Airline Pilot <-> ATC

icanfly5 Newcomer Suburbs of Chicago

I figured the same...OTS is a rare opportunity, why not give it a shot. I love flying, and it is going to kill me to give it up, but the money is great and the thought of being home every day is wonderful.

After almost 5 years at Eagle with no upgrade in sight, it's not leaving the company that's the issue as much as it is the flying and the friends I've made there.

At least I won't have to leave Chicago.

BoomerSooner77 I am rubber, you're glue. Plano, TX

One of your Eagle brethren started Academy Friday for D10. He did it for the same reasons you mentioned.

icanfly5 Newcomer Suburbs of Chicago

There are quite a few of us who have started already or still hoping...

I don't want to complain. Eagle has been fine (minus the lack of upgrade) and I'm happy to have a job, given the fact that unemployment is so common.

I am, however, very excited about having the opportunity to be a controller.

strykr Junior Member cardboard box

thats my thoughts exatly. One of the older controllers at my home field would fly to work every day from the neighboring city. 15 min flight beats 1 1/2 commute! Also, is it just me or does the thought of actually DRIVING long distances bother pilots in general?

Weegie Rookie

I'm there with ya. This career is BS as far as I can tell. So, going to ATC, what have I really got to lose? Give up a really crappy schedule, really crappy pay, plus really crappy lifestyle to get to go home ever day. That sounds like a plan to me.

Its funny, I used to love flying, then I got a job working in the airlines... Honestly, I just cant wait to go back and do something fun with flying, like flying upside down again. Mabey I'll actually be able to afford it now, depending on what facility I get to go to.

Oh yea, one more thing... NO MORE ALPA. Yes, I know its now NATCA, but when ALPA went after my retirement, that was the last straw.

Good luck to all you guys.

Nofear Newcomer Salt lake city, Utah

45k a year really (maybe after 3 or more years) most of the first officers at regional airlines make about 20k their first year and are gone a lot. Once you have some seniority then the quality of life and pay improves. The first year is rough and thats why I am a 1500 hour CFI heading to ATC. I want to keep flying some and hopefully some day maybe do some corporate flying.

atp2atc Junior Member Boston, MA

Hey icanfly5 i'm also a former eagle pilot. I was Boston based until I got displaced to jfk and I decided with the lack of stability in the industry the career wasnt worth it anymore. I definetly miss flying for eagle but dont miss the headache that went with being an airline pilot.

icanfly5 Newcomer Suburbs of Chicago

So where are you at in the process?

atp2atc Junior Member Boston, MA

I'm just getting the ball rolling, I applied to pubnat7 so now i'm just waiting to take the test. About 2 months ago I took a tour of the Boston ARTCC in nashua, nh and I really liked what I saw so that got me to start making the move.

ATCSlave Newcomer

While im not from Eagle, im definetely in the same boat. Its not that I dont love flying or don't wanna do it anymore, its the 20k/yr, away from home 4-5days/week, no retirement to speak of, and the being stuck on reserve for almost 1.5yrs and counting with no chance of holding a line; let alone upgrade.
In my eyes ATC is something ive always been curious about, and the more I find out about it the more I am becoming interested on being the other end of things. I still get to hang out at the airport, and as far as flying I think I can still find some part time 135/CFI'ing gigs to keep things going on that end.