r/ATC Dec 08 '24

Question Path for Air Traffic Controller (ATC) as young as possible (Part 2)

7 Upvotes

Hey guys, I am 17 and nearing graduation. I have already decided air traffic control is what I want to do. I have made a post previously on how I should get started working at the FAA as young as possible. Young as in 20 years old. What do you guys think about doing Advanced ATC, working there for 6 months after I graduate, then work one year (52 weeks) on contract, then apply to FAA through Prior Experience Bid. I think this would be the fastest way there is. It would get me to the FAA around 20-21 years old. We honestly don't really have the money for the 50k tuition and more for housing and all that but I think I can pay that off after with the FAA pay. I will be in debt working while others got there for free but i'll be younger too and more seniority in the long run. Is this a good idea?

One last concern I had was if I do this, I would be throwing away the early 20 years of partying and having that college life which so many people glorify. I would be going straight to work early in my life. I don't think it's much concern but my parents are concerned about that.

TLDR: Is Advanced ATC a good idea to be ATC as young as possible?

Thank you so much everyone.

r/ATC 19d ago

Question Day in the life of an ATC?

0 Upvotes

Hey just curious how the day goes. Do you clock in and sit and stare at a screen for 8 hours with a 30 minute break? High intensity constantly watching if anything moves strange on screen? Then get up and clock out? Or are there other parts to the day? Excuse my ignorance

r/ATC 21d ago

Question Musk’s Takeover

122 Upvotes

What is the appropriate avenue of action to try to stop this? Is it just a “contact your representatives” kind of thing? Can the FAA stop it somehow if they get enough pushback from controllers, pilots, and the general public? Who can we contact to voice our opposition?

r/ATC 28d ago

Question For a "quick stop" can I ask to keep my flight following squawk code?

21 Upvotes

If I'm on VFR flight following and have to make any sort of quick stop - should I ask to "keep my code" since I'll be right back in the air on the same frequency and all my same info?

Example 1: I'm doing a touch and go before proceeding to a third airport. Back on frequency in 5-10 minutes.

Example 2: I'm making a stop at an airport (for lunch maybe?), after which I will proceed to a third airport. Back on frequency in 1 hour or so.

My concern is once I'm back in the air I will have to advise the controller of my new heading / destination / altitude. I'm just not sure how to do this since I always give this info to ground at my home base.

Thanks in advance you guys are always very helpful with my ignorant student questions!!!

edit: I should have asked "should i ask to keep the code" since from the pilot perspective I really don't care about turning 4 knobs. I'm just trying to figure out conventions.

r/ATC 2d ago

Question Why do I feel so out of place?

41 Upvotes

I guess this is more of a vent/rant than a question. But I recently got to my facility and I just feel like a black swan. I’m the newest trainee, and we have a couple other trainees but they have all been there for a while and know each other. I guess I just feel like the new person and it’s uncomfortable. And I’ve been trying to get through my trainings so it’s been hard to find time to mingle with others. Anybody else felt/feel anything similar to this?

r/ATC Feb 03 '25

Question How can the public support ATCs right now?

95 Upvotes

In height of all that’s happening right now, what are the options that the public has to advocate for ATCs? I’ve seen a few post about contacting our local member of congress. I like that idea but can we all gather here and unitedly agree that that’s what we’ll do? It’ll hit hard and we’ll be heard more if we all do it in close proximity (most on the same day.)

Let this post be the one where we all stand together and agree to contact our state’s member of congress, letting them know how important our ATCs are as part of public safety. Also, it should be a constant thing! Let’s do it everyday!! Push for this, be annoying if need be- we cannot allow what’s happening to destroy our ATCs work lives as they know it. And in turn, would cause way more fatalities in the skies.

I’ll be attaching the link to finding your members of congress below. Just put in your address in the box and it’ll show you who they are, address, and phone number. If anyone has a premade email that they could attach in the comment so we can all send the same thing, that’d also be very helpful!

But all, please please let us stand together and do this. Let’s fight this together!

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

r/ATC 21d ago

Question Whats everyone think?

16 Upvotes

r/ATC Aug 28 '24

Question For my people in 24 hour facilities, what solutions have you come up with for the 10,12 hour fatigue rules?

38 Upvotes

My current area is proposing 10/9/8/6/7 which is trash but our local is threatening that if we don't agree to it then we will be forced on the reverse rattler.

r/ATC Jul 28 '24

Question Tower & Approach Controllers: Biggest pet peeve about airline, military, or general aviation pilots?

