biggest decision of my life, wanna help?

dyttam Newcomer

what would the reserves do for me? could you tell me more please?

side note: i am ok with waiting 2-3 years (getting cti degree sand waiting for a year or two),... i just dont want to wait 6 years and not have a career.

shibbyromes Rookie Rhode Island

I graduated CTI and it really does not make much of a difference. I am glad I took the path I did because I would not trade my college experience nor my degree for anything (well maybe an ATC job right now lol). Since you're about to finish college, it does not make much sense to go back into school unless another degree is what you want. If there is a public announcement opening up this year, and you want to go back to school and do CTI, then apply for the public while you are in school. One of the guys/gals on here said it best when he or she said that the sooner you apply and are in the system, the better, because it is a loooong wait. Bottom line: look out for PUBNATs (public announcements, "off the street" applications) and weigh the benefits of getting another degree/more schooling (CTI).

BTW, Ovaltine > Nesquik

CTI, ERAU May 2009
AT-SAT 94
Applied CTI, PUBNAT8
...impatiently waiting for any news

GolfJuliet F*** Terrorism

Go CTI...The chances of getting hired via PUBNAT are about the same as winning the lottery..seriously lol. Going CTI also demonstrates to the FAA that you want the job. JMO though.

SmartBlonde1214 Trusted Member Florida

I would recommend CTI as well. With a bachelor's degree, youre likely to finish is in a year. By then, the hiring wait-time may (or may not be) a different than it is now with the slow down.

BTW, Go Noles! >----->

TowerView Newcomer Florida

Matthew,

Unless you are determined to be an air traffic controller and nothing else, based on my 66 years on this earth, I'd suggest you consider a military service career that reflects a post military marketable skill. In other words, select a good solid military skill that is and will probably continue to be in demand in the civilian community. Examples, such as one of the medical fields, or any electronic or computer skills field would be advisable. That way, regardless of whether you decide to complete a full military career, you can get out at any time and be marketable. My 22 year Air Force career prepared me for a second 20 year Lockheed Martin career as a System Engineer followed by a comfortable retirement at 62.

At any rate congratulations on completion of your degree. I hope whichever direction you go, success follows you.

Best regards, Towerview

dyttam Newcomer

these are all great suggestions and I truly am taking them into my deep deep process of resource gathering.

one route that was mentioned to me was national guard to get certified, how does that work? could anyone explain this? I would ask my recruiter, but he is worthless.

Matty13 Senior Member

Do not enlist. Get yourself a commission, and forget about the FAA. An officer's salary and benefits are not too shabby, and they'll be guaranteed as long as you're not a -up.

The FAA treats its people poorly, and the organization of the agency is so fubar'd it's unbelievable. At least the AF (or a real military branch) will treat you as a part of something, not just a worker peon.

dyttam Newcomer

why the negativity? what do you have to suggest besides a personal opinion?

Echo_Whiskey Junior Member

There are other branches like the Marine Corps and Navy which offer ATC with 4-5 years contracts. You will get your training and a great experience but no guarantee on qualifications. I did 9 years in the Corps and maybe went up to the tower a handful of times to visit, never to train. I did however recieve my TRACON and RAPCON credentials which landed me job at a level 12 facility 6 months after getting out of the Corps.

Additionally, if you choose military you will probably end up going officer with your degree but officers don't control in the military, they manage controllers. You'll go to the basic ATC school and get the idea of ATC but never get a chance to control or earn qualifications.

Matty13 Senior Member

I like my job, but I hate the incompetence in the structure of the FAA. Ever see Office Space? Ron Livingston's character tells the Bobs "I have seven bosses. So when I miss something trivial, I have seven different people coming to tell me about it." Not an exact quote, or the exact situation. But responsibility is a hot potato in the management ranks in the FAA.

You can make a good living in the military as an officer without this kind of BS. You will always have a clear mission, and you will always have a defined level of responsibility and so will all your superiors.

I don't mean to sound negative about the FAA, but positive about the military. They will pay off your student loans, and you can have a great time doing something that bonds you closely to a select few. Air traffic control is not the only way to make a living, and a military career can be extraordinarily fulfilling. So go be a jet jock or something.

You can enlist, but why? Officers have it better. And if you ever wanted to fly you must be commissioned as an officer.

2010 Military Pay Chart

The chart shoes monthly pay. This does not include non-taxable allowances for food and housing. All medical, dental and vision care is paid for. After 18 months (I think) you usually move from O1 to O2. When you make O3 you'll have $50k/year without having to pay for these things. The military may also send you to grad school, you'll be able to get a VA mortgage, travel privileges.....

If you only pursue ATC, there will only be the one path available to you. When you make connections in the military, they will always be available. Senior career officers you've served with will like you for a civilian position, buddies who got out and got jobs will vouch for you. Or you can retire after 20 years and draw a paycheck for the rest of your life, and still get another job if you want.