Author Topic: strting small and workin up or just go big???  (Read 8498 times)

Offline NAplaya16-ATC

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strting small and workin up or just go big???
« on: June 19, 2008, 09:28:30 PM »
I am just interested in hearing some of yalls thoughts on new ATC hires should go to a smaller facility and work up from there, or go direct to a large facility???   theres positives and negatives to either plan of action, but i am wondering what some of other ATC's feel/felt about it??

-NAplaya



Offline NY Z Pilot

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2008, 12:15:51 AM »
go big, work hard youll be aight! I know EWR just washed out some people on ground control so big is not for everyone.

Offline Walters

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2008, 01:27:28 AM »
if i had a choice i would start small and work up..unless u are going to a center then u dont really get a choice.

Offline MathFox

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2008, 04:17:29 AM »
Or pick a medium-sized place in an area with beaches and nice weather... :-)

Offline NWA ARJ

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2008, 09:27:53 AM »
Start at a level 5 tower. Check out in about 7 months and then you can go anywhere you would like. People that I know that went to big facilities wish they would not have went there.

Offline RV1

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2008, 11:18:11 PM »
Start small. Get past the probationary period and get your CTO or credentials. You then become a valuable piece of realestate that the FAA needs. Without it, you are expendable and fireable. It is nice to go to a big facility and make the most money once, and if, you check out. HOWEVER... if you don't check out... So you are better off to build up the experience in a smaller facility and work your way up. Quite often, the smaller facility employees are better rounded because they fill many positions as they do their job, where as often at larger facilities, each position plays a specific role, ie., departure, left final, right feeder. etc. Also, it would be nice to sit back and see what condition the FAA is in in a year or so. It's not looking too good right now.

Offline davolijj

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2008, 10:21:38 AM »
Start small. Get past the probationary period and get your CTO or credentials. You then become a valuable piece of realestate that the FAA needs. Without it, you are expendable and fireable.

I agree start small and move up.  High-volume facilities aren't for everyone and I've seen several good prospects wash out and become successful at smaller facilities.  Although I take exception with the "valuable piece of realestate" comment...sorry that one made me laugh out loud.

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2008, 10:29:12 AM »
Although I take exception with the "valuable piece of realestate" comment...sorry that one made me laugh out loud.

I laughed at the other one: "Without it, you are expendable and fireable."

Those of us in the private sector have been expendable and fireable for many years now.    :)

Offline RV1

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2008, 11:01:28 PM »
A recently radar checked out controller was watching his aircraft on final as number two was still indicating about 70 kts faster than number one and seperated by 4.5 miles and shrinking. He kept asking 'Is this gonna work?' He then said "Hey, don't we get high marks for compression on final within 5 miles?'
   My response was 'It all depends on how many days in the agency you have, if it's 364, you're still on probation and less then 3 miles, they'll fire you. 365 days or more, and with less then 3 miles, they'll tell you 'Great job!'

Offline NY Z Pilot

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Re: strting small and workin up or just go big???
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2008, 12:09:30 AM »
haha! i got 2 months to go!