Chicago Center - ZAU

queeno Newcomer

i spent 20 years in that shit hole, my advice is buy a lot of lube.

fly747 Newcomer

Quenno, would you recommend moving out of Illinois to go to a better center, such as ZMP? Just wondering, cause I have heard nothing but bad from ZAU heh.

queeno Newcomer

i dont think it will matter where you live will make you chances better getting somewhere else.

flygirl_79 Newcomer

what else have you heard about ZAU?

Freshie Newcomer

Ouch, I'm gonna be in for a treat....

Freshie Newcomer

Anybody have info on working conditions, current staffing levels, or any other nice to know information? Thanks!

ineedatc Trusted Contributor Chi-town

I had the chance to visit the facility.

Working conditions seem fine, but hard to tell because they stated to me that it was not busy yet (I visited at 9 am, it apparently does not get busy until 10am.)

Current staffing: There were two trainees in the area that I had the chance to sit in on. Everything was really laid back. There were people all over the place. What they all did/do..I have no idea.

I would suggest visiting the facility. I am thinking of going again in the next few weeks. Now that I have done a lot more of my own research, I can finally ask questions instead of being a lump on log. Everyone was so nice to me while I was there. Everyone is really bright and welcome questions.

To the person that says you have to have to invest in lube to work there. You made it 20 years...that says a lot. I listen to others opinions about a situation, but I can't define my view of it based on some elses experiences. Besides, I work for a company that allows lube as a part of its cafeteria plan. Moreover there is a six foot long threshold of the shit before you walk in the door. Trust me. if its bad it can get worse. According to jobvent.com. JD Power and Associates, FORBES, FORTUNE Magazine and yours truly, I currently work for one of the top 3 worse employers (with 500 or more employees) in the nation right now.

As to learning the job; eh...I guess we will see.

ZAU news letter:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...n/media/NL.pdf

ZAU Welcome

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...lcomeGuide.pdf

ZAU coverage area (now my avatar..lol)

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...a/ZAU-Area.jpg

mscutty77 Newcomer South Holland,IL

I'm currently training at ZAU and so far I like the place. Everyone is friendly and very helpful. I never anything negative about ZAU while I was in OKC, unlike all of the 'horror' stories I heard about other centers! Some of my OKC classmates wish that they were at ZAU!

bag1953 Newcomer

I spent my entire career as a controller (for the FAA) at ZAU. The last few years before retiring were almost unbearable. I couldn't imagine being a controller for the FAA again, and no way in hell would I do it for a 30% pay cut. I've observed most trainees are overlooking little things that will drive them crazy a few years after making CPC. It's always rosy at the beginning.

SpinningHat Mr. Hat Minneapolis, MN

A friend of mine is CPC at ZAU.. He likes it there, but says one of the Sups in his area works them 2hrs on, 25-30 off most of the time.. Says many others work the breaks much better, but enjoys what he does, but wants to come back home to MN and work at ZMP.