Is it ever right to be an ATCO?

[Straightandlevel80kt]

Let me re-phrase that... Is it ever right to become an ATCO because you couldn't get onto the flight deck and felt tempted by the money and the stories which say working the scopes is only a medium stress-level job rather than the hell-on-earth that is often public perception?

[Jerricho]

Point Seven, you care to comment my friend?

[AlanM]

***kin ell - I thought I was a bit pissed...............

[FireFoxDown]

Interesting one StraightAndLevel - I've been thinking that of late ... the whole " If i dont get my Class One, then what? ... ATCO? "

[niknak]

Put it into perspective.

The majority of ATC units work 2 hours on, minimum of 30 mins/often 1 hour off, you can't do that on the majority of commercial aircraft operations.

ATC is a stressful job, but the stress ends when you walk out the door after a shift, not many pilots can honestly say that.

Pilots earn more than ATCOs - yes, in the majority of cases they do, but by god they work very hard for it, report in 1 to 2 hours before take off, a working day of 8 -13 hours, and also working the type of standby duties which are very rarely found in the ATC world.

Stability of employment - airline loses contract, airline dispenses with pilots, airport loses a service - airports very rarely make atcos redundant, it's not in their interests to do so, as re recruiting atcos is a very long and expensive process.

ATCOs wishing they were on the flight deck? I don' t think so!
the few ATCOs who are also qualified pilots mostly have 2nd jobs as pilots anway, a nice little earner on the side, but I can honestly say I've never met an ATCO whos is jealous of the "glamour" of the commercial pilot.

Most of us are quite happy where we are thank you.

[forevertraining]

here here,

Well said niknak:)

[Spuds McKenzie]

Where I'm from we had quite a few cases of failed ATCOs and rated ATCOs who became airline pilots.

But we never had any failed airline pilots becoming ATCOs.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Spuds - be assured that such creatures do exist; I've worked with a number during my career both in IAL and CAA.

There are a good number of ATCOs who are also commercial pilots so they, presumably, enjoy doing both jobs.

There are certainly a significant number of ex Air Traffic Control Assistants who failed to make ATCO but are now heavy jets - several in command. There are probably a similar number of ATCAs and ATCOs who simply wanted to be pilots and have changed careers. I don't think anything can be read into these facts.

Me? I never ever wanted to be a commercial pilot. Being home every day with my wife was far, far too precious and I wouldn't have changed that for anything. I also thoroughly enjoyed the life that niknak spoke of..

[Dan Dare]

Its a question faced by many people, there being many more who leave school desiring the (perceived) glamour of the flight deck than even considering somethng as down to earth as controlling. Some become ATCOs because the airline recruitment cycle is not in their favour and I could probably name a dozen, who have left to fly when the industry picked up. It is definately an option, and it pays okay while you are waiting or training towards that airline job.

The problems are though:
1) ATC is NOT an easy option that you can just drift in to, its training is generally much longer and more intensive. In order to succeed you really have to enjoy what you are doing (OK then, at least really want to do it).
2) You could find yourself appreciating the benefits of the job and scrub the idea of flying for a living, making it a poor career "stop gap".

I can only echo the sentiments above with benefits of an ATCO career including: better hours; more time off (to fly if you want); stable(ish) roster; more chance to spend time in your own bed; slightly more social hours; less chance of your employer going bust; the list goes on, but I one shouldn't let management think we want to stay, it could harm our side at the negotiating table...

ps FireFoxDown you need a Class One medical for nearly all ATCO work. Sorry.

[Barnaby the Bear]

I love to fly, but never wanted to do it as a career. ATCO was the only side of aviation I considered. :}

[FireFoxDown]

Dan,

didn't know that, thanks for the heads-up! :ok:

[BALIX]

I'm happy to admit that somewhere in this multiverse of ours there is a Balix who became a pilot rather than an ATCO and is quite happy that he did. When I was a spotty faced oik though, it was at the time of Hamble closing and pilots having to spend a couple of years as trolly dollys as it was thought (wrongly, as it turned out) that there was a glut of pilots out there. Meanwhile, the CAA were recruiting ATCOs as if there was no tomorrow and here I am twenty years on.

However, Straightandlevel80t is being deliberately mischeivous in suggesting that all ATCOs are frustrated pilots. Back then we were given flight training to PPL standard but only a few kept their licences current in the subsequent years. One or two used it as a stepping stone to a commercial piloting career but many more never flew again.

[Eggs Petition]

Spuds,
Think again... don't you have one chap who was trained by Swissair but got the chop (for political reasons, some disagreement with the wrong person)?! Here's a clue, he's ex area too. ;)


As for the ATCO/Pilot choice, I guess if you really love flying then that is what you want to do. The problem-solving and performance side of ATC has it's own appeal, whether or not you are an aviation fanatic (and not all of us are!).

[Spuds McKenzie]

Eggs Petition,

I know who you mean, but he DID rate as an airline pilot, therefore DID NOT fail.
He didn't get employed by SWR for the reasons you've mentioned, but that's another loooong story.

BTW check your PMs.

[Kestrel_909]

niknak has really summed everything I've been thinking about over each career path. For a long time I was set on becoming a pilot, but thanks to many honest pilots, many on here and many in some of the best positions, and have gradually made me see the truth behind it all.

Saying piloting and controlling was a 50/50 split would be lieing, it was more 60/40 and piloting in the favour but the tables have turned, and after some hard thinking and questioning, I think controller is first option in my mind, but by no means because I see it as an easier way into the industry.

I doubt many controllers sit envying the guys at the other end of the mike, and whether vice versa.

I agree with spud, I know of failed ATCOs who are now airline pilots, but not the other way around.

[Airist]

I'm a pilot wannabe (got the licences, not the job) who is fascinated by what ATCOs do. And I know I simply couldn't do it. Don't have that kind of mind or temperament. If it were just a matter of choice, though....