ATC as a career....why?

chilibamma · Posted: 04-16-2010, 11:38 AM

My Aunt was a controller in the AF. I loved hearing her stories and was very interested in it very young. However, because of this I grew up thinking you had to go into the service to become one. Right around PubNat 8 I learned that this was not true and applied.

lunchbox · Posted: 04-16-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noid

Cause it's the coolest.

And you're not cool, unless you pee your pants.

then i must be the coolest kid in town.

atcguruaf · Posted: 04-16-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jericho574

I have a quick question for you all. Everyone here is either a controller or waiting to get their shot. Also, its pretty much known that the real training/knowledge is acquired AFTER you've already gone through quite a bit of waiting and already been hired.

What brought you to the ATC world?

I ask because I somehow doubt that many people grew up wanting to direct air traffic. Also, they say to not get into this career because of the money. So if you didn't grow up wanting to become an ATC, and you aren't doing it for the money...what made you want to give this career a shot when 1. You didn't know if you'd even like it, or 2. You didn't even know if you'd be good at it?

I got into this job because someone told me I probably couldn't do it! Because sooo many people wash out.

Here's the deal: Once you begin training, you find out REAL quick if you're cut out for this job. It's not like applying at Target, or any other place like that. I have yet to meet an air traffic controller that doesn't like what they do.

I have met people that tried to be controllers, and early on in training realized that they didn't like the job.

I have met people that tried to be controllers and were washed out early on in training, because they treated it just as "another job."

It's hard to say if you, as an individual, will like this job. But it's fair to say that you'll know quick enough to make a career change in the event you don't like it.

I didn't even know what ATC was when I signed up for it. I literally had no clue. Now I'm glad I chose the path I did and couldn't see myself doing anything else. It's a lot of fun! Oh, and the pay/benefits are nice too!

Good luck!

Davo · Posted: 04-16-2010, 12:46 PM

I am not a controller but I will add why I want to be a controller. When I was in high school I knew I wanted to be in the aviation industry I just did not know where. I went to school for a year or two to become a pilot and decided it was not for me then went into the military as an open mechanic and became a structural mechanic for C-17 (think car body work for airplanes). Then while serving I took some time to reflect about me and found that I love technology and playing with electronics as well as problem solving. I was the kid that loved math word problems or any type of puzzle you can find. Aviation, technology, problem solving, I really enjoyed CTI classes and think I will enjoy the job more.

MIAvectors · Posted: 04-16-2010, 01:44 PM

I did it for the groupies

lunchbox · Posted: 04-16-2010, 01:54 PM

I got my first taste of air traffic control when I was about 8 yrs old in Jessup, MD listening to the local tower on a radio. Then when I was in 8th grade, I was one of two students from my school picked to participate in the Young Eagles program at Embry Riddle in which I learned about flight, toured various facilities including Daytona Tower, and flew a Tampico at the end of the program. Also, whenever I fly United, I always tune in to channel 9.

When I was graduating high school, just after 9/11, a career as a pilot looked bleak so I went to UCF and got my Bachelors but I still didn't know what I wanted since aviation is so important to me. Then I found out about Pubnats and it helped a lil to have a brother-in-law as a current controller at ZJX to give me some incentive. End scene.

I love Popsicles.

SmartBlonde1214 · Posted: 04-16-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunchbox

I got my first taste of air traffic control when I was about 8 yrs old in Jessup, MD listening to the local tower on a radio. Then when I was in 8th grade, I was one of two students from my school picked to participate in the Young Eagles program at Embry Riddle in which I learned about flight, toured various facilities including Daytona Tower, and flew a Tampico at the end of the program. Also, whenever I fly United, I always tune in to channel 9.

When I was graduating high school, just after 9/11, a career as a pilot looked bleak so I went to UCF and got my Bachelors but I still didn't know what I wanted since aviation is so important to me. Then I found out about Pubnats and it helped a lil to have a brother-in-law as a current controller at ZJX to give me some incentive. End scene.

I love Popsicles.

No one cares. Jerk.

jajajajaja, I kid. (And yes, Im aware those are J's).