General Contract Tower Questions

SammyG Rookie

It seems from what I've read in this section of the site, that in order to get hired at a Contract Tower, you must posses 1.) A CTO Certificate and 2.) Minimum 6 months ATC experience. Correct?

Unless I've missed something, from what I've read, the only way to get a true CTO is through the military. The way I understand it, you can get a CTO from a CTI school but it is not generally accepted as a true CTO. Correct?

That leaves the military. So, I'm 29 (turn 30 in Feb 2010), and have a Bachelor of Arts in History. What branch of the military could I get into that I'm not too old for, where I could get a CTO, and could I also get the experience while I'm at it in the military? I'm guessing Air Force obviously, but could I also get it in ANG?

I am taking the ATSAT for the FAA tomorrow in Daytona, and I feel quite well prepared but I know even if I get 100 my chances of getting picked up are slim due to the sheer number of applicants, so I'm trying to look ahead just in case.

haystack510 Junior Member Fremont, CA

True and True
But look for that to change in the near future.

True, when it comes to contract towers, but look for that to change as well.

USMC, USN, USAF, NG, ANG, and Army. Maybe CG not sure.

True, plus your 29 so that doesnt help.

DOD_ATC Senior Member Chicago, IL

Correct.

All the services will let you enlist at 29. All the Armed Services (including the Air Nat'l Guard, but excluding the Coast Guard) will get you a CTO.

The important thing to remember is that there are two different kinds of "CTO's". One is the test that is administered by the CTI schools, the FAA and the military. The other is the certification (it's an actual wallet sized laminated card) that you have been and are qualified to work in a control tower. This is what the contract towers require.

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

there is a CTI school that will give u a "true" CTO. it's Beaver in PA, community college of beaver county (CCBC) i think is the real name. however, contract towers won't really look at u cuz u wouldn't have worked tower long enough for them to hire u. i can't speak for the contract tower companies but they may become more lenient on the 6 month minimum as the current FCT controllers jump into the FAA/DOD now that the pay is fixed. it's all speculation though. even though 6 months is the minimum required u almost need a minimum of a year for a majority of the FCT's to look at u.

polo708 Epic Member tower

I worked directly with the current hiring manager for Serco right now and he specifically said they dont accept the CTOs from Beaver C.C. if thats your only "cert".

dfiantii Senior Member

I was just curious if you knew how current does your CTO have to be or is it that you just have to have "A" CTO?

EFC Junior Member On a Van by the Sea

If you have a CTO (not from a CTI School) and a minimum of 6 months of experience you will be considered for employment. The fact that an individual's CTO was issued many years ago, and said individual hasn't work ATC for many years does not disqualify the individual. Of course, the more recent the experience is, better are the chances of being hired.

dfiantii Senior Member

Thank you (EFC) I keep applying at Serco and DOD, something will come along I am sure.

polo708 Epic Member tower

yeah, length of time from actually working traffic wont disqualify you, but it seem that they prefer to hire controllers who are more current over those with a larger time gap between controlling. Keep trying and show your interest. It will eventually come along. Too many people jumping ship for the FAA right now.