Birmingham ATCT/Tracon - BHM

ladiesolo Trusted Member

Anyone have any insight on BHM? Staffing levels? Good/Bad choice to start for OTS applicants? ANY info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

kaonin Newcomer

I work at BHM. I think that BHM is a good choice for a first facility. The rate of success for BHM controllers that have moved on to busy facilities like MEM, ATL, A80, etc. is very good. The tower is pretty easy, never really seems to see a huge volume of traffic, but has a couple little traffic pushes throughout the day that keep it interesting. The tracon can be very slow or very busy. There are really no procedures (ie. SIDs or STARS) in place to deal with a large volume of traffic so even at busy times it is more or less a "shoot from the hip" operation. Not sure where you heard the 95+ thing regarding the atsat, I know we have at least one dev that scored less than 95 though. Let me know if you need more info.

kaonin Newcomer

Oh, and as far as staffing levels go. I heard that we were right at our staffing number which is somewhere around 30 controllers. But I also heard that we are getting something like 4 new controllers in 2010 and I can think of at least 3 controllers that are eligible for retirement and many more that are very close, so I would imagine BHM will have openings.

RomeoJuliet Rookie OKC..BHM

jalvis81, kaonin or any other BHM controllers still around...? Looking for some updated information since January 2010. I took a tour about six months ago and I must say, I was quite impressed with what I saw.

However, I still have some questions. The standard schedule, pay and environment questions.

What schedule do the developmentals work? What about the CPC's? How difficult is it to get time off?

What criteria must be met to move up from D1, D2 and D3?

What's the work environment like? Is the relationship between the controllers and sup's/managers good?

Thanks for any replies!

BHM_ATC Newcomer BHM ATCT/TRACON

Good Morning RomeoJuilet.

The schedule changes every year. Last year we had a rotating schedule. Days off changed quarterly. This was done to allow low seniority people weekends off part of the year. This year we have permanent days off and some have an alternate work schedule(4 ten hr days).

Getting time off is relatively easier this year. With primetime leave in the summer things get tough. Get checked out, and then worry about time off and schedule. NATCA is strong at BHM. Developmentals work a schedule to best lineup with their trainers.

The relationship with management is fine. We have our days just like any other facility. Most of the supervisors have been promoted from within.


The tower goes from steady to slow to busy. It is not the most difficult area to work. I think getting checked out in all of tower garners a pay raise.

The TRACON is where we make our money. It has slow and steady times followed by holding on for dear life moments. There are no procedures at this time and this makes it interesting. Satellite aircraft climb/descend through BHM arrivals/departures all day. Satellite has quite a bit of NONRADAR area.

During Talladega Race weekends and Alabama Football games the traffic increases considerably. Talladega(ASN) and Anniston(ANB) airports have National Ground Delay programs during this time and ASN gains a temporary tower. TCL has no procedures for game days and should. We are discussing something at this time.

To work at BHM a strong will to succeed is needed and confidence to handle anything.

I hope this helps.

flyinrico Trusted Member 6 XXX 7 EXX00 10 XXX..OKC..BHM

Thank you for the information BHM_ATC! I'll be in contact with you via email shortly!

Great website by the way!

BHM_ATC Newcomer BHM ATCT/TRACON

Thanks. Im glad to help.

I forgot something..

Pay Raise..I also think getting checked out on NR/SR/FR/FD is a raise and ER/WR is the final raise. So that is 3 raises: Tower, Arrivals/Depts/Final, and Satellite airports. I have also seen 2 the pay raise system: Tower and Radar.

zachoe Senior Member Purgatory, USA

Who's the guy with the southernnnn drawllll?

BHM_ATC Newcomer BHM ATCT/TRACON

You mean the guy with a mouthful of chewing tobacco? Its BW, hes legendary.

flyinrico Trusted Member 6 XXX 7 EXX00 10 XXX..OKC..BHM

Selected for BHM! Academy April 20 though 10 June. From what I call tell browsing through the Academy Class Dates section, there appears to be a couple more BHM-bound.

Any advice on where to or where not to live?