JThurm Rookie

I took the test back in November and received a WQ score, but as you all know it's like winning the lottery when it comes to getting picked up OTS. Since I already have a bachelors degree, I went ahead and enrolled in CTI school in which I'm doing 15 hours this semester and I should be done by this time next year. I'm hoping that with a WQ score and graduating from CTI school in 2011, do you think I will have a shot or is it still just a random draw? Is there anyway to get to know a manager and get your name thrown in. I took a tour at my tower and the manager told me that there is no way and they never know who is coming in, but is this really true?

Davo Trusted Member SoCal

Several sources on this site have said that regional managers go to panels and do the selecting of applicants and which facility they are going to. I imagine the regional manager works at one of the facilities within the region. Also, you will find people that say the facility manager can help you get selected by giving your name to person doing the selecting. But, most of the people on this site saying that have prior military, DOD, or FAA experience. As a CTI applicant you should have a better chance than OTS yes.

noid Richard Cranium Jawja

The regional managers aren't the ones that go to the panels (usually). They select another facility manager to go to the panels as the ATO rep. They are the ones that pull the names. Once they place the name in front of the ATO panel, it's up to them. If a facility manager really wants someone, they can request the regional manager to have the ATO rep pull your name. If you can get in touch with the regional manager and impress them enough, they might help you out. You are correct though, it is usually for people with experience, but anything is possible. Good luck.

Rosstafari Daaaang. Seattle

I've known a couple of district (not regional) managers who went to panels. Guess it all depends on where you're going.

Anyway, what Davo and noid said. Good luck with classes.

RFDATM Senior Member IL

In at least the Central Service Area it is District Managers that select for the service area/facilities. Tours and contact with ATMs (non selecting officials) may or may not play any factor based on the candidate pool (list) and the previous track record of certification success rates of the different types of candidates.

JThurm Rookie

So I should go back to the facility that I toured and talk to the manager about getting my name out there. I got along with just about everyone in there, and they seemed impressed with my passion towards air traffic controlling. Has anyone else seen any success in this?

FALCON Junior Member Alaska

Getting picked as a CTI grad is like winning the lottery too. This might increase your chances a little though, kind of like having two lottery tickets I guess.

DeGro1317 Rookie Edgewater, FL

Both CTI and OTS are hard to get picked up either way. With CTI you might have a little better shot, but still not a sure thing. It's pretty much like getting your name pulled out of a hat, a really BIG hat.

Davo Trusted Member SoCal

I think having actual ATC experience, meaning VRA, RCM, CTO, REI, applicants have a better chance of getting strings pulled for them. As CTI and OTS we have no real experience to offer so a manager may not be as willing to go the extra mile for you, if they can at all, some district managers may not get input from facility managers. I am not saying the manager you talked to lied to you but there is a fine line you may cross if you continually bug them. As I have seen Rosstafari say before, maybe in the milestones of your application process you can talk to the facility you want to go to. Realistically if you do not graduate for another year, you are 2-3 years from getting to any facility. I would at least wait until you graduate to go back and talk to the manager again if I were you.

JThurm Rookie

Ok, but I am 25 so do you think its a good idea to spend almost 30,000 dollars to get this degree? I'm really taking a huge risk here, but I think its worth it. Do you think hiring will pick back up?