Controller to Pilot
12-19-2023, 11:43 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 7
Controller to Pilot
Curious to see if anyone on here has made the jump from controller to pilot. Got my instrument rating a few years ago and then became a controller for financial reasons. The job has its perks but management and the forced OT staffing levels are pretty terrible.
•grossed ~150k this year (probably 175k next year with same OT)Curious to see if anyone on here has made the jump from controller to pilot. Got my instrument rating a few years ago and then became a controller for financial reasons. The job has its perks but management and the forced OT staffing levels are pretty terrible.
•grossed ~150k this year (probably 175k next year with same OT)
•400 hours of OT worked this year, mostly forced
•20 years away from pension
• short every day causing long TOP
Just curious if the grass really is greener.
•grossed ~150k this year (probably 175k next year with same OT)Curious to see if anyone on here has made the jump from controller to pilot. Got my instrument rating a few years ago and then became a controller for financial reasons. The job has its perks but management and the forced OT staffing levels are pretty terrible.
•grossed ~150k this year (probably 175k next year with same OT)
•400 hours of OT worked this year, mostly forced
•20 years away from pension
• short every day causing long TOP
Just curious if the grass really is greener.
12-19-2023, 02:35 PM
#2
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 7
Controller to Pilot
Looking for feedback from anyone who has made the switch. I have my instrument rating that I got 3-4 years ago and haven’t flown since and have since become a controller. Staffing and management is pretty bad right now at my facility and most others, and was considering trying to make the switch back. Things to consider:
•grossed $150k this year (will probably be $175k next year with same OT) not including benefits, etc.
•over 400 hours of OT this year(most of it mandatory)
•20ish years away from pension
•Relatively Stagnant pay and QOL, with our union extending our contract without a vote.
Anyone know if the grass really is greener.
•grossed $150k this year (will probably be $175k next year with same OT) not including benefits, etc.
•over 400 hours of OT this year(most of it mandatory)
•20ish years away from pension
•Relatively Stagnant pay and QOL, with our union extending our contract without a vote.
Anyone know if the grass really is greener.
12-20-2023, 05:40 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 268
Disclaimer: I was never a controller.
We had a retired Air Traffic Controller here who spent a few years working at our regional airline. He hit age 56, retired from ATC, and almost immediately came to work for us as a pilot. He'd done quite a bit of flying on the side while he was in ATC, so he already met ATP minimums at the time he was hired. I can't remember if he ever upgraded or not, but he sure seemed to enjoy the heck out of flying the Q400 and helping out with new-hire ground training. Nice guy.
After reading your post, my recommendation is for you to keep your day job until you meet the basic qualifications for some kind of flying job. Right now, you don't. I'd suggest you get VFR and IFR current, finish your commercial certificate, multiengine rating, and CFI/CFII (if you plan to instruct). At this point, you could probably get a job as a flight instructor. It won't pay $150K a year, but would allow you to build flight time toward ATP minimums.
I made a career change from engineering to flying when I was in my mid-30's. My part-time job as a flight instructor allowed me to build flight time and experience, and my "real" job as an engineer paid the bills. The pilot job market was terrible at the time, so I decided that I wouldn't leave my engineering job until I had my ATP certificate. I figured at that point I could maybe get a job doing something. It was a hard few years, and I ended up living in my car for while. In retrospect, I'd say that it was worth it, but I also think that most normal people wouldn't be willing to put up with what it took.
Good luck!
We had a retired Air Traffic Controller here who spent a few years working at our regional airline. He hit age 56, retired from ATC, and almost immediately came to work for us as a pilot. He'd done quite a bit of flying on the side while he was in ATC, so he already met ATP minimums at the time he was hired. I can't remember if he ever upgraded or not, but he sure seemed to enjoy the heck out of flying the Q400 and helping out with new-hire ground training. Nice guy.
After reading your post, my recommendation is for you to keep your day job until you meet the basic qualifications for some kind of flying job. Right now, you don't. I'd suggest you get VFR and IFR current, finish your commercial certificate, multiengine rating, and CFI/CFII (if you plan to instruct). At this point, you could probably get a job as a flight instructor. It won't pay $150K a year, but would allow you to build flight time toward ATP minimums.
I made a career change from engineering to flying when I was in my mid-30's. My part-time job as a flight instructor allowed me to build flight time and experience, and my "real" job as an engineer paid the bills. The pilot job market was terrible at the time, so I decided that I wouldn't leave my engineering job until I had my ATP certificate. I figured at that point I could maybe get a job doing something. It was a hard few years, and I ended up living in my car for while. In retrospect, I'd say that it was worth it, but I also think that most normal people wouldn't be willing to put up with what it took.
Good luck!
Last edited by DashAviator; 12-20-2023 at 06:22 AM.
