Contract Tower Locations

governmentcheez · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 10:27 AM

Contract Tower Locations

pages 24 and 25

meatasaurusx · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 12:09 AM

ok, this is probably a really dumb question. what is the difference between the faa and contract towers, and what are the pro's and con's of each. again, i am just curious so sorry if this is a dumb question. thanks

REGGieSD · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 03:10 PM

well, faa towers obviously is a govt job..so "supposedly" you have job security and "good pay"...and the contract towers are privately owned by lockheed martin i think and they don't pay as well...but don't take my word for it, that's just what i heard.

DOD_ATC · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 03:49 PM

The contract towers are not run nor privately owned by LM. They are contracted to one of three companies; Midwest ATC, Serco, and RVA.

They generally are the lower level, slower facilities. Pay is set by the dept of labor (currently around $26-$28 per hr), and benefits can at times be mediocre at best.

Overall, the contract towers are staffed by either retired military/FAA controllers or by military controllers waiting for a position with either the DOD or FAA.

Yes, the FAA generally has job security, and better benefits (health, life, retirement), but you would probably get a much different answer from one of the former FSS g.