I’m always surprised no one talks about the top of funnel for ATC controllers. As a pilot, ham radio operator, and operations enthusiast I considered it as a career change at 35 but it’s an impossible field to switch into.
In particular:
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be age 30 or under on the closing date of the application period (with limited exceptions)
Must have either three years of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of both
Must relocate to Oklahoma City + a rural airport for multiple years.
Salary is $135k/yr
I suspect a lot of others get weeded out during the Hogan test (mmpi2) and no-history-of-ADHD-or-depression requirements. The extensive relocation periods don’t bother me but one would have had to come straight out of school with the mission of doing ATC to even qualify.
Coming from startup land, it’s so clear the lack of available and qualified controllers is directly down line of this thorny problem. It’s the inverse corollary to growth fixes all problems.
In particular:
I suspect a lot of others get weeded out during the Hogan test (mmpi2) and no-history-of-ADHD-or-depression requirements. The extensive relocation periods don’t bother me but one would have had to come straight out of school with the mission of doing ATC to even qualify.This hiring thread is worth a read: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1c1wmt2/i_am_an_air_t...
Coming from startup land, it’s so clear the lack of available and qualified controllers is directly down line of this thorny problem. It’s the inverse corollary to growth fixes all problems.