biggest decision of my life, wanna help?

DASAUTO · Posted: 02-09-2010, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollTide

Matthew, I served in the military for five years and currently work for the DoD as a controller. I am not so familiar with the CTI route, but if you really want to be a controller this seems to be the best or quickest route..imo Also, as someone stated earlier I would not necessarily count on getting a CTO while in the AF, this would depend greatly on where you were stationed and the facility you were chosen for. If you need cash to pay for CTI I would consider the guard, but that is the only way I would. Lastly, this is a great job and I love it, but the AF officer suggestion someone else made is something I would consider as well. Good Luck!!

What DoD facility?

RollTide · Posted: 02-09-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASAUTO

What DoD facility?

Ft. Huachuca in Arizona

Gunny · Posted: 02-22-2010, 06:26 PM

I'm a retired Marine and a former FAA CPC. I also spent some time as a recruiter for the Marines. The military is a great option, officer or enlisted. Sorry, I don't believe that officers are a higher societal class. Plenty of enlisted guys have degrees. I'm not 100% sure about the USAF, but, officers don't normally talk to planes...so, if your goal is to be a controller then go enlisted. I worked with a couple of ANG controllers in the FAA and they were very good. One of them made supervisor with the FAA, but, I won't hold that against him. Make your decision for the right reason, don't join the military unless your really willing to serve your country.

boston · Posted: 02-23-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunny

I'm a retired Marine and a former FAA CPC. I also spent some time as a recruiter for the Marines. The military is a great option, officer or enlisted. Sorry, I don't believe that officers are a higher societal class. Plenty of enlisted guys have degrees. I'm not 100% sure about the USAF, but, officers don't normally talk to planes...so, if your goal is to be a controller then go enlisted. I worked with a couple of ANG controllers in the FAA and they were very good. One of them made supervisor with the FAA, but, I won't hold that against him. Make your decision for the right reason, don't join the military unless your really willing to serve your country.

Very true about many enlisted men having degrees! My statement wasn't made out of a belief in the value of the class system, but being an officer means you've moved up a rung on the social ladder that connects the trailer park/barrio/ghetto with large estates where old men drink older scotch. A lot of those guys passed through the officer corps, so were it me, I'd play some "monkey see, monkey do" and get myself to OCS.

Matty13 · Posted: 02-23-2010, 10:50 PM

Officers make more money. Some of them are even worth a shit.

mtlatc · Posted: 02-23-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty13

Officers make more money. Some of them are even worth a shit.

I know of like 6, were you one?

Matty13 · Posted: 02-24-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtlatc

I know of like 6, were you one?

I have never been so insulted.

no I wasn't an officer, my parents were married.

Ice_cold656 · Posted: 11-07-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shibbyromes

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

DB or Prescott?

CTI, ERAU December 2010
ATSAT 89.9 WQ( yeah one tenth of a freaking percent)

RedSoxguy81 · Posted: 11-08-2010, 08:40 AM

I'd suggest the military route as well.. You'd be getting experience and pay while you wait...and when you get out you'll have vet pref! I applied under OTS and honestly I think the only thing that got me selected was the vet pref.

Tango_Charlie · Posted: 11-08-2010, 11:35 AM

Also take into consideration the contract time for enlisted ATC is a minimum of 6 years.... That puts you at 30 at the end of your first term at a maximum hiring age of 31 for the FAA. You did say you were 24 right? Lol. Anywho, I just recently separated from the AF and while I agree that the experience was invaluable, you need to at your age consider the possibility that if you go enlisted you may not even have the chance to work for the FAA. I don't mean to be a buzz kill but I thought you should know that.

I hope that what ever you decide works out for you in the end.

Cheers

biggest decision of my life, wanna help?

Stuck Mic - Air Traffic Control - ATC - Aviation