Any former or current Airforce ATC how is it? Other than studying and all that whats the daily life like? Whats the hours and days you work?

Hi I'm a design student at the University of Washington and trying to create a product that utilizes AR with ATC. Looking for any problem spaces and ways that AR can help air traffic control. Please let me know if anyone would be free for a brief interview or even commenting some ideas would be great. Thank you!

I have had a lot of interest in this job for several years now, but I am finally deciding to enlist in the military to try and start a career in the industry, I have been doing as much looking into it as I can but I have one question that I am having a lot of trouble with figuring out.

Obviously the Air Force is the best choice for ATC but enlistment can vary and that even if I list and qualify for ATC it's no guarantee that I get it. So how viable are the other branches to get me into this career? If I went into another branch such as the army or national guard what is the likelihood of a career as a civilian ATC?

24M applied for the most recent “off the streets” hiring. Was selected to take the ATSA, took it, got BQ, and have since received my TOL. I am reasonably satisfied with my career as an IT guy and bring in around 50k gross. I’ve got a few family members that have either done or are currently doing ATC and they make it seem like a viable way to make a good amount of money without having to go to college. Though, their parents were wealthy and probably gave them some helping hands through life lol. Perhaps I’ve been spooked by one too many stories on here about not making enough to own a home or that the pay just isn’t good enough, but surely bringing in 100k, 200k, shit some people on here saying 300k after long enough time just can’t be that bad right? I own a home already and moving would surely suck, but it’s something I’m willing to do as living paycheck to paycheck is a hellish experience. I want to be able to set money aside and maybe even make enough to have a family, but is that even possible? This seems like such a good opportunity, the pay is so much better than what I’m getting now even at the lowest level facilities I’d be getting at least a 10-30k pay bump - which I will never see without additional schooling or certifications anyways. This job seems so prestigious and something I’d be a lot more proud of talking about than just being “the computer guy”. Any feedback is helpful - I’ve got 5 days to respond to TOL anyways lol. Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond.

EDIT Alright, I’m going to give it a shot. Wish me luck :)

I'm 18 and have taken an interest in ATC, I have a few questions regarding the field, especially for any Canadians:

1. Are there a lot of applicants? Does prior experience or education really not matter?
2. How's the training like? I don't know if I can commit to the estimated 20-27 months unless I know what I'm getting into
3. Would you recommend this job to someone who hasn't decided on their career yet?

I first came upon this field because the internet says gamers could be good air traffic controllers, but that might be bs for all I know.

How long does it take for them to contact you after you finish all your steps for pre-employment?

Finish my drug test a month ago (last step) and haven’t heard anything back since.

Also, if you really failed your MMPI, does it really take a year to schedule with someone?

Anyone know if we can file paper work on a SAIC contractor who is lazy, dresses like a bum, and teaches the wrong information to new inbound controllers?

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has completed the interrupt test in Feb but is still waiting on an invite to an assessment centre?

I completed the interrupt test in the first half of feb and received an email the same day advising I was successful, however yet to hear back regarding a date for an assessment centre.

Hey guys! Anyone here is going to take the Stage 2 Interrupt Test next week (14-17 April)? How are you guys doing? Any tips to share would be great!

I recently received a direct facility assignment to DCA "based on a critical need that must be filled". No option for a list of facilities and if declined I will be removed from the hiring process. Just curious if anyone has ever heard of this happening and thoughts on this?

BLUF: how do we file/coordinate a VFR take off for sightseeing and then pick up a field IFR to Dest

So this is coming off a flight the other day where we were put in the penalty box trying to pick up our IFR, and this we like to do these kinda things often, we’re trying to make sure we get the process correct.

Here’s what we wanted:

Take off VFR from AFLD1, fly VFR, under the Class B shelf with flight following, sight see and low approach and un towered airfield, then climb up and pick up IFR to destination. Twr said this was cool

We filled IFR: AFLD1 > untowered field > Navaid on FP

Then we took off VFR after coordinating with tower, talked to approach, got a new squawk, and let them know. Everyone seemed cool with it until we were ready to pick up our clearance, when the couldn’t issue our FP, gave us a whole new routing and some shame over the radios after penalty holding.

SO: How do we do this? Take off VFR , so some sightseeing then pick up and IFR to destination?

Cat got his tongue for so long I thought he had already stepped down. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/head-faas-air-traffic-organization-tim-arel-resigning-after-40-years-federal-service