Hello

Denverco Newcomer

hello everyone

I have a couple questions if you dont mind

I am 23 years old and have been want to be a ATC, I am 100% OTS. Avation has always been apart of my life though. My dad works for Jeppeso. I also have 3 family friends who are currently ATC

my questions to you all:
1) what steps should i take in increase my chances of becoming an ATC? I have been attending college for the past 4 years and i would prefer not to go back to school for the CTI course.

2) I have heard the process can be pretty lenghty, and im fine with that. I havn't applied yet however, I am already starting to study for the AT-SAT test, any advice?

Any suggestions or advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward in this career and am really excited.

Thank you for you time
Mike

Singingastro Trusted Member Houston, TX

let me start by saying welcome to stuckmic!! your definitely in the right place for information seeking. i applied in July of 2008 as OTS. I have absolutely ZERO aviation background, so I wasn't sure if i would get chosen. Here it is 15 months later and i am still in the process of getting hired, hopefully, I'm almost done. lol. My advice to you, go ahead and apply next time a PUBNAT opens up. The AT-SAT is really something you don't need to study for. Just go in there and take it. From there, depending if you get "qualified" or "well qualified" will determine your options from that point. WQ scores are pushed through the hiring process before qualified. this doesnt mean you wonjt get chosen, it just increases your odds on the panels if you score well. Good luck with everything. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

sgans55 Rookie

how legit do you guys think this whole process is. it seems like a bunch of people just talking on this website yet nothing gets done.

sgans55 Rookie

hey atctower thanks for your input. i understand what you mean when you say people are full of crap. i started going to a cti school 2 years ago and have about a year left. i applied for the pubnat 8 and i am taking the test on thursday. yet people have said that they are not hiring anymore ots. is this true. then i also heard that there is no longer a demand for controllers. and also why do you think this whole process takes so long. it just seems like everyone is talking yet nobody is doing anything

sgans55 Rookie

hey thanks man, also i am taking my test tomorrow in pit so i won't be on till tomorrow night but how long after i take this test will i get my geo pref sheet? By the way thanks for all your help

RdRunnr12 Site Editor

It'll be a little while before you get your geo pref e-mail. Mine was 4 months from test date to e-mail. My guess is that should be a reasonble expectation given past timelines.

Edit: Here's my exact timeline
PUBNAT 5 - July 2008
PUBNAT 6 - August 2008
AT-Sat - Dec. 15, 2008
Geo Pref - March 27, 2009
Selection E-mail - June 2, 2009
PEPC/TOL - August 3, 2009
Still waiting, with no word on Academy date thus far. As you can see, it's a very long process!

RdRunnr12 Site Editor

What is that word that I bolded up there? Appears we don't see too much of it nowadays. Sorry, couldn't resist.

DRod It is certainly an exciting field!! San Diego

Good luck with the pursuit of your ATC career. It is certainly an exciting field!!!

legendracer79 Rookie IL

i got a question for you guys that alrdy got your geo pref alrdy, i apllied for pubnat8, and got my email allowing me to take the AT-SAT nov 20 at chicago, i see that alot of people that show there timelines have applied for more than just one pubnat, i read on this site that there is prolly going to be another pubnat sometime around january, should i apply for that pubnat aswell? even though ive alrdy been ok'd to take the AT-SAT?

RdRunnr12 Site Editor

Yes, you should apply to all future PUBNATS until you receive your TOL.