Should I shun the FAA?

[iawilson13]

Hello all,
I am an ATC-CTI student at a school in Pennsylvainia. In my time at school, I have heard that working overseas, instead of for the FAA, would provide me with a better career. I've been told that it pays much better (specifically in the UAE), controllers are treated well, there are housing subsidies, etc. Can anyone who works/has worked for an international company, the FAA, or both, provide me with any insight?

Who should I look to for overseas employment?
Do these companies offer pensions/retirement plans?
Is the pay really that much better than in the US?
Do I need substantial/basic experience to be considered?
Can I return to the FAA with experience (if I am over 31)? or-
Should I spend some time in the FAA then go overseas?

Any advice anyone has to offer would be invaluable. Thanks to all of you in advance, I'm really looking forward to my career as a Terminal Controller.

-Ian

[Geffen]

I am pretty sure the middle east guys require experience first.

[YankATC]

Get your experience first then go overseas. I don't think they will take you without it anyway. I retired fromt eh FAA 6 weeks ago after 27 years and now and an ATC in Australia (start tomorrow).

[cons]

To answer your questions:

1 - contact the contract companies directly (via their websites or through email) I believe SERCO is one of the contract companies in the ME
2 - yes they offer pensions and retirement plans (search the forum and you will find a wealth of info in that regard)
3 - there is pay disparity, however, you need to take EVERYTHING into account (again, there is info on the forum about this if you search)
4 - yes you need experience (its either 3 years or 5 years experience, not really sure)
5 - i'm not sure that you can return to the faa after you quit past the age of 31 (if you return before 31 and are hired, you start from the bottom, meaning you lose your seniority and are a trainee again)
6 - i think this would be a wise move (you'll gain some experience and see if you like it as an ATCer in the states)


Now, here are some thoughts and suggestions...

when making this kind of a decision (what country do i want to work in?), it's important to take a step back and look at the big picture. meaning don't just focus on pay. focus on quality of life. right now, based on your age, i assume you're single. however, if/when you get married and have kids, your spouse/kids may not want the life of an expat.

i'm not sure if you know anything about the new contract that was negotiated between the faa and the union. if you don't, i suggest you read it over. the new pay system favors the new controllers coming in.

whats a terminal controller?

[BDATCF1]

Hey Yank,
I read your post and wanted to ask you a couple of questions about getting an atc job in Australia. I became eligible to retire two weeks ago and have been considering an overseas gig. What is the basic process for getting on with Australia Airservices? Were you terminal or enroute in the FAA? I have 25 years at Denver Center and am ready for a new challenge.

Appreciate any info you can share.

[Vector361]

iawilson13

I'm not an expert on any of your questions and retired from FAA for nearly 2 years. Check out the "new" contract. Rumor is there are pay improvements. The labor/management pendulum is swinging back toward labor. Management will never be able to do what they did when they implemented the "non-tract" without mediation/arbitration. (The law was changed because they did!!!)

My advise to you is:

1) Get picked up by the FAA and fully certify. I believe once you certify, then leave, you should be able to get back in the FAA after you are 31.
2) All the non-US jobs I've found request at least 3 years experience.
3) Consider not just pay & benefits, but how expensive it is to work overseas and quality of life for someone your age.
4) All things - pay/benefits/housing allowance/pension etc. are changing quite rapidly.
5) Consider the centers, if offered. The money always is with the busier radar facilities. Many of the overseas high pay jobs seem to be center(or "area") controllers.

If I was your age again & a US citizen, I'd go to the FAA first (and probably your only option), and after I certify, start reassesing my situation and go from there. The higher paying jobs (for those of us from the US) are in the Middle East - UAE, Bahrain, but they want experience. Traffic is still growing there.

Good luck

[Vector361]

Check around!!!

I just spoke to a friend still with FAA. The FAA & NATCA have gone back to the old contract (pre- Sept 2006) as for working conditions. Pay much improved for new hires. Cycle moving back to a better work balance. I'd suggest if you can get in, do it because I expect that many controllers that were going to retire will stay for the extra 3-4% + COLA for the next 3 years. This will increase their retirement significantly when they finally do leave.

No matter where you work, you will have to learn to deal with these types of cycles & politics.