Airline Pilot <-> ATC

[captaingary]

Hello Stuckmic!

I'm an airline pilot, based in New York and SIC on a EMB-145. I've got my OTS app in for ATC.

It's something I always wanted to try, and I thing the current OTS hiring is a rare opportunity!

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who's doing the same, or is going the other way (ATC->Pilot)?

 

[mjohn47]

Never made it to work for the airlines but I am, ok ok so really I'm 10hrs short, of my commercial. Ran out of cash!

You'll find a lot of pilots in the ATC ranks from what I've seen here on SM.

 

[irishcarbomb]

i got hired but had my class cancelled 4 days prior to start at comair in june. i'll be going CFI to ATC hopefully, and looks like we're pretty much on the same track as far as time goes.

 

[dmevans]

Captain,

I'm a pilot switching over to ATC. All my flying has been part time and flying fairly small aircraft in contrast to an EMB 145. I just couldn't bring myself to being away from home 4-5 days a week to make 45k/yr. So I decided to apply for an ATC position witch gives me the best of both worlds. I still get to fly, I get to be around the airport all day, I'm home everyday, and I get paid a decent salary. What more could you ask for?!

 

[SRQ]

Hello Stuckmic!

I'm an airline pilot, based in New York and SIC on a EMB-145. I've got my OTS app in for ATC.

It's something I always wanted to try, and I thing the current OTS hiring is a rare opportunity!

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who's doing the same, or is going the other way (ATC->Pilot)?

There are many pilots, mechanics, veterans, OTS, and CTI, here at OKC going through the training program. The flight experience will help to a point. Just remember to change places from the cockpit to the controller position when your're here. I see a lot of pilots trying to do what they think is best for the aircraft and should be doing what is best for the controller.

Hope you make it. The hiring frenzey will probably continue for a few years.

 

[Towerboss]

Welcome Captaingary,

I don't know if he is on the forums or not but there are a few "Jet Link" (BTA) pilots waiting on the OTS route while they continue to fly for COA's Reginal.

Good Luck.

 

[cessna157]

Furloughed CRJ7/CRJ9 Comair F/O making the move over to the other side of the scopes too.

 

[strykr]

Captain,

I'm a pilot switching over to ATC. All my flying has been part time and flying fairly small aircraft in contrast to an EMB 145. I just couldn't bring myself to being away from home 4-5 days a week to make 45k/yr. So I decided to apply for an ATC position witch gives me the best of both worlds. I still get to fly, I get to be around the airport all day, I'm home everyday, and I get paid a decent salary. What more could you ask for?!

I only made it through my PPL and half way through my IR before I ran out of money. I tried a few different avenues to get all the way through but stumbled along pubnat 2 and figured the same reasons for doing it. I thought why not? work traffic for 20+ years, retire at a nice young age of 56ish, finish my ratings along the way build some quality time and then find a nice little Part 135 operation to "retire" with... Best of both worlds!

 

[captaingary]

Thanks for the responses guys, I was worried that I was a lone nut! I'm hoping to still fly for recreation or maybe Civil Air Patrol once I make CPC. Good luck to everyone!

 

[irishcarbomb]

i definititely plan on buying an airplane after a little while

 

[icanfly5]

I figured the same...OTS is a rare opportunity, why not give it a shot. I love flying, and it is going to kill me to give it up, but the money is great and the thought of being home every day is wonderful.

After almost 5 years at Eagle with no upgrade in sight, it's not leaving the company that's the issue as much as it is the flying and the friends I've made there.

At least I won't have to leave Chicago.

 

[BoomerSooner77]

I figured the same...OTS is a rare opportunity, why not give it a shot. I love flying, and it is going to kill me to give it up, but the money is great and the thought of being home every day is wonderful.

After almost 5 years at Eagle with no upgrade in sight, it's not leaving the company that's the issue as much as it is the flying and the friends I've made there.

At least I won't have to leave Chicago.

One of your Eagle brethren started Academy Friday for D10. He did it for the same reasons you mentioned.

 

[icanfly5]

One of your Eagle brethren started Academy Friday for D10. He did it for the same reasons you mentioned.

There are quite a few of us who have started already or still hoping...

I don't want to complain. Eagle has been fine (minus the lack of upgrade) and I'm happy to have a job, given the fact that unemployment is so common.

I am, however, very excited about having the opportunity to be a controller.

 

[strykr]

i definititely plan on buying an airplane after a little while

thats my thoughts exatly. One of the older controllers at my home field would fly to work every day from the neighboring city. 15 min flight beats 1 1/2 commute! Also, is it just me or does the thought of actually DRIVING long distances bother pilots in general?

 

[Weegie]

I just couldn't bring myself to being away from home 4-5 days a week to make 45k/yr.

I'm there with ya. This career is BS as far as I can tell. So, going to ATC, what have I really got to lose? Give up a really crappy schedule, really crappy pay, plus really crappy lifestyle to get to go home ever day. That sounds like a plan to me.

Its funny, I used to love flying, then I got a job working in the airlines... Honestly, I just cant wait to go back and do something fun with flying, like flying upside down again. Mabey I'll actually be able to afford it now, depending on what facility I get to go to.

Oh yea, one more thing... NO MORE ALPA. Yes, I know its now NATCA, but when ALPA went after my retirement, that was the last straw.

Good luck to all you guys.

 

[Nofear]

Captain,

I'm a pilot switching over to ATC. All my flying has been part time and flying fairly small aircraft in contrast to an EMB 145. I just couldn't bring myself to being away from home 4-5 days a week to make 45k/yr. So I decided to apply for an ATC position witch gives me the best of both worlds. I still get to fly, I get to be around the airport all day, I'm home everyday, and I get paid a decent salary. What more could you ask for?!

45k a year really (maybe after 3 or more years) most of the first officers at regional airlines make about 20k their first year and are gone a lot. Once you have some seniority then the quality of life and pay improves. The first year is rough and thats why I am a 1500 hour CFI heading to ATC. I want to keep flying some and hopefully some day maybe do some corporate flying.

 

[atp2atc]

Hey icanfly5 i'm also a former eagle pilot. I was Boston based until I got displaced to jfk and I decided with the lack of stability in the industry the career wasnt worth it anymore. I definetly miss flying for eagle but dont miss the headache that went with being an airline pilot.

 

[icanfly5]

Hey icanfly5 i'm also a former eagle pilot. I was Boston based until I got displaced to jfk and I decided with the lack of stability in the industry the career wasnt worth it anymore. I definetly miss flying for eagle but dont miss the headache that went with being an airline pilot.

So where are you at in the process?

 

[atp2atc]

I'm just getting the ball rolling, I applied to pubnat7 so now i'm just waiting to take the test. About 2 months ago I took a tour of the Boston ARTCC in nashua, nh and I really liked what I saw so that got me to start making the move.

 

[ATCSlave]

While im not from Eagle, im definetely in the same boat. Its not that I dont love flying or don't wanna do it anymore, its the 20k/yr, away from home 4-5days/week, no retirement to speak of, and the being stuck on reserve for almost 1.5yrs and counting with no chance of holding a line; let alone upgrade.
In my eyes ATC is something ive always been curious about, and the more I find out about it the more I am becoming interested on being the other end of things. I still get to hang out at the airport, and as far as flying I think I can still find some part time 135/CFI'ing gigs to keep things going on that end.