I want to be an ATC... Help!

kingjoemom

Ive heard that embry riddel is extremely good!.... and expensive! But i will look into it as it is much closer then north dakota is. I really am starting to get used to the idea of getting a 2 yr cti, and working on the music degree (more of a personal enjoyment thing by the way, ATC is what i want to do for sure). Embry riddel does look cool though it might blow a hole in my wallet, but i guess 2 years wouldnt be that bad especially if a 2 vs. 4 year degree doesnt even matter!

Ice_cold656 · Posted: 06-22-2011, 11:40 PM

Get a BA, in anything. Including Music. A BA is a must now days.

Rosstafari · Posted: 06-22-2011, 11:56 PM

Don't be in such a rush to get there. You've got plenty of time, and you won't get your younger years back. Two year or four year... you'll still get your shot, assuming you do well enough to get to take it in the first place. Go do music if you want to do music, ATC ain't going anywhere. ...until they outsource us all to India.

Don't forget to consider the military. Better training, better selection preference, GI Bill pays for your school.

Ice_cold656 · Posted: 06-23-2011, 12:04 AM

Actually look at what Ross has done and realize you have time to JetBlue!

UNDgrad06 · Posted: 06-23-2011, 07:34 AM

Embry Riddle won't be a 2 year degree, so you can forget about it unless you want 100K in debt. If you got to a real college or university then you mostly likely will be getting a 4 year degree not a two year. If you pick one of the small colleges then you can get the 2 year degree.

You seem to think that CTI is something you can just get at any school, but you can't just take the 4 classes to get your name on the list. You have to actually get a degree in something. It can be a Bachelor's or Assiociate's degree it doesn't matter. Plus you can't just get a 2 year degree at any college. I real 4 year school only gives out 4 year degrees.

Another thing to consider is a 4 year degree will also help you if you want to further your career past CPC. It is worth more points when filling out certain forms when trying to bid on jobs and will help if you want to get into management or whatever.

IMHO, you have a lot of research to do. If you say you don't know what an ARTCC is then you probably don't realize that about 50% of controllers don't work in towers, at the airport, and don't see airplanes everyday.

Cartman_Controlling · Posted: 06-23-2011, 08:02 AM

The other option is the military. Join the military; leave after 4-6 years as a rated controller with a college degree that cost you minimum out of pocket. Then you have veterens hiring preference in all jobs applications. While active duty the military pays your tuition, after you have the GI Bill to use. A lot of basic training and military training gives you college credit. It is very possible to do one enlistment and leave very well set (ATC experience and college degree), with money in your bank. If you go this route, join the AF or USMC, my opinion only. In the Army or Navy the chances are higher you will get stuck on ship, put in a tactical tower, or get a GCA rating. Those situations DO NOT count as experience for the FAA. Worst case scenario, you hate/fail out of ATC, the military does not fire you.

Ice_cold656 · Posted: 06-23-2011, 08:47 AM

Yeah the Military could be a good option too. and A degree from Riddle will run you around 120,000 for just a regular degree without flight. But on a positive note all of my friends I hang with on a regular basis here( funny cause ones Army, ones Navy, a Marine, and a Chair Forcer) have a vet pref and they don't pay a dime to Riddle. the Military covers everything!! that could be another great option to consider.

kberry · Posted: 06-23-2011, 10:23 AM

Approved Air Traffic - Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Schools

Here is a list of the approved FAA CTI schools.
Figure out what you can spend on school, if you need on campus housing, how far/ how much is it going to cost you to get home to mom and dads if you need to, I always looked to see if their was things I liked to do around the college, look for schools that fit you and your life. I ended up Going to green river because it fit my needs, the cost for out of state tuition was reasonable, and they had a good simulator lab. What im saying is it doesn't matter were you go as long as you get good grades, so you can get recommended for hire.

turbovela · Posted: 06-23-2011, 10:52 AM

x2 Military. (DEBT FREE and you get paid in the process, plus school)

kingjoemom

If I went to the military after a 4 yr college, would I have to be out of the military before I'm 31 so I could be hired by the FAA? And also, is hiring opportunities good for you for the FAA?