Taking a Leap? Is it worth it?

msschill Newcomer

This is my first time blogging so forgive me for my ignorance on this... For the past year I have been interested in applying to be an ATC. Only recently do I have the opportunity to do so. Im 27 and I was in the Army for 4 years, have GI Bill but with zero experience in anything aviation. Is it best for me to go to school, CTI? Or should I risk it and apply OTS in January (sounds like that is the next PUBNAT for the OTS) Am I lost in wish-full thinking? I do have a wife and son so moving around would take a little longer than a single person. I want to go to school and get a degree but if that means I missed the prime time to get a position then I don't even want to chance it. Also the fam and I would love to move to the Montana, Wyoming, Colorado states and even though those areas have airports is it slim to none to get a position there?
What do you veterans in aviation think about this? Thanks

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

your not "risking" anything by applying OTS. all they can do is say no to you. if you really want ATC i would try a way with better chances. ie CTI. it's probably too late to go back in the military and do ATC then get out and go FAA.

that being said...i would still apply OTS even if u decide to go CTI. if u do get hired on an OTS announcement u could always just drop out of school.

shaight Junior Member Glencoe CA

I agree with Roddy (hes my bud!) I would say start schooling and apply OTS, if you get picked up OTS then you can stop your schooling but by the time you go through the whole process I would bet that you have a least a year done of your schooling that you could transfer if you were so interested in finishing at another school or online.

If you are picky at where you would like to go I would suggest going to the facilities or at least dropping a dime and talk with the facility managers. Find out who is hiring in the next year and who is fully staffed. I would bet that you could get into Denver Center. centers are always desperate for bodies.

jamin35008 Senior Member KROC

mss,

I have somewhat of a similar situation to you as I'm thinking of starting the CTI program somewhere this winter. However, I'm 29 and running out of time fast. I have run some numbers and timelines and if I could finish my degree by end of summer 10 I figure that I might be able to catch 3 panels with the CTI and 1 or 2 OTS. Its a huge financial gamble but if it works it will be so worth the risk!

btw I have a 4yr degree already so I'm hoping for a fast track program.

P_to_the_R Ruler of the Movement Area funkytown

apply OTS as the piper says and look into Beaver County College in Pennsylvania (out by Pittsburgh). The program there is relatively quick and you get a CTO out of it! I know two people that have done that and it worked out for them just fine.

msschill Newcomer

I am not a huge gambler!! It makes me nervous to go CTI, finish and maybe the only places that I can get into are on the east coast!! I know that is very unlikely but the reasons I left the Army was that it isn't the greatest environment to raise a family and I couldn't choose where I could live. I now have that control and it worries me that another profession that i am looking into could jeopardize that. I guess the first thing I should do is apply once the PUBNAT opens in January - February and get a hold of the centers around the areas I have wanted to reside and hopefully get someone in my corner from one of those centers. Seems like a political way of one upping someone else but I guess If I want this I will have to do what it takes to make it happen. By the way if I do go CTI and never get into ATC does anyone know if those credits transfer over to another job in aviation or am I screwed as if I just took basket weaving or VCR repair? Man, I'd hate that!!

msschill Newcomer

A buddy of mine that has been trying to get me to go to BC3 graduated from there. He is now close to getting a position in D.C. (poor bastard) He's been telling me to sign up OTS and don't waste time going to school for it. Id be in quicker and without $22k debt. Does this sound right?

DODO_STNX Trusted Member Birmingham, Alabama

I would definately go to school if I were you. It has become so competitive for people OTS that your chances of getting picked up your first time or so of applying... could be pretty slim..( or you could get picked up right away) however, I had veterans preference and a 4 year degree and pilot experience and still didn't get picked up until Pubnat 5... after applying for 3 & 4

you can never go wrong with a degree... I wen't to school at MTSU which has a CTI program... I've had a lot of friends do the CTI program while majoring in Flight Dispatch or another area..... they have all had pretty good success in jobs other than ATC before making the transition...... some have even transitioned to ATC and then quit and gone back to their other jobs.... because they didn't like ATC....

ultimately only you can decide what is best for you and your family.... in any case.... you've got a ways to go.... this is a long g g g g g g g process...

Best of luck!!