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| THREAD: | hessduke's Thread | |
| SUBJECT: | Interested_in_becoming_an_ATC. | |
| TO: | hessduke | |
| FROM: | dano | |
| POSTED: | 2/7/2008, 1:09PM EDT | |
Do you find that the pay is decent and benefits are good Are the hours as shi**y as everyone says I want to be able to be home nights and some weekends to be with my family but also want to be able to provide for them. I hope this makes sense 
I don't think I've ever considered myself to be an a**hole really - I wonder if that means I wouldn't fit in. hah.
I do think I have great decision making skills, can think quickly on my feet, and am intelligent. I also LOVE the thrill of a fast-paced job and know how to handle stress. Also, I've always been very good at picturing things 3-D (LOVED geometry in school and a good math student) so feel ATC could be a good fit for me
I want to be sure it's the right career path. Do you have any suggestions of books to read or shadowing opportunities to be sure i am doing the right thing
Also, how long have you been an ATC, just out of curiousity If you've been working at different locations, is there one that you feel is 'better' than another
Thanks for your help
dano wrote: [TO: hessduke]
Honestly you can expect to work shift work for your entire career, and more than likely you will not have weekends off for about 10 years or longer. Of course this will depend on the facility that you are assigned, but if you go to a facility that is open 24/7, then you can expect to work various shifts that will cover the gamut. Days off are based on seniority, and your seniority will be low for some time, especially with the massive hiring going on, all of those that have been hired in the past few years will always be ahead of you, but you will be ahead of those hired after you. That is one of the major pitfalls of the career, working shiftwork and missing family gatherings etc... and working holidays. If you could arrange to go to a nearby facility and watch them work for awhile you can get a feel if you would like it or not. Most people not familiar with the job have no real idea on what we do. Good luck
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