Jobs in the USA?

[Number Last]

Any truth to the rumour that the American Senate approved opening up ATC to non US controllers late last year?

[Jerricho]

Where did you glean this little nugget from?

[Brian81]

Only today I thought about emailing the relevant people in the USA to ask what it takes to be a controller over there, coming from the UK.

The deepest thoughts about it (in 20 seconds of brain power) were;

Which airport would I like to work at?

Would the procedures and phraseolgy be that much different (e.g. "clear to land")

Where would I live

Cost of living

VISA, how to get one and if its permanent?

Whether I'd get on with people

Would I live the lifestyle?

Would the pay be good, taking into account the extra costs of living over there (health insurance et al)

*ok, so it may have been a little more than 20 seconds but I'm very interested to see where this thread goes.

One nudge & I'm there! :cool:

*& for any USA HR people, Im ADI (tower instrument) and APP (approach procedural) rated with a met obs certifcate, GSOH & completely lovely & available for start immediately. lol

*& that offer goes to the UK units too. lol ;-)

Bri.

Traaaaaaa.

[Hold West]

No truth to the rumor, you must be a US Citizen.

[rogervisual]

In the FAA Human resource policy manual(HRPM) under citizenship requirements EMP-1.13 it states (or it did if it is still in force)

"intial appointments to positions in the FAA made after April 30, 1998 will be restricted to USA citizens and nationals(residents of American Samoa and Guam) unless, as determined by the selecting official , there are insufficient number of well qualified applicants;or, for a brief period, in an emergency"

I looked into it several years ago and spoke to several managers in a certain region. As much as they wanted to take people on from outside the US , they all said it would open the flood gates. Plus there has always been a constant flow of ex-mil guys who fill the contract towers and then move on to the FAA.

[Brian81]

I'll stop thinking then... *sobs*

[Scooby Don't]

Despite the cost of health insurance (almost certainly covered in full for FAA employees and their families), I'm amused by Brian81's mention of "extra cost of living" (sorry Bri!).

Houses? Way cheaper than UK, especially now with the market crashing.
Cars? Even the new Jag XF, made in the UK, costs substantially less in the US. The Opel/Vauxhall Astra is now sold as a Saturn in the US, at about 2/3 of the British price.
Groceries? About the same.
Taxes? Lower in the US.
Petrol/gas? A whole $3+ a gallon - and Americans find that extortionate! Admittedly, the US gallon is smaller (3.8 litres, Imperial gallon is 4.546 litres), but it's still about 1/3 of the cost in the UK!
Holidays? Great if you like Mexico or Florida for sun, Colorado for skiing!

Things that would hurt? Few decent pubs, greater risk of being a murder victim (though other violent crimes are probably more prevalent in the UK), less leave, dreadful currency if you want to take holidays overseas, Fox "News".

Not that any of the above matters anyway since they're unlikely to open to floodgates to foreigners. I'd be willing to bet that if they did, they would get far more CVs than the Australians could ever dream of!

[Brian81]

Thanks for the response Scooby,

Like I said, it was only a few seconds thought, but you seemed to have done loads of research. I'm intrigued by your words about Australia.

I dont know where I think I've been the last few months/years but I may just have well have been under a rock it seems.

I'm looking seriously at leaving the (Y)UK. I'm getting sick of health & safety gone mad, political correcness gone mad, taxes & charges gone mad and the weather.

I saw the advert for Dubai recently but for one reason or another missed the application boat.

Would you (or anyone else) offer any advice on leaving the UK? Any information on countries / companies hiring? the costs involved, quality of life and comparrison to the UK?

Traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. :cool:

[macker]

Brian81

You would be most welcome in Ireland

IAA will be recruiting direct entry controllers this year.

Admittedly the weather is not as sunny as Mexico or Florida but you can take a dip without being ripped apart by sharks (apart from Michael O Leary)

Petrol is a lot cheaper this side of Irish Sea plus loads of decent pubs.

You can get through customs without getting banged up for 4 years for eating a bread roll or stepping on something dodgy (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=314675)

And the only thing gone mad over here recently is overtime. Although the IAA is sorting that out ( :E ) hence the demand for controllers.

Jobs in the USA? Why would you bother?

In fact I predict the IAA will be hearing from controllers in places like Hartsfield and O Hare - they'll want to prove themselves with a bit of real controlling - there's none of that fancy parallel runway nonsense over here. :}

Rgds

macker

[Scooby Don't]

Check your PMs, Brian81.

[ISaidRightTurns]

Having looked into other countries ATCO schedule/life style, I don't think many of you would enjoy it. Here's my typical schedule:

Mon - 1600-0000(lcl)
Tue - 1400-2200
Wed - 1200-2000
Thu - 0530-1330
Fri - 2200 (thurs) - 0600 (fri)

We often work with the minimum of 8 hours between shifts, work 6 hours on position a day, and non-voluntary overtime is common. 'Hold-over' overtime is not voluntary and happens at least once a week (an extra 2 hours at the end of your shift). Our days off do not rotate, we pick 2 weeks of leave a year, the rest is 'spot' leave. Most of us require doctor's notes to call in sick, you're word isn't good enough.

Go to the sandbox.

BTW, my Mon-Fri is actually Fri-Tues. Working every Friday and Saturday night is not a great way to keep the wife happy.

Not whining, I am well paid, but it seems others have it better.

[AirNoServicesAustralia]

Ok Isaidrightturns,

That roster you mention looks horrible. How much total leave do you get per year?? I think the roster we work here in the sand pit is a bit better.

The ATCO roster here is Mon - 6.30am - 2.30pm
Tue - 6.30am - 2.30pm
Wed - 2.30pm - 10.30pm
Thur- 2.30pm - 10.30pm
Fri - 10.30pm - 6.30am
Sat - 10.30pm - 6.30am (Sunday morning finish)
Sunday Sleep day having finished at 6.30am
Monday off
Tuesday off
Wednesday off
Thursday start cycle again

No quick turnarounds mean that health wise you feel a lot better than I did working quick turnarounds in Australia.

[GetTheFlick]

Scooby,

You forgot to mention the joys of living in Bush World. :)

The grass is always greener on the other side. We had friends come over from the UK and they were keen (as they would say) to go to the Okefenokee swamp. In August. Mad dogs and Englishmen. It's typically 90+ degrees with the humidity at 90% -- not to mention the snakes, gators and skeeters. It's like Hell on Earth.

They had a grand time. Stayed up half the night watching a thunderstorm.

[ISaidRightTurns]

ANSA-
On average we are given 19 days a year. We are guarenteed to pick 10 (2 weeks). The rest is dependent on staffing, I was lucky and able to pick 2 full weeks and 2 partial weeks this year, for a total of 16 working days off.

It is different for us then ya'll as out days off are our days off no matter what, so no picking around that.

For these reasons and many more, I will see you in October.

[Hold West]

The roster that Isaidrightturns posted is just about FAA standard. Except that since last September, I was working roughly:

Mon: 1500-2300
Tue: 1100-2100 (yes ten hours)
Wed: 1100-2100
Thu: 0600-1400
Fri: 2230 (Thu)-0630(Fri)
Sat: 0900-1700
Sun: Finally a day off


Which is why I retired last Friday and started Monday as a dispatch supervisor at a small airline - put in 4 ten hour days (and I mean DAYS) this week and now enjoying the first of 3 days off...:)