1-1-1. No front-page posts relating to the US hiring process

So I am a pilot who took the worst and shittiest way to commercial and ran out of money, no job hiring. ATC has always interested me, and I passed the screening/and am now gearing up for the ATSA, but I’m starting to wonder what it would look like. I want to stay in the vicinity of where I’m at (long term GF is close to being vested at her company, I own property, etc.) and if I’m being honest, I prefer being on the GA side way more than I do being on the airline side, and after touring an en route and a tower, I much prefer a tower. What kinds of options do I have? Am I being dumb thinking like this? Just looking for some guidance. TIA!

Hello there,

I’m wondering if anyone have any information about eurocontrol ATC training selection process what are the contents of the online examination is it FEAST test if so is the preparation platform that is provided from eurocontrol themselves sufficient to learn with what is the best way to prepare for the test?

Kind regards

i’ve been wanting to become an air traffic controller for awhile now. finally pulled the trigger and applied for training in alaska last month. im a 24 yr old bartender in michigan that dropped out of college with no aviation experience. i haven’t got any feedback from them. i’m also a canadian citizen and was wondering if its worth to applying to navcanada? and if there’s any true difference in the hiring and training process. and if there’s any way to gain experience that can help my chances of getting hired.

Is Oklahoma City the only facility that you get paid to do the training at? My biggest peeves are going to Oklahoma and them placing you somewhere random.

My other question is do you guys think it’s worth it?

My other option is to go in a plumbing direction, I was working in the movies building sets but the industry as a whole has imploded. Sigh anyway I’m considering atc I have this year to decide because I turn 31 next year. And so I thought I’d give atc school a swing I love aviation and think it’s a good fit.

So I’m quite curious as to how the salaries can range as a controller. I’ve seen multiple different numbers online but wanted to come on here and hope to see more realistic numbers from someone in the field.

Hello,

First of all, thank you for all you do. I am an instrument student pilot and have a question that I cannot seem to find a definitive answer for in the books.

On random, direct RNAV (GPS) routes, does ATC ensure en route obstacle clearance? For example, some TEC routes require a descent portion of off-airway flying, navigating using GPS. Previously cleared ATC routes show aircraft flying well below the OROCA (off route obstruction clearance altitude) for the entirety of the route. The same seems to occur often on GPS-direct routes. When filing these routes, do you guys have a means of determining that a given altitude is safe along the route when it is below our OROCA? I can’t seem to understand how to determine an altitude to select when filing a direct IFR route, especially since so many seem to be flying below the OROCA.

For reference, this is all within a radar environment.

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thank you so much. I’m also sorry if this is an obvious question and there is something that I am missing.

I’m trying to choose between going to a non-Fed Tower or a FCT. My main question is eventually I want to get into the FAA so will they look at a non-fed Tower differently than a FCT Tower. Will the “experience” at a non-fed be better or worse “experience” than a FCT in the eyes of the FAA? I have a CTO btw.

I’m currently in the process of separating from the AF. When applying to RVA they have an option of choosing 3 locations. What are the chances i actually get one of those I select? If i don’t get selected at one of those, but they like i have a CTO would they offer me another position? and finally, if the chance of getting a selected location is low, is there a way to see the manning so i don’t waste picks on booked places?

I'm going though CIL, just need background and medical. I'm having second thoughts. My concerns are mainly work life balance. it seems like schedules are horrible and sleep schedules are detrimental to health. While work life balance is non existent.

I don't mind the grind sometimes. My current career is similar. However I would like to have some sort of balance. Who wouldn't?

I understand the perks of this job. The benefits are nice. The pay is ok (depending where I end up). I love Aviation in general.

My conconcerns:

I don't want to get stuck in some BS facility in the middle of nowhere.

I'd like to switch to a facility near family but everyone says don't count on it.

Even if I get to the facility of my choosing I'm going to get stuck working and strange rotating schedule with minimal days off and a horrible sleep schedule for 26 years.

Unless I get Enroute I won't be making good money?

If I'm placed in Terminal I can only get into level 5-7 facilities making crap pay until I certify and spend many years trying to move up a Level?

Are my concerns all valid? Or have I been misinformed? Also I would like to hear your thoughts on how this career has gone for yall.