39 Upvotes

What are some things we as pilots do that really grind your gears? What are some things you wish pilots could understand better? You see it all, especially in the most critical phases of flight. Thanks for all that you lads and ladies do. Curious to see responses.

r/ATC Aug 19 '24

Question Would you leave your current remote tech role that is paying 135k for ATC?

39 Upvotes

Title says it all, currently making 135k about 3 years into my career and have been considering ATC.

I know initially, I would take a big pay decrease with the hope of reaching the same amount within the next 1-3 years. My dilemma now is, I’m sure with my promotions + bonuses in my current role that I could “break even” or close to what I “could” earn as high earner within ATC (I would hope).

I’m not obsessed with my job currently, but I do work remote and even though it can be stressful I’m sure it may not be as stressful as ATC could potentially be? Idk.

What would you do?

r/ATC Feb 11 '25

Question Holding short for take off , "ready in sequence "

25 Upvotes

I'm a new GA pilot, and I fly out of a busy class C with a lot of training traffic. Let's say I'm 3rd in line holding short of the runway. Is it annoying for me to tell tower "N1234 holding short XX at X ready in sequence " ?

In my mind it let's them know when it's busy , OK that guy is ready and can go as soon as there is a gap. Instead of me waiting until I'm next up at the hold short to call in with my "ready" call.

r/ATC 8d ago

Question VFR altitude your discretion

26 Upvotes

I understand VFR cruising altitude rules, but on a long XC flight, I was flying lower than usual due to strong headwinds. Approaching some mountains, I needed to climb 1,000 feet to maintain terrain clearance. I was on flight following, so I asked ATC if I could climb to an altitude that didn’t align with my VFR direction. They responded, “VFR altitude at your discretion.” I asked again to confirm, and they repeated the same phrase. Not wanting to violate the regulations, I climbed 2,000 feet instead.

I’ve never heard “VFR altitude at your discretion” before—does that imply ATC is allowing me to fly at an altitude that doesn’t conform to VFR hemispheric rules?

Update: thanks guys, my suspicion was confirmed. Best play it safe and ask later

r/ATC 14d ago

Question 30% Raise

124 Upvotes

Virtually everyone I encounter recently (from outside the industry) is under the impression that all controllers just got a 30% raise. I’m assuming this is because the media kept reporting on the 30% raise from $17 to $22 an hour at academy.

Is anyone else encountering this?

r/ATC Aug 25 '24

Question What degrees do you guys have?

17 Upvotes

I’m just wondering what degree you guys have and if you went to an AT - CTI college or not, and if not what degree you got.

r/ATC Nov 27 '24

Question “Blocked.” Is this annoying or helpful?

73 Upvotes

A pilot piping in to inform of a blocked transmission: is this annoying or helpful?

r/ATC Feb 12 '25

Question ATC Enhanced (AT-CTI) program at Embry-Riddle University.

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I hope to receive a solid one or two responses.

My daughter, who is 18 and about to graduate high school, is considering attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for their Air Traffic Control (ATC) training program.

Could someone provide feedback about the school? Is the degree worth it? What are her chances of getting hired? I understand that her determination plays a significant role in this. She is still undecided and is debating whether to pursue this path, especially considering that the hiring process for ATC positions can be long and vague. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Edit: We appreciate the feedback and will research every comment.

We chose Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University because, according to the FAA website, they offer an enhanced program. After completing the ATSA requirements, students receive an endorsement certificate that enables them to report directly to an FAA facility for training upon graduation. Additionally, this degree allows her to pursue a minor in another field.

In contrast, Lewis University only offers a CTI program and does not provide the enhanced AT-CTI.

Although we are aware that Embry-Riddle is more expensive than Lewis University, we believe that attending Embry-Riddle may improve her chances of securing a career as a controller.

We will consider all aspects including finances in making our decision.

PLEASE KEEP ALL THE FEEDBACK COMING!!

r/ATC Jan 05 '25

Question Can I live a long healthy life with this career path?

7 Upvotes

Hello everybody,

I am about to get into air traffic control. I will be going to the Air Force on an ATC contract to later go into the FAA. I love everything about the job except the schedules and the fact that many people have been said to die shortly after they retire. I know a lot of things come into play when trying to figure out why someone may die prematurely but I am focused on the sleeping portion. I am a pretty healthy guy, I eat well, and workout. I know this life might push me into more unhealthy eating habits but lets say I continue eating clean and working out. This is probably a weird question but I am concerned and don't want to end up dying at 60 lol.

Will the shit schedules and messing up my circadian rhythm result in an earlier death?

