Best and worst
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Best and worst
Hi guys,
As someone deciding to leave a well-paid job with good prospects to start a career in ATC, I would like to ask you good people what is/are the best and worst thing(s) about being an ATCO. I think I will go for it as I don't want to be sat in an office in 10 years time thinking "I wish I had taken the chance", but in the apparent current climate of it being harder than ever to get through successfully, I have to think long and hard and would just like a better idea of the positive and negative aspects of the life of an ATCO.
Many thanks for any replies.
As someone deciding to leave a well-paid job with good prospects to start a career in ATC, I would like to ask you good people what is/are the best and worst thing(s) about being an ATCO. I think I will go for it as I don't want to be sat in an office in 10 years time thinking "I wish I had taken the chance", but in the apparent current climate of it being harder than ever to get through successfully, I have to think long and hard and would just like a better idea of the positive and negative aspects of the life of an ATCO.
Many thanks for any replies.
Ohcirrej
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Worst - Shift work can certainly take a little getting used to, especially when you're on your 3rd night shift in a row (like I am right now)
Best - How long have you got
Best - How long have you got
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That cause you wouldn't know if yer asses were on fire Gonze
So you must have heard about our last curry then!
niknak
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Shift work can bugger up your social life, but I infinately prefer it to the 9 - 5 regime. Having time off mid week allows you your own time to do what you want, and as much as I love my family, that's a big bonus to me.
As for the rest....
Good pay, on our rosta for every 6 days leave you take you actually get 12 days off, it's a job I really enjoy and you can't take the work home with you.
As for the rest....
Good pay, on our rosta for every 6 days leave you take you actually get 12 days off, it's a job I really enjoy and you can't take the work home with you.
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Thanks niknak,
It's interesting that people mention shift work presents difficuties, but that many prefer it to 9-5. Any other positives and negatives out there for me to be aware of?
It's interesting that people mention shift work presents difficuties, but that many prefer it to 9-5. Any other positives and negatives out there for me to be aware of?
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I much prefer shift work although it can have a major impact on your life if it revolves around non shift working people.
Everyday is different, you are challenged constantly, unless you choose to take it on there is never a pile of paperwork to deal with so when you unplug that is it your job is done for the day.
Coming away from work knowing it is a job well done, we take great pride in what we do.
Although there will be some out there most of us wouldn't want to do anything else. It is a challenging job which can and will take it out of you but I would say go for it.
Everyday is different, you are challenged constantly, unless you choose to take it on there is never a pile of paperwork to deal with so when you unplug that is it your job is done for the day.
Coming away from work knowing it is a job well done, we take great pride in what we do.
Although there will be some out there most of us wouldn't want to do anything else. It is a challenging job which can and will take it out of you but I would say go for it.
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POSITIVE
+ never one day is the same
+ teamwork
+ aviation
+ pay
+ leave
+ shift work (see below)
+ promotion
+ if you failed as a pilot...
NEGATIVE
- lack of respect and understanding from management
- shift work (see above)
- stress (if you can't handle it)
- if you're a pilot but can't get another job...
+ never one day is the same
+ teamwork
+ aviation
+ pay
+ leave
+ shift work (see below)
+ promotion
+ if you failed as a pilot...
NEGATIVE
- lack of respect and understanding from management
- shift work (see above)
- stress (if you can't handle it)
- if you're a pilot but can't get another job...
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In response to the above....
Lack of respect and poor management aren't symptomatic of ATC, one finds that in any industry.
I'm trying to work out why 'if you failed as a pilot' is a positive aspect of ATC.
There is no stress inherent in ATC.
Pressure, yes, of course. The crux of the matter is in how one deals with that pressure. I know that if I worked somewhere more quiet and with less pressure, I'd be bored. As soon as one fails to handle the pressure, and it becomes stress, I'd venture it's time to hang up one's headset and get a nice desk in Ops......
Lack of respect and poor management aren't symptomatic of ATC, one finds that in any industry.
I'm trying to work out why 'if you failed as a pilot' is a positive aspect of ATC.
There is no stress inherent in ATC.
Pressure, yes, of course. The crux of the matter is in how one deals with that pressure. I know that if I worked somewhere more quiet and with less pressure, I'd be bored. As soon as one fails to handle the pressure, and it becomes stress, I'd venture it's time to hang up one's headset and get a nice desk in Ops......
The Original Party Animal
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I'm trying to work out why 'if you failed as a pilot' is a positive aspect of ATC.
Plus: At least where I'm working there is no known case of a failed pilot having become an ATCO, but several cases of failed ATCOs being pilots now...
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Thanks for your helpful replies. Also well done on having got jobs that despite some inevitable downsides are enjoyable, fulfilling, interesting and well-paid. I hope in 3-5 years' time I can say the same.
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Failed Pilot bit confuses me as well.
Never wanted to be a pilot and I don't work with any colleagues who are in it as they failed as pilots. Do know plenty of people within ATC who hold pilots licences.
Never wanted to be a pilot and I don't work with any colleagues who are in it as they failed as pilots. Do know plenty of people within ATC who hold pilots licences.
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Probably worth adding that with ATC, once you unplug that headset, put it in your locker, and head out of the door to come home at the end of your shift, you dont take the job with you. 
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I'll go with almost all of the plusses. For me, it was a "no-brainer" at age 17, post A level and aircraft-mad since very small. Can't think of another job I'd rather do.
Shift work has to be better than 9-5 if you value time-off with the family: I tried the office routine for 6 years and am only too pleased to be back on shifts now. Practical, day-to-day ATC still gives me a buzz, after 33 years. It's a profession of which we, as "do-ers" at the sharp-end, should all be very proud too.
Down-side? For me, taking home any nagging doubts about my abilities as I get older and things I could/should have done better that day/week/month etc. And feeling like c**p at 4am on almost every night shift, knowing there's still another three hours left until I go home...
Shift work has to be better than 9-5 if you value time-off with the family: I tried the office routine for 6 years and am only too pleased to be back on shifts now. Practical, day-to-day ATC still gives me a buzz, after 33 years. It's a profession of which we, as "do-ers" at the sharp-end, should all be very proud too.
Down-side? For me, taking home any nagging doubts about my abilities as I get older and things I could/should have done better that day/week/month etc. And feeling like c**p at 4am on almost every night shift, knowing there's still another three hours left until I go home...