Pilot or ATC
07-05-2008 | 07:06 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 120
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From: Furloughed RJ to KSAT Tower/Tracon
If it helps....I did the whole pilot route, was a cfi for a while, flying for the regionals now and trying to get into ATC now for more job securtity. Took the AT-SAT last friday, should know in a few more days what I made. ASA publishes a book called Air Traffic Control Prep, its a pretty good book and will help you study for the exam. Good luck
07-05-2008 | 07:18 PM
#12
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 849
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From: Student Pilot
Absolutely don't go to school to be a controller. They are hiring folks off the street. No college degree, no formal training. Just able to speak, read and understand English. Over 18, able to hold a second class medical.
You don't need to spend ONE PENNY or minute of your life to get a controller job. And there's a reason it's so easy, and will be for years to come (well, if it's not privatized).
You don't need to spend ONE PENNY or minute of your life to get a controller job. And there's a reason it's so easy, and will be for years to come (well, if it's not privatized).
07-05-2008 | 07:45 PM
#13
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 246
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From: Reverse cowgirl
You can always play grass is greener. ATC sucks. The airline sucks. They both suck. ATC guys now flying (T.Williams) having not much good to say about ATC - Airline guys now in ATC having nothing but good things to say...I guess your damned if you do, damned if you dont. It all depends on where you are in life...I've met a number of ATC guys who are approaching retirement and have always wanted to fly...and are now or in the process of doing it.. But, bottom line is the airlines just like ATC are nothing like they used to be....They both blow. Pick your poison. I'd take being home myself......
07-05-2008 | 07:52 PM
#14
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,841
Likes: 652
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Absolutely don't go to school to be a controller. They are hiring folks off the street. No college degree, no formal training. Just able to speak, read and understand English. Over 18, able to hold a second class medical.
You don't need to spend ONE PENNY or minute of your life to get a controller job. And there's a reason it's so easy, and will be for years to come (well, if it's not privatized).
You don't need to spend ONE PENNY or minute of your life to get a controller job. And there's a reason it's so easy, and will be for years to come (well, if it's not privatized).
07-06-2008 | 10:58 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: C-172 / SH-60B (Rescue Swimmer)
Well I hope some one can give me some good advice, Im 19 and starting college to be a pilot, and thats all I have ever wanted to do, but it looks like there wont be any jobs or very few airlines hiring when im ready to apply. So I have been thinking to change my degree plan to ATC, I think it might be a more secure job to go with than an airline pilot with all the Furloughs going on. So im just looking for some advice about my plan and being a pilot. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
When you graduate college, all of your buddies that majored in business-whatever are likely to go straight to work making ok money, I'd hate to see you get hung out to dry with your aviation degree....plus the cost of your aviation degree is going to be through the roof if you are getting your flight training there as well.
07-06-2008 | 11:58 AM
#16
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
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From: Looking out the window
Maybe I'm just playing devil's advocate, I don't know. It seems that everyone in aviation says don't get a degree in aviation because it's worthless. However, I know people in the real world who say lots of jobs are like the airlines.. they could care less what your degree is in. Examples.. degree in history just to become a pharmaceutical rep makeing almost 6 figures, high school diploma to become a nuclear reactor operator. These are just a few, but I say get a degree in what you want, especially if it's something you're interested in.
07-06-2008 | 02:05 PM
#17
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 714
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From: Hotel
Agreed. The best action, IMHO, is to major in something that is readily marketable. An actual skill, not psychology or something. Get your ratings on the side and see what happens. Being a pilot just isn't a good career anymore. The competition is high, especially right now, or for the next 3-5 years anyway. If you can land a JOB, then enjoy it, but always be ready to fall back on your non-aviation training.
I am in my 2nd year at a regional. I much enjoy my job, but I am almost 90% certain that I'll be furloughed or the company will go out of business within the next 6 months. All the planets are aligning, unfortunately. I am sticking it out for now just as a "hale mary" to pad the logbook as much as I can while the getting is good, but I'll probably be back at a desk job (for which I majored in) inside of a year, unless I decide to instruct for a while, but even those jobs will probably be taken. But, I'll catch it on the upswing again. It feels good to know that I don't NEED aviation to put food on the table. You might feel the same way.
I am in my 2nd year at a regional. I much enjoy my job, but I am almost 90% certain that I'll be furloughed or the company will go out of business within the next 6 months. All the planets are aligning, unfortunately. I am sticking it out for now just as a "hale mary" to pad the logbook as much as I can while the getting is good, but I'll probably be back at a desk job (for which I majored in) inside of a year, unless I decide to instruct for a while, but even those jobs will probably be taken. But, I'll catch it on the upswing again. It feels good to know that I don't NEED aviation to put food on the table. You might feel the same way.
I would also condone working in your backup field for a little while before taking up aviation. When I graduated college, I worked for 17 months in my majored field, earned about $55,000 during the process. Bought a house, paid off the cars, etc. Life requires some prep costs to set yourself up, working in your backup field first might help you better weather the first few years of ultra low pilot pay. Also, your backup resume will have some experience on it should you ever need it.
I fly with so many pilots who have no other marketable skills. It sucks for them. If they get the oust, its back to school. You are young enough now to make the right decision at the onset.
You'll thank me later.
07-06-2008 | 08:14 PM
#18
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 29
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From: Livin' the Dream!
Since no one else has brought it up...
There is always the military option. I'm not going to preach or get into any details, there are other threads you can read, or you can ask me and I'll tell you more. I was a business/engineering major in college, and then went off to fly for the USAF for 9 years. I loved it and wouldn't trade it for anything.
But that was my experience and you need to figure out what you want.
As far as what everyone else is saying, the one thing I ABSOLUTLY agree with is to major in something that you're really interested in. You'll enjoy college a whole lot more AND you'll get better grades doing it!
Good luck!
There is always the military option. I'm not going to preach or get into any details, there are other threads you can read, or you can ask me and I'll tell you more. I was a business/engineering major in college, and then went off to fly for the USAF for 9 years. I loved it and wouldn't trade it for anything.
But that was my experience and you need to figure out what you want.
As far as what everyone else is saying, the one thing I ABSOLUTLY agree with is to major in something that you're really interested in. You'll enjoy college a whole lot more AND you'll get better grades doing it!
Good luck!
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