ATCO turns pilot...
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Asia
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ATCO turns pilot...
Just wanna check any ATCO here have a mid career switch to being a pilot?
Have been a ATCO for 10 years and kinda tired... what are the chances that airlines will accept and train u?
Need some sound advice... thanks.
Have been a ATCO for 10 years and kinda tired... what are the chances that airlines will accept and train u?
Need some sound advice... thanks.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: B.C., Canada
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Hi,
I actually started out as a pilot and then got into ATC since it was so hard to find a job.
I've been in ATC now for a little over three years and I'm getting the itch to go back to flying. Unfortunately, 'age' has alot to do with the decision you make.
I'm 29 and I think I may be too late to switch esp since I don't even have 300 hours flying (just a CPL/IR and a frozen ATPL).
The other thing to consider is, at least in my case, I don't think I can earn anywhere near as much as I am making right now from flying. I'd also have to reach an agreement with the wife on a career change (You might not have that obstacle) which can cause financial instability, to say the least.
One thing that's making my decision a little easier is that I am a dual citizen and the country I was born in, the main carrier there is running a cadetship program where I am guaranteed a right seat on an airbus if I pass the flight training which I've already done. Ofcourse I'd be signing a 12 year contract and the pay isn't that great.
But that's what we do for the love of flying, right? Hmm...try convincing my wife that.
Anyway, its a tough decision whatever your circumstances are. Think it through carefully and remember that job security is better with ATC imho, but the joy of a flying career can be amazing.
Good luck with any choice you make.
I actually started out as a pilot and then got into ATC since it was so hard to find a job.
I've been in ATC now for a little over three years and I'm getting the itch to go back to flying. Unfortunately, 'age' has alot to do with the decision you make.
I'm 29 and I think I may be too late to switch esp since I don't even have 300 hours flying (just a CPL/IR and a frozen ATPL).
The other thing to consider is, at least in my case, I don't think I can earn anywhere near as much as I am making right now from flying. I'd also have to reach an agreement with the wife on a career change (You might not have that obstacle) which can cause financial instability, to say the least.
One thing that's making my decision a little easier is that I am a dual citizen and the country I was born in, the main carrier there is running a cadetship program where I am guaranteed a right seat on an airbus if I pass the flight training which I've already done. Ofcourse I'd be signing a 12 year contract and the pay isn't that great.
But that's what we do for the love of flying, right? Hmm...try convincing my wife that.
Anyway, its a tough decision whatever your circumstances are. Think it through carefully and remember that job security is better with ATC imho, but the joy of a flying career can be amazing.
Good luck with any choice you make.
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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That's what I thought... chances kinda slim too. I'm almost mid 30s... doubt any airline will take me in even with the atc experience I have.
Somehow after sometime if the job don't get to u, the people around will. Need a change badly.
Financially I'm ok, should be able to go on a shoe string budget for at least 2 years (some saving), wife not a factor as we are very much independent in terms of lifestyle. Well, some routine would be nice but I'm never the 1 to reject something interesting.
Guess I would just have to go back to vectoring and stuff...
Appreciate your reply and advice, thanks.
Somehow after sometime if the job don't get to u, the people around will. Need a change badly.
Financially I'm ok, should be able to go on a shoe string budget for at least 2 years (some saving), wife not a factor as we are very much independent in terms of lifestyle. Well, some routine would be nice but I'm never the 1 to reject something interesting.
Guess I would just have to go back to vectoring and stuff...
Appreciate your reply and advice, thanks.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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I am 25, also an ATC and would love to be a pilot!
The pay in my country for ATC is not as good as that in other countries hence I am struggling busy paying for my PPL - dont know how i will afford CPL - ATP!!!
I do realise we get comfy as ATC and start earning a decent salary and to switch isnt easy - but the bottom line is do what your heart tells u to do.
I LOVE ATC - so I am very lucky that I have a job I enjoy, but it will always be my number 2 job, number 1 i would want to be a pilot, so I am still striving to do that.
I am also in a contract with my company so I couldnt leave even if I wanted to at this stage, but what I will try and do is get my CPL ATP part time when and where I can (dont know where the money is going to come from) and then hopefully by the time my contract is up, will be able to go and fly (but then with no flying experience, there is no job - catch 22 as always).
So maybe go to a country that does pay extremely well as ATC for a few years, then do the full pilot course and hopefully see from there... Qatar has cadet program once u have CPL IF and ATP but of course you need to be below 29 yrs of age so there is always the age factor that creeps into it.
I dont know, take it one day at a time and see where life takes you...
Do you think an airline or charter co or anyone will take preference over someone who has been an ATC rather than someone with the same pilot qualification but no ATC experience... my answer IMHO is YES. So I think ATC has to count for something.
The pay in my country for ATC is not as good as that in other countries hence I am struggling busy paying for my PPL - dont know how i will afford CPL - ATP!!!
I do realise we get comfy as ATC and start earning a decent salary and to switch isnt easy - but the bottom line is do what your heart tells u to do.
I LOVE ATC - so I am very lucky that I have a job I enjoy, but it will always be my number 2 job, number 1 i would want to be a pilot, so I am still striving to do that.
I am also in a contract with my company so I couldnt leave even if I wanted to at this stage, but what I will try and do is get my CPL ATP part time when and where I can (dont know where the money is going to come from) and then hopefully by the time my contract is up, will be able to go and fly (but then with no flying experience, there is no job - catch 22 as always).
So maybe go to a country that does pay extremely well as ATC for a few years, then do the full pilot course and hopefully see from there... Qatar has cadet program once u have CPL IF and ATP but of course you need to be below 29 yrs of age so there is always the age factor that creeps into it.
I dont know, take it one day at a time and see where life takes you...
Do you think an airline or charter co or anyone will take preference over someone who has been an ATC rather than someone with the same pilot qualification but no ATC experience... my answer IMHO is YES. So I think ATC has to count for something.
Over the years I've known about a dozen ATCOs go for full time commercial flying and they never looked back (one or two comment an the long hours they now endure). I have also known some, myself included, who gained commercial pilot qualifications and found themselves unable to leave the comfort/security/lifestyle etc of ATC. There are also some, who do both ATC for a day job and commercial flying on some days off. I've seen controllers flying around in HS125, Learjet, ATR, King Air, Islander etc with no intention of leaving the day job.
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I switched from military ATCO to civilian pilot about 5 years a go, flying is definitely a much more satisfying endeavour, but the job market is very tough if you are trying to get back to an equivalent pay scale. That said i would never go back and I am confident that I will make good in the end!
