FAA Air Traffic Controllers competitive for UPT military slots?
Posted by PrezzGG@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Always wanted to be a pilot, air traffic controller, and run my own business whatever it may be. I figured I could be an air traffic controller and fly recreationally. I have been thinking to try for a national guard slot, but don’t know if being an air traffic controller will actually help much in terms of being competitive in the bidding process.
Wasn’t the best student as I was working and helping my parents who were going through serious medical issues while I was attending college. I just focused on what was interesting to me getting multiple associates degrees. Probably have a 2.6 gpa with some engineering/physics classes and higher level math classes that tanked my grades.
I’m planning on building some flight hours and get my ppl as I’ve read that matters somewhat, the closer to 200 you can get the better. I won’t be able to start until I get to my facility in a couple months, but have taken ground and instrument classes just need to follow through with written tests and work with a CFI.
I just turned 29 and going to try and finish my bachelors with WGU to be able to make an attempt at a unit before I age out. Any advice would be appreciated or realistic advice about pushing towards this.
EliteEthos@reddit
Apples and oranges.
You’re as competitive as anyone else.
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Do you know if they look at degree specific grades? If it’s narrowed down is as high as 3.6, classes were low due to hardship at some points. Some of the harder classes I took the pass rate was <25%
EliteEthos@reddit
Nobody really cares about your reasons. They want to see perseverance… not excuses.
I’m not trying to be harsh here but you chose the degree path. It doesn’t really matter how other people did. If others did better, why didn’t you?
A lot of money would be invested in you. They need to rely on you. Trust you.
Maybe you’re a good dude. But how can they trust that you’re going to make it through an academic intensive course with grades like that?
Former_Farm_3618@reddit
Also want to add, since you’re just starting at the FAA you need to focus on that. Between trying to certify, finish an online degree (even the ones you’re basically guaranteed as long as you pay the tuition), AND do private flight training you’re setting yourself up for failure..
Are you at the academy and passed the evals yet?
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Definitely, have given the academy 100% just planning ahead in the time I have to myself. I thought WGU is a competency based college from my understanding not a degree farm.. am I mistaken? (Not attending this until I feel confident at my placed facility)
Doing private pilot flight training is done already. Just the actual flying portion is all that is needed and written test. Think this would help with being a controller as well by understanding what some pilots might be experiencing that I’m talking with from the tower as I will be at a lower level tower.
I’ve worked 50-60 weeks doing 9-15hr college credits in the past while taking care of family trust me I know not to overload myself.
Former_Farm_3618@reddit
Curious what you mean by flight training is done just the flying portion is all that’s needed? Are you saying ground school is done and you have zero flight hours?
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Affirmative, knew I wanted to be a pilot and did a CTI program that incorporated ground, instrument, weather, etc. just didn’t think nickel and dimeing hours while I had to help family wouldn’t really be smart. Better to get through flight training in a consistent flow once I get into atc than spaced out inconsistently.
Former_Farm_3618@reddit
I know fellow controllers that take a few weeks of (non pilot) military leave every so often. But how would getting a pilot slot work for the FAA? I can’t imagine that’s a 2-3 month process. I’d imagine it would be at least a year of full time flight training wherever they do that.
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Not sure, I’m aware of some guard pilots who are air traffic controllers though. Just not personally they would probably be a wealth of info on this.
Former_Farm_3618@reddit
lol, removed. Of course right after I asked questions..
Curious why.
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Hmm?
KCPilot17@reddit
Pretty irrelevant. For the most part previous jobs don't matter.
Your GPA is going to crush you. How far away from a degree are you? You need to be applying now based on your age, but you have a long way to go.
PrezzGG@reddit (OP)
Yeah I figured atc has shared knowledge, but doesn’t translate to being in the pilot seat, experience behind the stick is what really matters in the bids.
I’m about a year and a half out from bachelor’s degree, could be a little quicker but think I will need to apply for a waiver though I don’t think they give them out to people who are non prior military so I might just be sol if I can’t make it in time.
Is milrecuiter the way to go or is bogidope the best way to apply from the civilian side?
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Always wanted to be a pilot, air traffic controller, and run my own business whatever it may be. I figured I could be an air traffic controller and fly recreationally. I have been thinking to try for a national guard slot, but don’t know if being an air traffic controller will actually help much in terms of being competitive in the bidding process.
Wasn’t the best student as I was working and helping my parents who were going through serious medical issues while I was attending college. I just focused on what was interesting to me getting multiple associates degrees. Probably have a 2.6 gpa with some engineering/physics classes and higher level math classes that tanked my grades.
I’m planning on building some flight hours and get my ppl as I’ve read that matters somewhat, the closer to 200 you can get the better. I won’t be able to start until I get to my facility in a couple months, but have taken ground and instrument classes just need to follow through with written tests and work with a CFI.
I just turned 29 and going to try and finish my bachelors with WGU to be able to make an attempt at a unit before I age out. Any advice would be appreciated or realistic advice about pushing towards this.
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