Want to become an air traffic controller - graduated recently - Air Traffic Control - ATC

JThurm · Posted: 07-03-2009, 11:13 AM

I have talked to a couple of people on the phone about coming an Air Traffic Controller. They said you either need a two year aviation degree or a bachelors degree. I went to the University of Louisville and graduated with a bachelors degree in Anthropology/Marketing. They said you wouldn't be able to apply until July (thats when it would open up for the public). I want to become an ATC and make that my career, but really don't know the best way to go about doing it. Any help or information would be great. I would like to apply right away and be prepared as best as I possibly can for the interview so I can land the job.
Thanks in advance!
Justin
Jathur02@louisville.edu

MikeATC · Posted: 07-03-2009, 11:19 AM

If you don't want to spend a bunch of money to attend a college that offers ATC courses then you will have to wait until one of the Off The Street Vacancy Jobs is advertised and hope that you can get selected.

JThurm · Posted: 07-03-2009, 11:20 AM

They told me it would be available soon. Is there a site or somewhere I can apply now? Do they hire a lot of people off the street with bachelor degrees? Don't they provide you the schooling if you get selected?

JThurm · Posted: 07-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Does anyone know the best place to apply? Or how to find out there is a job opening somewhere in your area? I really want to get this moving. I graduated back in 2008 but I really want to become an ATC.

patrick0685 · Posted: 07-03-2009, 12:01 PM

then you should have applyed in 2007, there is no quick way to get into the FAA sorry

RdRunnr12 · Posted: 07-03-2009, 12:15 PM

You're getting pretty vague answers so I'll be the one to give you all the info (that's within these threads already).
First, you will need to apply for the next Public announcement if/when it becomes available. Current rumors say it will be posted next week. You can find it here
Air Traffic Control Specialist Position Openings

The next step will be to take the selection test. It's called the At-Sat....There's a ton of info about the test in these forums. A score of 85 and up is well qualified and will provide you with the best chance of selection.

Next you will be sent a geographic preference e-mail in which you will select two states you are willing to work in.

After that there will be a selection panel that will choose which candidates they want to pick.

Having a degree will in no way effect this decision. At least that's been the trend in previous OTS panels.

It will take at least 1 year from the time you apply until you hear if you've been selected.

Good luck!

ladiesolo · Posted: 07-03-2009, 01:10 PM

PUBNAT8 (off the street announcement) is supposed to post on July 6, 2009...

MTCTIGUY · Posted: 07-03-2009, 01:17 PM

Assuming the rumors are true, apply to PUBNAT 8 when it comes out in July. If you want to be sure however, I would apply to Middle Tennessee and get a masters degree in Aviation Administration with CTI. You should be able to get done in 18 months, and if you're a Kentucky resident you pay in state tuition. http://search.sreb.org/acm/ProgramDe...d=752&state=KY

Rosstafari · Posted: 07-03-2009, 03:54 PM

By the way, your bachelor's degree means next to nothing to the FAA if you're applying to become a controller. When you apply as an OTS (off the street) candidate, you'll be grouped together with everyone else who's trying to get in the door without any ATC background. The primary method they'll evaluate you is your score on the above-mentioned AT-SAT -- and even then it really just places you in one of two hiring groups -- with everything else as a secondary consideration.

Patrick wasn't joking, there isn't anything you can do to help things "move along". The FAA hires people according to their own schedule, and it's a very, very slow one. As an OTS applicant, you'll be waiting over a year. I started May last year and just this week finally did my interview. It'll be until at least October for me to even begin training at the Academy. It's a long process, so be prepared to have some other means of income in the meantime.

Regarding the possibility of going to a CTI school, there are other threads that address that, so no need to repeat it here. Just browse the ATC Employment subforum for a little bit and you'll find plenty.

PoppinJ · Posted: 07-03-2009, 04:42 PM

Like everybody says, be sure be ready for a wait. ATC is a great profession but it takes a year min. to get into the door. I'm not to sure about the OTS people but its still a ridiculous wait for those of us with experience. I have a CTO (high up ATC qualification denoting a good bit of experience) and a bachelor degree and I've still been waiting for 8 months with no end in sight.