For some context this is my last chance for a day or nay. I'm over 30 now. Going back to school for a degree. And currently in a good paying job that will probably come to an end in a few years. Hence the need for a career change

Any key prep advice or missteps to be aware of?

I’m a pilot and recently did a tower tour at my local airport and I really enjoyed being in the tower. The staff mentioned there is a mix of contractors and Air Force staffed in the tower and that they have seen people of all ages hired. I thought the only way was via the FAA and meeting age limitations but wondering if one could apply as a part time contractor and if so is there any exam or classes to take to improve my chances of getting selected? Not really interested in it full time just want to be a little more involved when it comes to aviation.

Like the title says, I’m looking at a career change from being a nurse. My main reasons for the shift are benefits related. I know it would be a pay cut for a few years before I caught up to what I make now, but in the long run I think it might be worth it. My wife is also a nurse so she has the flexibility to find a job wherever we go. I’m scheduled to take my AT-SA in 2 weeks. I’m just looking for a little career advice or if anyone has made the shift.

I just received a email from the FAA to take the ATSA exam. I am also very close to signing with the Navy as an AC. Which would be the better option? I only plan on doing 4 years in the Navy before transferring over but I'm not sure if I would be better off financially or mentally just going straight into the FAA. What is your experience with either route?

I’m currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. While I enjoy aspects of my job, it often involves managing high-stress situations, particularly aggressive behaviors from clients. I handle stress well, but after years in the field and enduring physical injuries on the job, I’m realizing that breaking $100k in this career might be a stretch—especially considering the personal toll it has taken.

Recently, I decided to explore a career change and applied for the Air Traffic Controller Trainee position back in October. I was thrilled to get accepted and now have the assessment scheduled for later this month. However, I have no experience in air traffic control, and I’m wondering if I should prepare for this assessment—and if so, how should I go about it?

For context, I do have a master’s degree and passed the BCBA exam, which is notoriously difficult if you look up the pass rates. I’m hoping my background in managing stress and solving complex problems might help me in this transition. Any advice or tips on preparing for the assessment would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I wasn’t accepted, but allowed to take the assessment. I don’t feel like correcting the post. But, look forward to any insight.

Did my feast I & II last week Wednesday Montreal, I still didn’t get my results, is it normal? How cooked am I.

My in person assessment/interview is tomorrow. In the email it says “this opportunity is for ATC training courses” When I completed feast my email said I was successful for both ATC & FSS. So my question is this interview tomorrow not for FSS at all? Like if I fail for ATC tomorrow am I done or will I still get an opportunity for FSS? Signed a person who would rather do 100 feast tests then 1 interview 🫠

Hey everyone,

I don’t see many posts about this, but here we go. I just need to get this off my chest.

Being an air traffic controller has been my dream for so long. I grew up in a situation where chasing this dream wasn’t possible, but I never let go of my passion for aviation. I’d spend hours playing flight sims and acting as ATC, completely obsessed with everything about airplanes, airports, and being a controller.

Recently, I got the chance to go for it. I applied to NAV CANADA, and the process was no joke! online submission (July), online test (July), and in-person tests for FEAST 1 and 2 (August). As a result, I was eligible for the ATC stream (exactly what I wanted) and not FSS. After all that, finally in November, I got invited for an interview at the Toronto office for FIR Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal.

The interview day was intense but pretty relax I would say. It lasted about four hours with multiple events. I was nervous and scared, as you’d expect, but I told myself to just be real. I didn’t try to sugarcoat my answers or pretend to be someone I’m not. I just wanted to show them how much this means to me and how passionate I am about this career.

But I didn’t make it past this stage. Honestly, it’s been hard to process. For a moment, I thought this was finally it! that my dream was within reach. Now, I have to wait three years to reapply, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll still have a shot then. I’m in my mid-30s, and the thought of competing with younger candidates or wondering what life will look like in three years is terrifying.

Still, I’m determined to try again. This dream means too much to me to let it go.

I know it’s a well-rewarding job, but for me, the possibility of waking up every day excited to work as a controller is what truly matters.