12-20-2023, 07:04 AM
#4
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 7
Originally Posted by DashAviator
Disclaimer: I was never a controller.
We had a retired Air Traffic Controller here who spent a few years working at our regional airline. He hit age 56, retired from ATC, and almost immediately came to work for us as a pilot. He'd done quite a bit of flying on the side while he was in ATC, so he already met ATP minimums at the time he was hired. I can't remember if he ever upgraded or not, but he sure seemed to enjoy the heck out of flying the Q400 and helping out with new-hire ground training. Nice guy.
After reading your post, my recommendation is for you to keep your day job until you meet the basic qualifications for some kind of flying job. Right now, you don't. I'd suggest you get VFR and IFR current, finish your commercial certificate, multiengine rating, and CFI/CFII (if you plan to instruct). At this point, you could probably get a job as a flight instructor. It won't pay $150K a year, but would allow you to build flight time toward ATP minimums.
I made a career change from engineering to flying when I was in my mid-30's. My part-time job as a flight instructor allowed me to build flight time and experience, and my "real" job as an engineer paid the bills. The pilot job market was terrible at the time, so I decided that I wouldn't leave my engineering job until I had my ATP certificate. I figured at that point I could maybe get a job doing something. It was a hard few years, and I ended up living in my car for while. In retrospect, I'd say that it was worth it, but I also think that most normal people wouldn't be willing to put up with what it took.
Good luck!
We had a retired Air Traffic Controller here who spent a few years working at our regional airline. He hit age 56, retired from ATC, and almost immediately came to work for us as a pilot. He'd done quite a bit of flying on the side while he was in ATC, so he already met ATP minimums at the time he was hired. I can't remember if he ever upgraded or not, but he sure seemed to enjoy the heck out of flying the Q400 and helping out with new-hire ground training. Nice guy.
After reading your post, my recommendation is for you to keep your day job until you meet the basic qualifications for some kind of flying job. Right now, you don't. I'd suggest you get VFR and IFR current, finish your commercial certificate, multiengine rating, and CFI/CFII (if you plan to instruct). At this point, you could probably get a job as a flight instructor. It won't pay $150K a year, but would allow you to build flight time toward ATP minimums.
I made a career change from engineering to flying when I was in my mid-30's. My part-time job as a flight instructor allowed me to build flight time and experience, and my "real" job as an engineer paid the bills. The pilot job market was terrible at the time, so I decided that I wouldn't leave my engineering job until I had my ATP certificate. I figured at that point I could maybe get a job doing something. It was a hard few years, and I ended up living in my car for while. In retrospect, I'd say that it was worth it, but I also think that most normal people wouldn't be willing to put up with what it took.
Good luck!
12-20-2023, 07:26 AM
#5
done, gone skiing
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Rocking chair
Posts: 1,601
I think you recognize the dilemma you're in regarding switching careers in midstream. You are making good money, abet, with a lot of forced OT. That OT is limiting your ability to do anything other than rest until your next duty and also limiting what you can do outside of work and rest. You don’t have the flight time to fly professionally and come close to earning your current pay.
Here is a link to the relevant FAR https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.159 . This is the requirements for the ATP certificate and the minimum to get a regional job or most any professional position in an advanced (jet) aircraft.
If you can balance your current gig with building time and getting the certificates then it is possible, otherwise you will need to take a break from your ATC post and devote your energies toward this goal. With the instrument rating but no commercial,I’d guess you could finish toward CFI, build time and make the requirements in 1 1/2 years. Some have done it quicker but depending where and when and what else gets in your way, 1 1/2 years is the best I think you could hope to complete this in. If you do it while still at ATC, best guess 3 or 4 really hard years doing it part time. JMHO.
Here is a link to the relevant FAR https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.159 . This is the requirements for the ATP certificate and the minimum to get a regional job or most any professional position in an advanced (jet) aircraft.
If you can balance your current gig with building time and getting the certificates then it is possible, otherwise you will need to take a break from your ATC post and devote your energies toward this goal. With the instrument rating but no commercial,I’d guess you could finish toward CFI, build time and make the requirements in 1 1/2 years. Some have done it quicker but depending where and when and what else gets in your way, 1 1/2 years is the best I think you could hope to complete this in. If you do it while still at ATC, best guess 3 or 4 really hard years doing it part time. JMHO.
12-20-2023, 07:33 AM
#6
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,085
Originally Posted by mattey22
I appreciate the reply. That was my thought as well, keep my current job till I at least get the rest of my ratings
I don’t think you need a Ground Instructor certificate to teach RT Phraseology and Airspace.
Get a foot in the door for when you get your CFI so you can teach part time.
Dont quit your day job until you make a liveable wage flying.
Instructing or otherwise.
