It depends... What is your end goal?Probably a complex question but: What type of facility should I try to get if I graduate from the academy? Tower, up/down, or TRACON? And which level? I'm not really picky about my location so should I shoot for the highest level possible? Thanks!!
When I chose my location, I wanted a place where I could get a radar ticket (so an up/down). I also wanted to be somewhere relatively close to family. I'm at a level 6.
I got hired and selected my location prior to the new ERR policy. So it might be a good idea to check staffing levels of the facility you are considering prior to selecting, if you plan on trying to move to the larger facilities.
It depends... What is your end goal?
Personally, I love the tower/tracon environment. Unfortunately it is usually a longer CPC timeframe because of RTF but I wish I had been given a choice back when I was hired instead of directly to a small tower only. Then again... Tower only is much much easier and gets you the job security of CPC faster.
Highest level up/down your offered, at a location at the the very least you can stand.
If your goal is to work at a 12 tower, with the new ERR system in place, your fastest way to certify and start bidding out is through the highest staffed tower only offered after the academy. If you go to a small level up/down out of the academy, depending on where you end up, it's a long training process and by the time your facility becomes eligible, you're competing with more people for potentially 1 release spot.
For me personally, I believe you either have the cognitive ability to learn and be successful at a certain level of volume or you don't. If I was starting now and with the new ERR process, if there wasn't a facility I was crazy about and would enjoy living/spending time, I'd definitely go to the highest staffed tower only, certify in under 6 months and start bidding out.
Yes, lex is taking academy grads... I believe there are 4 slots on the newest PPT or terminal placement thing, but I dont know how or when the academy throws those out to graduating terminal folks. It is my second facility, but my first radar and I think it is a very good place to learn essential skills needed in a terminal radar environment. Not a bad place to live either.
Yeah I hear the ERR process is a sore spot for some folks. I wouldn't mind taking a tower only facility as long as it is in a good location like PDK, MDW, DAL, HOU etc., I wouldn't want a place like CSG. LOL!
Probably a complex question but: What type of facility should I try to get if I graduate from the academy? Tower, up/down, or TRACON? And which level? I'm not really picky about my location so should I shoot for the highest level possible? Thanks!!
You do get to pick, based on the options they provide.If I'm correct you don't get to pick
Not to speak for the OP, but I believe that he's asking what type of facility should he go after should he be given a variety of choices as the top person of the class might experience. I think it's a hypothetical to be more educated and gain viewpoints from controllers who know the system.
You mean by getting less night differential?Anyone care to give me a ballpark figure of how much more you'll make per year at a 24 hour facility compared to one that closes between 9-12 each night?