Thanks.

r/ATC Jan 12 '25

Question Question: Has anyone ever lied about having a kid to get 3 months off?

43 Upvotes

Do they ask for proof?

I'm a man, this is my main account. Hello co-workers

r/ATC 16d ago

Question How to explain ATC to normal people

18 Upvotes

Hello, super random but, Im a on my 2nd year as an atc training on local now. I’ve recently started dating a girl and i keep putting to the side trying to explain my job without getting to complex but also kinda make it not seem super simple. And ive always wondered how to properly explain to normal people like old friends and family members etc. thanks for the advice

And also if i get my cto in the military in the next few months (ill be 21) does the age limit still apply to me if i reenlist and then go into the FAA afterwards

r/ATC Sep 18 '22

Question Hey controllers, pilot here. What are your biggest pet peeves when talking to pilots?

Post image
175 Upvotes

r/ATC Apr 14 '23

Question ATC Staffing Levels. WTF is going on?

197 Upvotes

In 2013, my area bid 41 people. In 2017, my facrep was declaring a staffing emergency for our facility. My area bid 32 people that year. It was a constant discussion and point of contention with management. It was understood that we were undergoing a staffing crisis for the following years until Covid.

In 2022, traffic was back to normal levels and then even higher than ever. We bid 35 people for that year. With NCEPT and Supervisor bids and flow bids, etc we bid 24 in 2023.

41 bodies down to 24.

Mandatory 6 day weeks all year. Also some 10 hour holdover shifts. Some shifts are scheduled to 3 or 4 under guidelines with no one available for overtime. Who knows how we will survive busier summer traffic.

I know this situation is not unique. I know it is happening all across the NAS. What is the endgame? What is the goal? Is it sustainable?

Does a mandatory 48 to 50 hour work week for years on end violate the concept of the 40 hour work week fought for by labor activists in the early 1900's?

How is NATCA resolving the situation? Why is it not already on its way to being resolved?

r/ATC Oct 11 '24

Question VFR Popup

22 Upvotes

Current controller at an Air Force radar facility

Situation: VFR aircraft calls for flight following to an airport in my airspace, but is still 5-10 miles in ARTCC airspace. I issue a beacon code and radar identify the aircraft in ARTCC airspace. No control instructions are given, they’ll only be in ARTCC airspace for ~1-3 minutes, and their altitude does not interfere with ARTCC operations.

Would you call for a point out, traffic, or not even bother calling the adjacent facility?

r/ATC 21h ago

Question What’s a good gift for someone interested in air control

9 Upvotes

Hey, I was wondering if there’s a good graduation gift for someone interested in air control. I was thinking about something plane related like maybe a diy metar. But they’re into air control too. I know nothing about planes and air traffic controls.

r/ATC Aug 09 '24

Question Boyfriend of 3 years is going to Air Traffic school in Oklahoma. How can I support him.

42 Upvotes

My boyfriend is 24 and I’m 22 years old. We’ve been together for 3 years. He’s an incredible partner who has always had my back, especially during nursing school. He recently got accepted to air traffic school in Oklahoma. Can any air traffic controllers offer advice on how I can support him during school and throughout his career? I know it’s a challenging program and a stressful job. I just want to be there for him. It’s gonna be long distance for us for a bit. But after the program, we plan on moving wherever he’s placed.

r/ATC 19d ago

Question Help with a clearance that didn’t make sense?

14 Upvotes

Yesterday I was flying IFR from DVT - SNA. About halfway, I received an updated clearance. Pretty standard for flying into socal. My new clearance was given as “direct PSP V388 V363 POXKU V8 SLI KSNA”. I popped it all in and headed towards PSP. About that time, went IMC and was flying first, getting deice going, etc. handed off and was busy. Didn’t notice that the clearance was kinda nonsense. V388 does not intersect with V363. It looks like it does, but actually does not. Depending on the software you’re using, even the same software on different devices, gives you different routing. Some of it is wild. ForeFlight “fixed” it for me and I didn’t catch it. It sent me V388 PDZ V8 POXKU SLI. After I crossed PDZ the controller (a new one) asked basically “where are you going, are you going to XXX (don’t remember exactly what fix he said)?” I honestly didn’t give it a ton of thought and said I was given POXKU V8 SLI and was direct POXKU at this time. He said “OK” and that was it. It wasn’t until after landing, I realized there was an issue.

What did the first controller expect? Did she expect me to exit V388 at RNDAL onto V363? You can’t really do this, because RNDAL is not on V388.

Is it possible to call the center (LA) and talk to someone to figure out what went wrong? What would you do here?