I’ve went back and forth long and hard about whether to create this thread, and I think this still is advantageous for people looking for a career change. With everything happening in the news, this career has been highlighted even more. And that can either be really good, or maybe we this career might suffer temporarily. Either way you’re making really good $$, and not working that particularly hard about 80% of the time.
Must be younger than 31 before you apply
Bid is open until March 17th
I’ve made this thread a couple of different times since I've been on this site, and have had about 4-5 Coli brehs reach out to me that they got hired and went on to the FAA Academy for 3 months (shout-out to them, hopefully y'all passed and are on to your facilities)
Really this is the reason I joined this site. I'm basically one of like 4 black men/women in my building. This career needs more young black men.... Plus y'all can help me with my breaks and seniority.
What is Air Traffic control?
Basically these are the people who are either in a tower, or a government building that talk to planes/pilots and give them clearances for takeoff.. clear them to land.. move them around weather.. basically make sure that everyone in the sky doesn't hit one another.
How much can I make with ATC?
Generally even a low level tower (think of a tiny airport near you) will make 100k+ with overtime and different differentials. But the real $$ is going to be made at either a bigger tower aka bigger airport... or with a Tracon or Center. These are the locations that cover all the other airspace in the US around the bigger airports. Think of when you're flying above the clouds 30,000 ft above the air, these are the people who are talking to the commercial airlines or even the GA pilots that take off from middle of now where airports. Once you are done with training, you will make 160k+ with increases in pay yearly. However even "halfway" done with training you are still making 100k+ a year because you have ratings and big raises as you progress through training.
What do I gotta do in order to get hired?
You have to input your resume on USAJobs.. and find the announcement when the days happen. To find an announcement, search for job series "2152", and make sure U.S. Citizens is marked in the "who may apply box". The job title is Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee, and the announcement number will be something like "FAA-ATO-16-ALLSRCE-49075". Note the "ALLSRCE", this indicates the "no experience" bid. The FAA also announces its internal bids on usajobs; if you SEE these, they are not hiring announcements for NEW hires.
What qualifications do I need?
What happens after I apply?
You will wait for an email and set up a time for a test that you need to pass in order to get to the next step.. in this test there is basically a bunch of "games" and math problems that you need to do well on. Things like "separating multiple dots on a screen while also doing math problems".. and "memorizing 10 sets of numbers in order", etc. etc.
If you score high enough.. you then get an offer letter to go to Oklahoma City for 3-4 months (paid) for the FAA Academy where they teach you how to do the job in a smaller way. This part is actually pretty difficult. Won't sugar coat this part, but generally around 50% of the people who come here don't pass..... HOWEVER from what I've read they've done a much better job of being able to pass people on a more consistent basis, while also being able to pocket 3-4k while you're down there.
Why am I posting this on here?
I work in a Center.. and I'm at the bottom in terms of seniority, and I want other people in the community to get an opportunity to see this and apply. There need to be more of us in the aviation community, it's a great living in terms of $$ and retirement. So anyone who generally wants to know more. Let me know.. there’s a lot of misinformation about this topic and career.
It’s still one you can set yourself and your family up for life, retire early, and still live a very comfortable life
Must be younger than 31 before you apply
Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee
<p>As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), you are responsible for the safe and expeditious movement of air traffic throughout our nation's airspace. </p><p>The new supercharged air traffic controller hiring opportunity will bring more of America’s best and brightest into the aviation...
www.usajobs.gov
Bid is open until March 17th
I’ve made this thread a couple of different times since I've been on this site, and have had about 4-5 Coli brehs reach out to me that they got hired and went on to the FAA Academy for 3 months (shout-out to them, hopefully y'all passed and are on to your facilities)
Really this is the reason I joined this site. I'm basically one of like 4 black men/women in my building. This career needs more young black men.... Plus y'all can help me with my breaks and seniority.
What is Air Traffic control?
Basically these are the people who are either in a tower, or a government building that talk to planes/pilots and give them clearances for takeoff.. clear them to land.. move them around weather.. basically make sure that everyone in the sky doesn't hit one another.
How much can I make with ATC?
Generally even a low level tower (think of a tiny airport near you) will make 100k+ with overtime and different differentials. But the real $$ is going to be made at either a bigger tower aka bigger airport... or with a Tracon or Center. These are the locations that cover all the other airspace in the US around the bigger airports. Think of when you're flying above the clouds 30,000 ft above the air, these are the people who are talking to the commercial airlines or even the GA pilots that take off from middle of now where airports. Once you are done with training, you will make 160k+ with increases in pay yearly. However even "halfway" done with training you are still making 100k+ a year because you have ratings and big raises as you progress through training.
What do I gotta do in order to get hired?
You have to input your resume on USAJobs.. and find the announcement when the days happen. To find an announcement, search for job series "2152", and make sure U.S. Citizens is marked in the "who may apply box". The job title is Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee, and the announcement number will be something like "FAA-ATO-16-ALLSRCE-49075". Note the "ALLSRCE", this indicates the "no experience" bid. The FAA also announces its internal bids on usajobs; if you SEE these, they are not hiring announcements for NEW hires.
What qualifications do I need?
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (Required for males born after 12/31/1959)
- Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application period (with limited exceptions)
- Have either one year of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of both
- Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
- Be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs
What happens after I apply?
You will wait for an email and set up a time for a test that you need to pass in order to get to the next step.. in this test there is basically a bunch of "games" and math problems that you need to do well on. Things like "separating multiple dots on a screen while also doing math problems".. and "memorizing 10 sets of numbers in order", etc. etc.
If you score high enough.. you then get an offer letter to go to Oklahoma City for 3-4 months (paid) for the FAA Academy where they teach you how to do the job in a smaller way. This part is actually pretty difficult. Won't sugar coat this part, but generally around 50% of the people who come here don't pass..... HOWEVER from what I've read they've done a much better job of being able to pass people on a more consistent basis, while also being able to pocket 3-4k while you're down there.
Why am I posting this on here?
I work in a Center.. and I'm at the bottom in terms of seniority, and I want other people in the community to get an opportunity to see this and apply. There need to be more of us in the aviation community, it's a great living in terms of $$ and retirement. So anyone who generally wants to know more. Let me know.. there’s a lot of misinformation about this topic and career.
It’s still one you can set yourself and your family up for life, retire early, and still live a very comfortable life
not qualified
