rhlohr Rookie PA

I am going to a treminal facility. I'm OTS and have no idea what the difference between the two are. Everyone is talking about En Route. Could this be the reason I don't have my OKC date yet?

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

It could be. They hire in spurts. They're probably on an En Route spurt right now. It'll be terminals turn in no time. The new year is just a few weeks away, so expect hiring for all three types of facilities very soon.

En Route is a big radar facility that controls airplanes outside of ~50miles from a big airport.
Approach Control (terminal) is a radar facility that controls planes immediately adjacent to a big airport. They control initial departures and set the arrival sequence.
Tower (terminal) is the guys sitting in the tall building watching the airport environment. They separate the aircraft as they takeoff and land, and also while taxiing on the airport.

rhlohr Rookie PA

That helps. There's alot I need to learn...

shao Junior Member Rosemead, Ca

i've read the PV is easier for terminal. are there any other differences? pay? stress? Thanks

SOCOM Junior Member

side note - there's only 21 en route facilities in the US

Tye Rookie

there's actually 20 enroute facilities in the continental U.S. Then you've got Anchorage and Honolulu. Which bring you to 22. You can also count Guam and Puerto Rico has a CERAP.

SOCOM Junior Member

ah forgot Honolulu...knew i was missing one somewhere in my count

Deadeye Rookie

hey guys. What are the odds of getting tower if you choose "Terminal"? Do they ask if you want to be tower or tracon or do they just place you where they need people?

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

i'm not trying to be a smart a$$, but it's better than 50-50. some will say that if u get either tower or tracon then it's 50-50. but it's not. there are A LOT more towers than tracons.