Curious about CTI

cfreeman13 Newcomer

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is in the wrong location. I have done plenty of reading about AT-CTI and have been wanting to be a controller since I was 17. I am currently 22, and a junior in college. I am majoring in Management Information Systems and want to attend an AT-CTI school after I graduate. I am currently looking at Tulsa Community College with a 2 year degree.

Do you all think that ATC is still a viable career opportunity? I am extremely nervous and am getting extreme resistance from my family and I dont want them to say I told you so.

spades What's happening?

The only way you'll find out if you try. I'm not saying tell your family to screw off but tell your family to screw off. It's your life. You should find something that makes you happy. Spending 40 hours a week for the next 30 years doing something you hate is not a good idea.

liondave Senior Member Seattle

Before even thinking about it I recommend getting a class 2 medical certificate first.

StuSEL Trusted Member West Lafayette, IN

Hey there,

At this point you really don't have anything to be nervous about. The age cutoff for initial FAA hiring is 31, so you still have 9 years before your age can disqualify you for hiring.

Seeing that you'll already have a bachelor's degree before you pursue CTI, you're in a great spot:
(a) You can probably finish the 2 year program in less than that amount of time depending on the college and how they value your bachelor's degree.
(b) During the likely waiting period you will encounter between your CTI graduation and FAA hiring, if you do get picked up, you have a solid backup with your B.S. degree. If you don't get picked up at all, the same thing can be said.

Misinformation is the biggest factor I've seen in talking to people in both the aviation community and the general public, in terms of their perceptions of air traffic control. Without having any prior knowledge of what a facility actually looks like, sounds like, and what they actually do, consider their "knowledge" to be hearsay. Go and tour facilities, talk to and network with controllers and managers, and see what the career is actually like.

The only thing that will potentially impact your hiring probability is a gradual decrease in the number of people hired for this career in the near future. (That, and you need to be medically qualified for the job.) But like I said, you have a backup plan in case this controller gig doesn't work out. In my opinion it would be worth it to pursue, if that's what you really think you might enjoy.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

The only caution that I would advise is if the CTI program you attend requires that you earn a pilots license then I'd run the other way (unless you want a pilot license). My opinion is that even though it gives you insight as to what a pilot does, it is a totally unnecessary expense, and not necessary to becoming a good controller.

I've seen CTI's that have incured huge student loan dept because their college CTI program required that they get a pilots license. I feel that this requirement is a rip off, when that money could be better utilized toward another degree just in case becoming a controller doesn't work out. The wash out rate is still around 60% and higher at some facilities, so not everyone is cut out to be a controller.

As I've warned in other conferences, air traffic control is a 24/7 career, controllers often work rotating days off, and rotating schedules so you won't have a schedule like a normal person and you will miss a lot of events (family, sports, etc.).

aviationgle Newcomer

My family isn't exactly stoked at the thought of me changing careers either. I already have the job that I went to school for, it pays well, and I am satisified here, but, like you, I've dreamt of becoming an ATC for a long time. Its something that has always intrigued me and the challenge is part of the draw.

I agree with the above, however, you can't be afraid of the "I told you so" from anyone, including family. There is absolutely nothing wrong with striving for a career in a field where you will have the most passion and an excitement to be doing what you love. Then its no longer just work but it becomes one of those jobs where you can't believe they pay you to do what you want to be doing anyway and thats worth it 1000%.

Having said all that, ATC is not a field with a 100% guaranteed job. Like any college major there is some risk inherent to spending years of time and money, not to mention sacrificing other career opportunities to potentially get where you want to be. Theres always a chance you will be the one who won't get hired. Always. Make yourself more competitive, be involved at school, do well, present well, and give it your all.

I'd say heed the advice of those guys above, take it all into consideration, and if you still want to jump in then go for it. If not then its probably not the career for you anyway.

Good luck!

chilibamma Trusted Member Texas

I go to TCC. They do not require a pilot's license but they do have a great flight school if you choose to get one. I do suggest that you apply and register as soon as possible because the classes fill up very quickly.

Good Luck

RFDATM Trusted Contributor IL

If ATC is your passion - then go USAF or USN/USMC - why pay for another degree when the service will train you and pay you at the same time. You still have 9 years to go before you age out for the FAA and the military will open other doors for you, exp DOD or FCTs (private company ATC). Your previous education should qualify you some additional rank after boot camp.

KStoves Rookie

You went about explaining it to them all wrong.

First you tell your family you need to talk. Then you tell them you accidentally got a prostitute pregnate.

After they're done crying, you explain that you were just kidding, but that you are considering switching careers to pusue Air Traffic Control. All of a sudden this will not seem like something worth fighting over anymore

Radium Epic Member

Depending on ur current situation.... There is always a chance u leave ur 80k job to make 40k at a center, only to get washed out and make 60k at a tower, and that's if they don't fire you.
And u don't get weekends off.
It isn't all sunshine and bubble gum. They may send you to Oakland center