12-20-2023, 10:38 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 268
Here's a couple of other things to think about (from my experience as a career changer):
(1) You may have to move or commute for a flying job. I was probably moving at least once a year during my time as a CFI and later as a Part 135 pilot. The situation improved after I got a job at an airline. During my 23 years as an airline pilot, I was based at four different airports (this required three moves, as I didn't want to commute).
(2) Many entry-level flying jobs do NOT offer health insurance or retirement benefits. I missed out on 5-6 years of retirement savings during what should have been my "prime" earning years. Being 42 years old and living in a crash pad with twelve other pilots made me feel like I'd made some poor life choices.
(3) You'll probably get to work plenty of overtime as a pilot, just for less money. Again, this situation will improve as you get more seniority.
(4) There's a wide variety of ways to screw up a pilot career. This is true of controllers as well. In particular, you may have to consider the possibility that (due to poor decisions, timing, or bad luck) you can't get a job as a pilot and can't go back to ATC. This was certainly a concern in my case: I found that my engineering and math skills were obsolete after a couple of years.
Anyway, didn't mean to scare you off. I think your first move (if you want to continue on this path) is to get current and finish up your commercial certificate. Good luck!
(1) You may have to move or commute for a flying job. I was probably moving at least once a year during my time as a CFI and later as a Part 135 pilot. The situation improved after I got a job at an airline. During my 23 years as an airline pilot, I was based at four different airports (this required three moves, as I didn't want to commute).
(2) Many entry-level flying jobs do NOT offer health insurance or retirement benefits. I missed out on 5-6 years of retirement savings during what should have been my "prime" earning years. Being 42 years old and living in a crash pad with twelve other pilots made me feel like I'd made some poor life choices.
(3) You'll probably get to work plenty of overtime as a pilot, just for less money. Again, this situation will improve as you get more seniority.
(4) There's a wide variety of ways to screw up a pilot career. This is true of controllers as well. In particular, you may have to consider the possibility that (due to poor decisions, timing, or bad luck) you can't get a job as a pilot and can't go back to ATC. This was certainly a concern in my case: I found that my engineering and math skills were obsolete after a couple of years.
Anyway, didn't mean to scare you off. I think your first move (if you want to continue on this path) is to get current and finish up your commercial certificate. Good luck!
12-21-2023, 08:45 AM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
Originally Posted by mattey22
Looking for feedback from anyone who has made the switch. I have my instrument rating that I got 3-4 years ago and haven’t flown since and have since become a controller. Staffing and management is pretty bad right now at my facility and most others, and was considering trying to make the switch back. Things to consider:
•grossed $150k this year (will probably be $175k next year with same OT) not including benefits, etc.
•over 400 hours of OT this year(most of it mandatory)
•20ish years away from pension
•Relatively Stagnant pay and QOL, with our union extending our contract without a vote.
Anyone know if the grass really is greener.
•grossed $150k this year (will probably be $175k next year with same OT) not including benefits, etc.
•over 400 hours of OT this year(most of it mandatory)
•20ish years away from pension
•Relatively Stagnant pay and QOL, with our union extending our contract without a vote.
Anyone know if the grass really is greener.
Historically I would have told you what dashaviator said, keep your day job, build time, avoid debt.
But at this moment in time the retirements are unprecedented and the opportunity is frankly insane. If you're going to do it, decide asap and then go all in, to the degree that family/finances permit.
You can still catch some of the wave, and you'll be thanking yourself for decades to come.
Disclaimer: There's always the risk of Black Swans (asteroid impact, nuclear war, pandemic, etc).
12-21-2023, 03:24 PM
#9
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2022
Position: Royal Canadian Air Force (B300 Capt)
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by rickair7777
It's greener.
Historically I would have told you what dashaviator said, keep your day job, build time, avoid debt.
But at this moment in time the retirements are unprecedented and the opportunity is frankly insane. If you're going to do it, decide asap and then go all in, to the degree that family/finances permit.
You can still catch some of the wave, and you'll be thanking yourself for decades to come.
Disclaimer: There's always the risk of Black Swans (asteroid impact, nuclear war, pandemic, etc).
Historically I would have told you what dashaviator said, keep your day job, build time, avoid debt.
But at this moment in time the retirements are unprecedented and the opportunity is frankly insane. If you're going to do it, decide asap and then go all in, to the degree that family/finances permit.
You can still catch some of the wave, and you'll be thanking yourself for decades to come.
Disclaimer: There's always the risk of Black Swans (asteroid impact, nuclear war, pandemic, etc).
12-23-2023, 10:14 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 627
Originally Posted by SamuelTheKItty
If one was to speculate, absent of some black swan event, how much longer is the current wave going to last? I feel like I'm increasingly hearing about how things are starting to wind down, particularly if one isn't eligible currently to occupy the left seat in a 121 operation.
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