cheers!)

Basically, I know CTI is going to be a bit of a waiting game...
My biggest concern is that I just see myself in 2 years sitting pretty with 2 BA degrees (one being a fast track CTI degree in Avaition Management with CTI certification and the other an International Affairs bachelors from FSU) ANDDDDD...no career job.

No FAA, no TOL, no CTOs, no OKC school, no nothing, 2 degrees. 3 years of waiting, 30k in debt and no real career in ATC. I can't even work Contract Tower or DOD!

What I am asking is, can I get into a contract tower by obtaining my CTO somewhere, somehow and get experience to be hired at the same time? what I have gathered is that contract towers will not hire without a CTO and experience... and I cant get a CTO with required experiece without joining the air force/navy.

Is this true?

anyway to get said exp within the next 4 years without having to go into the air force?

this would make things easier while I was for the FAA... plus its experience and a career.

Is this possible? What do you know that I don't yet?

cheers,

matthew