Just retired after 25 years. If you think airline management is bad get hired by the FAA as a controller (I've worked for both.) You will soon see, comparatively speaking, that that the worst managed airline is much better than FAA management. And also don't count on flying on the side. The FAA is putting the brakes on that. Calling it a conflict of interest. I flew part 135 corporate and after a while got talked to by my supervisor and had to sign a paper from FAA legal that stated that if I flew for hire again that I understand that I will be terminated immediately. It really sucks there. If you don't believe me just look at all the retirements. Most, like myself, are going the day they are eligible. I was making $160,000 plus a year and it wasn't worth it any longer. Many in our facility made over $200K with overtime and they are bailing out. New employees shouldn't count on making half that much at any point in your career.

 

see if your still smiling when the FFA turns ATC over to Boeing or LockMart and you pension is down the toilet, just ask the FSS folks how they were treated

 

Is the AT-SAT the same as the FAA pre-employment test?

 

If I can keep a job in aviation I'll be happy. A newly painted old jet isn't everything at the rate things are happening these days.

 

I sure hope not. Since LockMart took over FSS's suck.

Yeah, privatization is the answer

 

I've seen in get better or at least the people I've dealt with or the phone.

 

Go ask a former ATC controller who is on the street now because of a "contract tower". There are plenty of ATC guys who lost their jobs just before retirement, much like the pilot industry. If you dont know what a contract tower is, it is a tower facility that is run by a private contractor employing controllers who are not employed by the FAA, and are paid a lower salary (many are former military controllers) and they are all over the place. The used to be FAA controlled facilities. Basically any tower that did not a have a tracon facilitiy colocated on the premesis became a contract tower. Every tower in the PHX area except sky harbor are contract towers. So yes there are 4000 controllers on the streets, and I know this because I deal black jack with one of them.

 

Why are there 4,000 controllers on the street when the FAA can't hire enough controllers?

The reason the FAA is recruiting off the street is because the controllers brought in during the Reagan administration are retiring.

 

The program you're referring to was in response to the post strike era (post Aug 3, 1981). All the controllers displaced from contract towers were offered positions at FAA facilities. Your 4000 number on the streets is just whacked. None were put on the streets. The agency is currently GROSSLY understaffed for ATC positions. That's why they'll hire anybody.

Now, in the last few years, Oct 1, 2005, the FAA put 2200 Flight Service folks on the street. That's true. I think only about 300 were able to get an ATC job. Could that be what you're referring to ?

 

Meat is exactly right. I did it and was very grateful that I did. I've got two degrees in the aviation field, non-pilot, and flew on the side. Now I have much more knowlege about the industry and get to fly if I want. It's a win-win.