Jobs other than ATC

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SconnieBoy

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With Military separation around the corner, I am curious on other jobs Air Traffic Controllers might qualify or can apply to. Ultimate goal would be FAA ATC, but reading on this site it can take 6 months or years.
 
I think railroad control is the one most commonly associated with our skill set, followed by 911 dispatch. I actually interviewed for a rr gig with Norfolk-something out of Pittsburgh. There was me and one other ex-mil ATC but neither of us made it past the first round of selections. Pay was like $28k to start and a shitty schedule and you’d maybe crack $80k after 10 years. But I think it’s better with the big rr’s like BNSF etc.
 
DankVectorz said:
I think railroad control is the one most commonly associated with our skill set, followed by 911 dispatch.
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Overall loved my time as a 911 dispatcher; a lot of the people I worked with are my ride-or-dies and the job that I did was intrinsically rewarding. But I don't wish that career on anybody. Upwards of 84 hours a week (six 10s, 12s, or 14s aren't uncommon at larger agencies), pay is usually pathetic, and burnout is super common.
 
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Logical_Mongoose said:
Overall loved my time as a 911 dispatcher; a lot of the people I worked are my ride-or-dies and a job that I did was intrinsically rewarding. But I don't wish that career on anybody. Upwards of 84 hours a week (six 10s, 12s, or 14s aren't uncommon at larger agencies), pay is usually pathetic, and burnout is super common.
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100% agree. I loved working as a dispatcher but I was reaching burnout after only a few years and needed a change. The schedule is just relentless and in most places, management doesn’t care and there is always short staffing.
 
DankVectorz said:
I think railroad control is the one most commonly associated with our skill set, followed by 911 dispatch. I actually interviewed for a rr gig with Norfolk-something out of Pittsburgh. There was me and one other ex-mil ATC but neither of us made it past the first round of selections. Pay was like $28k to start and a shitty schedule and you’d maybe crack $80k after 10 years. But I think it’s better with the big rr’s like BNSF etc.
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I was with Norfolk Southern in Atlanta where everything's been consolidated. Dispatch/Rail Traffic Control is pretty easy for anyone with an ATC background but the companies are pretty awful. Pay was about $70k for a certified new hire when I was there with decent benefits and railroad retirement. With OT there were dispatchers routinely making $110k at least. I worked there in between stints with the FAA and left because of how cutthroat it all felt. Typical large company bullshit that puts shareholders ahead of safety. Before the move to ATL we had daily safety and territory briefings that kept everyone in the loop, and when we moved to the large office it became corporate cheerleader BS. Think, "how do we make more money while gutting our services?"

Overall, I wouldn't recommend it. I enjoyed the work itself but its an Office Space situation with 5 different managers telling you contradictory things all at the detriment to the customer. I'm in Alaska FSS now and its so much better in every way, plus I love it up here.
 
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If your ultimate goal is ATC with the FAA, why not apply for contract positions (Serco, Midwest, RVA)? They’re so short staffed right now and onboarding takes a few weeks.

If you’ve done that and just wanna put your resume out there for other positions that like others have said RR or dispatch seem to be about it.
 
HighFrequency said:
I was with Norfolk Southern in Atlanta where everything's been consolidated. Dispatch/Rail Traffic Control is pretty easy for anyone with an ATC background but the companies are pretty awful. Pay was about $70k for a certified new hire when I was there with decent benefits and railroad retirement. With OT there were dispatchers routinely making $110k at least. I worked there in between stints with the FAA and left because of how cutthroat it all felt. Typical large company bullshit that puts shareholders ahead of safety. Before the move to ATL we had daily safety and territory briefings that kept everyone in the loop, and when we moved to the large office it became corporate cheerleader BS. Think, "how do we make more money while gutting our services?"

Overall, I wouldn't recommend it. I enjoyed the work itself but its an Office Space situation with 5 different managers telling you contradictory things all at the detriment to the customer. I'm in Alaska FSS now and its so much better in every way, plus I love it up here.
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Pow right in the feels
 
What other jobs within the FAA but not necessarily ATC, or any other government agency might controllers qualify for? Has anyone here moved to another job within the federal government with only ATC experience?
 
BNFaz said:
What other jobs within the FAA but not necessarily ATC, or any other government agency might controllers qualify for? Has anyone here moved to another job within the federal government with only ATC experience?
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Did range control at Nellis for a few weeks before I got picked up. DHS likes to hire controllers as well
 
SconnieBoy said:
With Military separation around the corner, I am curious on other jobs Air Traffic Controllers might qualify or can apply to. Ultimate goal would be FAA ATC, but reading on this site it can take 6 months or years.
Click to expand...
Canadian pacific is always looking for conductors in the Midwest and the pay is fantastic. You can pull 6 figs plus you get free hotels and per diem. They will train you. Just emphasize safety in your interview. I got an offer from them.

www.cpr.ca

Welcome to CPKC Home Page – English. We go places no one else can go

CPKC is the first and only single-line rail network connecting a continent - Canada, the United States and Mexico.
www.cpr.ca www.cpr.ca
 
cheesehead4life said:
Canadian pacific is always looking for conductors in the Midwest and the pay is fantastic. You can pull 6 figs plus you get free hotels and per diem. They will train you. Just emphasize safety in your interview. I got an offer from them.

www.cpr.ca

Welcome to CPKC Home Page – English. We go places no one else can go

CPKC is the first and only single-line rail network connecting a continent - Canada, the United States and Mexico.
www.cpr.ca www.cpr.ca
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Sounds like a great retirement gig, just gotta hit my 20.
 
BNFaz said:
What other jobs within the FAA but not necessarily ATC, or any other government agency might controllers qualify for? Has anyone here moved to another job within the federal government with only ATC experience?
Click to expand...
ATC or CPC? Speaking from experience: Staff Support Specialist without maintaining currency is a cherry gig at lower level facilities (4-7). If you are okay with admin work then it really is the best thing you can wish for: CPC pay, normal work hours, not management, fly under the radar most of the time, and you more or less control your own pace of work 80% of the time.

I'm transferring to a center in a month and have been told in advance it is significantly more work but still a sweet gig overall; definitely hoping that's true.
 
SERCO is always hiring…..that said anyone got any in’s on how to get hired at IWA I’ve only got 5yrs in agency and they won’t even look in my direction it seems ? WHO AM I QUALIFIED TO WORK FOR BESIDES THE FAA
 

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