Terminal Vs. En route

Singingastro Trusted Member Houston, TX

thanks for the advice. Ill be sure to be a good girl.

IControlandFly Rookie Florida

Almost all centers are located just outside the metropolitan area they are named after i.e, Jax Center is in Hilliard, FL and ATL Center is in Hampton, GA

Battani22 Trusted Contributor Minnesota

TRAFFIC: GQ Features on men.style.com

I don't know if you have read this, it was posted some place on stuckmic a little bit ago. It has some interesting info on NY tower and TRACON controllers.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

Let me stress this fact once again: It is not wise for you newbies to be striving for the busy towers or approach controls (N90, C90, ORD, ATL, A80, etc.) because your chances of passing training to certification is at the best slim, and when you fail training you will probably not be offered another lower level facilitiy.

We have controllers with years of experience that go to these facilities and fail training, so unless you're God's gift to controllers, you are extremely likely to not make it. When you fail training it doesn't help our staffing problems, so we really want you guys to have a good opportunity to be successful.

What is strongly recommended is for you to go to a ATC-7 or ATC-8 or lower level facility where you have a good chance of certifying, then once you have some experience bid on the power houses. The plus side of this method is if you do go onto one of the high denisity facilities and don't make it you will in most instances be offered the chance to return to a smaller facility.

For you that are going to the Enroute Centers, your chances are about even if not somewhat better because the Centers training programs have always been set up for those with little to no experience. Even at the Centers you will have to study your butts off, and work hard to certify.

So when you select your facility, select wisely, and I hope to see you become a controller.

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

MikeATC is dead on. It's very very hard to certify at the big time facilities. Even those with experience will struggle at those places. There are surely some exceptions...VRAs checking out, OTS checking out, CTI checking out, etc.

Singingastro Trusted Member Houston, TX

i am definitely hoping for the bet. thank you for the warning everyone

johnincolumbus Rookie

So...I would like to work somewhere in either OH or GA preferably. What would be an easy (relatively) place to start out? I think CMH is ATC-9...DAY or TOL is probably pretty small, right? I have no idea about Terminal or EnRoute

otterstrom Trusted Member of NATCA

everyone ive spoken with who has been CPC in both options during their career has told me they preferred terminal.

bradporto Rookie Texas

you guys are making me really happy I didn't get offered center. I was terminal that's my shit!

boondr PHD without a degree North of the Equator

Are there any FAA level 4's?