Shortage of controllers?
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Shortage of controllers?
Is there a genuine shortage of controllers both domestically and globally? With one eye looking to convert my military experience to a civilian licence, I get conflicting views as to whether there really is a job out there. Before you ask, yes, I have tried NATS but without success.
Can anyone clear or muddy the waters further? Has the economic down turn kicked in?
Thanks in advance for any info that you might be able to give.
Can anyone clear or muddy the waters further? Has the economic down turn kicked in?
Thanks in advance for any info that you might be able to give.
StandupfortheUlstermen
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The non-NATS world will always need ATCOs, particularly as NATS trains less ADC/APP people thus reducing the supply somewhat. Admittedly last year Filton closed and seven jobs (or thereabouts) were filled as those guys moved elsewhere but that was a one off. I'd go for it if I was you, you'll find a job, you just may have to be prepared to move but as a mil ATCO that won't be too much of a change presumably.
If you are thinking of Resource at Cwmbran for the civvy courses, have a chat with them as to your chances and if they know where the most likely places are needing staff in the next couple of years.
Good luck with it.
If you are thinking of Resource at Cwmbran for the civvy courses, have a chat with them as to your chances and if they know where the most likely places are needing staff in the next couple of years.
Good luck with it.
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Sparkyt,
Nats aren't taking previous employees at the station that was constantly desperate,and one of the only airports showing growth.
HIAL seem to be looking for people for the Isles,but that is ADI and APP ratings required,no removal costs and a life style choice.
I would say that there aren't jobs out there at the moment.One reason could be the number of ex mil people who have preceded you.Also the economic situation,and Air passenger duty/tax.
If you asked units you would find they are short of validations,but on paper are fully staffed.Perhaps the Birmingham contract situation might cause a little musical chairs,but I have my doubts it will last.
IMHO
Nats aren't taking previous employees at the station that was constantly desperate,and one of the only airports showing growth.
HIAL seem to be looking for people for the Isles,but that is ADI and APP ratings required,no removal costs and a life style choice.
I would say that there aren't jobs out there at the moment.One reason could be the number of ex mil people who have preceded you.Also the economic situation,and Air passenger duty/tax.
If you asked units you would find they are short of validations,but on paper are fully staffed.Perhaps the Birmingham contract situation might cause a little musical chairs,but I have my doubts it will last.
IMHO
Last edited by throw a dyce; 5th Jun 2013 at 07:50.
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We're also extremely shortstaffed on the other side of the Atlantic. Here at the NY Tracon we have a high number of controllers already eligible for retirement, and many of those are reaching the mandatory retirement age. Incoming recruitments can't keep up with the losses, and it'll probably continue to be that way for the next few years.
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Here's a link with last year's pay scale.
2010 - 2012 ATC Payscale - Air Traffic Control - ATC - Aviation
The New York Tracon is a level 12 facility, so newly checked out CPC's get $103,669 base pay. Notice that locality pay is excluded. The locality pay here is currently 28.72%. Most of us that have been here a while are at the federal salary cap (your combined base salary+ locality pay can't exceed $179,700). However you can exceed the cap with overtime, and premium pay (10% night differential, 25% Sunday pay, 10% cic pay, 10% ojti pay, double pay for holidays, etc). Since we're so short, we're working mandatory 6 days a week, so overtime is at an all time high. There's quite a few of us veteran cpc controllers here grossing around $240,000 to $250,000 a year in total combined pay, but even the more junior guys that are freshly checked out are over $150,000 when you add all the extras.
As for opening the job to foreigners...I would not have a problem with it, since we really could use the help, but that's not my call to make.
2010 - 2012 ATC Payscale - Air Traffic Control - ATC - Aviation
The New York Tracon is a level 12 facility, so newly checked out CPC's get $103,669 base pay. Notice that locality pay is excluded. The locality pay here is currently 28.72%. Most of us that have been here a while are at the federal salary cap (your combined base salary+ locality pay can't exceed $179,700). However you can exceed the cap with overtime, and premium pay (10% night differential, 25% Sunday pay, 10% cic pay, 10% ojti pay, double pay for holidays, etc). Since we're so short, we're working mandatory 6 days a week, so overtime is at an all time high. There's quite a few of us veteran cpc controllers here grossing around $240,000 to $250,000 a year in total combined pay, but even the more junior guys that are freshly checked out are over $150,000 when you add all the extras.
As for opening the job to foreigners...I would not have a problem with it, since we really could use the help, but that's not my call to make.
Last edited by N90-EWR; 6th Jun 2013 at 06:24.
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Is there a genuine shortage of controllers both domestically and globally?
No,
there is not a genuine shortage of controllers in Europe because of Single European Sky. All of you and others thinking about becoming an ATC...all of you are wasting your time and money.
No,
there is not a genuine shortage of controllers in Europe because of Single European Sky. All of you and others thinking about becoming an ATC...all of you are wasting your time and money.
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@ N90-EWR: Thanks for the info but your post just reminded me of how things turned out here (Spain). We had a severe staff shortage so our ANSP offered us to make extra time at very generous conditions.
After a few years of that the extra time became mandatory and part of the regular working hours while we were suddenly evil sociopaths robbing from the poor.
I know you guys can't go on strike (neither can we... well, oficially we can but the last time there was a general strike in Spain our dearest government imposed minimum services of 110%
) but if overtime is voluntary I'd be careful with it.
Oh, and we also have as a normal rotation the dreaded 6+2 (usually 2 mornings, 2 afternoons, 2 nights and then the 2 free days... and no, no additional sleeping day).
Look out on that path, c ya in hell
After a few years of that the extra time became mandatory and part of the regular working hours while we were suddenly evil sociopaths robbing from the poor.
I know you guys can't go on strike (neither can we... well, oficially we can but the last time there was a general strike in Spain our dearest government imposed minimum services of 110%
) but if overtime is voluntary I'd be careful with it.Oh, and we also have as a normal rotation the dreaded 6+2 (usually 2 mornings, 2 afternoons, 2 nights and then the 2 free days... and no, no additional sleeping day).
Look out on that path, c ya in hell
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We've been working "mandatory" overtime for a long time now, so its nothing new. Very rarely do I get 2 days off in a row outside of approved leave time.
I agree its not very healthy long term, but its not like we have much of a choice. I rather they hire enough people to cover shifts without having to use overtime, even if it means taking the paycut.
I agree its not very healthy long term, but its not like we have much of a choice. I rather they hire enough people to cover shifts without having to use overtime, even if it means taking the paycut.
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Ill come and work with you.
Except I can't, because despite my country doing dirty work for the US in various war zones over the past decade and despite enjoying a 'special' relationship (special in the sense it's massively one sided) apparently we aren't to be trusted.
All that despite most of your terrorists are home grown anyway.
Except I can't, because despite my country doing dirty work for the US in various war zones over the past decade and despite enjoying a 'special' relationship (special in the sense it's massively one sided) apparently we aren't to be trusted.
All that despite most of your terrorists are home grown anyway.
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Like I said before...I have no problem at all with hiring qualified overseas talent, but that decision is out of my hands.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that to get an ATC job in Eurocontrol you have to be a national of one of the member countries, which means Americans are excluded as well, so that goes both ways I guess.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that to get an ATC job in Eurocontrol you have to be a national of one of the member countries, which means Americans are excluded as well, so that goes both ways I guess.
