Facility/Type of ATC selection

ArchieLeague Rookie

I just started my first year of CTI school in Broward. When is a good time, or when will it be mandatory to decide what facility (Tower, Approach, Center) to work at. Personally I think I want to be in the tower but when do you have to make a selection? Before OKC? After? Thanks

CLEATCT2010 Senior Member Ohio

Unless it changes, you'll select your preference (Terminal or En route) when you apply to an application. Keep in mind that the terminal application includes tower and TRACON (you could end up in either/or or both for an "up-down" facility). I know with the PUBNAT applications you choose terminal or en route and then later you'll select your geographic preference. If you apply on the CTI application I believe you get the same selection (but I can't remember since it's been almost a year since I applied on the CTI app). You won't be able to choose what facility you work at (you get a choice of states to work in, with the first state being the most desirable to you, second state second desirable, etc., up to 5 states). So you have time to decide which you like better but personally I would make the decision soon so you know what you really want to focus on.

Also, you can turn down an offer from the FAA to get another, but it really takes a long time if you do that.

The Fold Transmitting in the Blind South Florida

You no longer get to choose. You just choose two states now.

sshotick Newcomer

the way around that that our CTI profs said is that if we didnt want to go center, to put down states that didnt have a center in them, it limits your possibilities statewise but does work...if you do want a center, there really is no way to force that so you simply take what you get in that case

Sam

AlaskanMatt Junior Member Alaska

So did something change? Last year I was talking to a controller who made it sound like you put down what type of facility you want to work at (Tower, Tracon, Center.)

auxxiliary Senior Member Anchorage, Alaska

In a CTI program up here in Alaska right now and we are put through all the simulators and classes for Tracon/Center and Tower positions but were told that wed have a choice of what wed be doing in our careers as ATC. But I hope I am right about this but as far as I can see from what you've posted that would be untrue?

ccollins Rookie ABQ, NM

The applications for OTS and CTI are different. CTI applicants get to choose two states. OTS applicants get to choose terminal or enroute and then specify states at a later date.

You can turn down an offer if you would like a different type of facility, but that's rather drastic.

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

2 states as of last time, at least. It keeps changing. At one point it was five choices.

mbalunda Epic Member

CTI applicants don't get to choose the facility type they'll work at, they just choose 2 state preferences.

OTS applicants on the other hand select facility type, as well as the 2 states they prefer to work in.

ATCtower Epic Member

As far as I know, OTS applicants no longer have the option either.

I do know they will not be allowing CTI'ers to select their type of facility as the FAA believes they know what is best for each...