anybody know what type of salarys atc make? What type of training would i have to go through to become an air traffic controller?

 

In the computer industry, we'd tell you to F*#kin' Google it:

http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportun...c_controllers/

Enjoy!

 

Depends on what level facility you get into, but don't hold your breath. ATC just went through a major restructure on Payscales and what not, which means max attainable pay scales have been hacked by 30-50k a year. if you get hired (I've been waiting for 2 years and know many who have been on the list longer) expect to make a salary during training equivelant to 18,000 a year... with no benefits and no compensation for living or moving expenses. Get hired, get through training and make it to your facility... well, you still have to check out at that facility in all positions (at a tower, ground, local, clearance delivery, etc...) before you get bumped to the introductory salary, which could be anywhere from 37,000 - 75,000/ year. During the checkout period (1 -2 years if you don't wash out) expect to get paid between 18,000 and 50,000.

There's also the privatized towers that one might be able to get into, but expect to work twice the hours for half the pay and benefits.

Personally I've about had it with this waiting BS and don't know if it's worth the PITA it has become even if I do get offered a job. Not to say it isn't a good job with decent pay and benefits, once you get there, but make sure it's something you would really enjoy doing first. To do that I would look at the CTI (college training initiate) programs. Two of the more noteable ones are at UND and Embry Riddle (duh). When all is said and done, though, it doesn't really matter. If you ever do get hired every facility will more or less make you relearn from scratch what to do, cause every facility will have it's own way of running things.

Hope this gives you some insight.

 

http://atpayplan.natca.net/pay_calculators.htm

 

Touchy subject for me. . . so I won't even bother.

It's not worth the trouble anymore. The FAA has screwed me, and many other potential candidates from a job that we once loved. . . but no longer are willing to do at 30% the rates of a generation before us.

 

If only pilots could actually feel the same way.

 

What, no Shiny Video Processor Syndrome?

 

The airlines are a far more competitive market than providing ATC services.

 

anybody think the wages will return to the levels they were once at? Or at least close to it?

 

Not with 1960's era equipment in most of the US facilites.

I stopped by a local tower the other day. I swear the only thing holding the radio equipment together was duct tape and a prayer (and maybe a piece of chewing gum...) The controller said they can't get parts because everything is so old, so their MX guy has to build things himself to keep everything up and running. The phone looked like something from Leave it to Beaver.