If anyone here is currently working as an air traffic controller, I’d love to connect and hear about your journey. Having someone to learn from would be incredible as I prepare for the future, or even just a friend!

And to those who are still in the process, good luck! I’m rooting for you. It’s such a challenging path, but it’s worth it.

Thanks for reading!

Notes: Feel free to share yours and how you feel about it :)

Transferring next year and the wife and I are trying to decide what we want to do. We found 2 places we wouldn't mind living. One town is in the suburbs with a 25-30 minute drive to the airport. It would be community style living in town as large lots aren't common and the ones that are aren't available or affordable. There wouldn't be a lot of time spent to and from work. The other is a small town with a 45-50min drive depending on traffic. The small town would allow us to get a couple of acres and have some of the things we have been wanting - room for our kids to grow up outside, room for our dogs, some chickens and other animals, a garden, large yard to do with what we want, no super close neighbors - really just a slow and relaxing home life. My wife stays at home full time, we have two young children, and two dogs. We've lived community style and we've lived small town style - both are okay, but we prefer small town. Those that commute an hour give or take to and from work to live where you want is it worth it? I'm worried we will decide to go with the small town and the commute won't be worth the trade off. I'm not worried about wear and tear on vehicles. Soley just want opinions on commute time and the trade off for the home you want. Thanks guys

Title. Currently working for Serco, but I'm curious what you guys with more experience than me have to say about the pros and cons of Serco, RVA, and Midwest, especially if you have experience working for more than just one of these companies.

My wife has family in different parts of the country who are getting older and may need help in the future, so I'm just mentally preparing for "if I have to move", what I should expect. Thank you guys in advance!

I'm going through the process to be US atc and I just finished my medical exam. Will I hear back from them on the status of it and if so how long will that take? The doctor seemed to indicate that I passed but he also said that the regional medical examiner had to have the final say after looking at the doctor's report.

Me and my buddy are planning a day trip next Sunday to Boston to see the USS Constitution. Taking a C182 IFR from NY. Both of us are comfortable in busy airspace and have visited the Dulles and Philly bravos before.

What do you recommend is the best time to arrive in the morning? Best time to depart in the evening?

Any other info on how to make y’all’s life easier/what to expect is much appreciated.

I know there are a lot of factors that go into getting released from your first facility to transfer but how long does it usually take on average? Really trying to gauge whether I want to buy a house when I get to my first facility or rent. If I won’t be there longer than 3 years I’ll just rent but if it’s almost guaranteed to be 4 or more then I’ll probably buy.

Im on the edge of being a controller. My dream is to fly however I've found myself graduating with a degree in ATC and a AT-CTI certificate. I understand the FAA puts you where they need you but how likely is it that I would be able to transfer to another facility?

I've been told by other people that there is a list of facilities you can volunteer for so does anyone know whats actually on that list?

I have a group interview scheduled for next week.

Anything specific I should expect in terms of questions asked? Thanks.

Has anyone who passed feast this year gotten an FSS interview offer? Seems like it’s going to be 2025 but wanting to see if anyone has gotten the interview link or at least the criminal record check link. Let me know yall.

Hi everyone,

I have a stable career 110k year, I just bought a house, and my wife is terrified of moving.

1. I got rejected for ATC and approved for FSS. During my application I put 3 or 4 locations in BC lower mainland, what are my changed of getting into one of those?

2. If I end up staying in the lower mainland, what is a realistic salary range for FSS?

3. Not going to lie, I am afraid to quite my job, go to training, and get the news that I would move very far away. Does anyone know when do we know where our location would be? I read it is at the end of basics, but when is the end of basics compared to when the training starts?

4. Was there anyone is the same or similar situation as mine?

5. Does anyone know what makes you fail for ATC and pass for FSS?

Thanks a lot all.

Could someone who is knowledgeable in the FCT program and Natca send me a message. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Recently passed all assessments for a VFR ATC with Nav Canada on February 2024. I got called for the October Montreal training however it was too close and I couldn't get testing for my Medical, so they let me know to just hold off for the next round of courses. I just wanted to know if anyone had an update for future courses in 2025 or 2026. Last I spoke to them, they mentioned spring 2026 however now I'm not 100% sure that it would be worth the wait.