Is it smart of me to be going to college for ATC and apply for the AT-SAT pre-employment test at the same time? Basically so I won't have to go a full 2 years at school and then apply but rather apply and go to school and learn a bit while I'm waiting for the whole process to Oklahoma City anyway. And also, would this technically still be an off the street hire still?
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The FAA recently had two bids for off the street new hires. Given the bleak outlook for trainees, both off the street and CTI graduates, it appears likely that the FAA will continue to offer such bids. In my opinion, it would be madness to pay good money to go to a CTI school for an air traffic controller position. First of all, the CTI program does not prepare you for a career as an air traffic controller. You will be no better off than the street hires. Believe this! The only advantage is that you will get to skip a few weeks of the FAA academy in OKC. Second, a CTI school, by its very nature, does not screen its students for aptitude. Not everyone has the inherent skills necessary to be successful as an air traffic controller. It makes no sense to spend all that money only to find, years later, that you are not suited for the job. Finally, the air traffic controllers have been working without a contract for two years. Working conditions are poisonous. New hires pay was slashed and the training pipeline is clogged with trainees. Thus, career progression raises will be much delayed. Once you do start on the job training, you will be surprised to find there will be a more than 50% washout rate. If you decide to put up with all this BS, you will be a lot happier that you did not invest ANY money into it up front. In answer to your other question, if you did not graduate from a four year CTI program, I believe you would still be considered an off the street hire. Good luck!
