Expert: Dacus T. Grant - 9/1/2004

Question
Hey Dacus-
I have several questions about the Air Traffic Control Specialist.  I understand if you can't answer them all.  Any info will be appreciated.  I live in Nashville.  Did you live in TN when you got your job in Memphis?  I'm wondering how hard it would be to get a job in Nashville where I am currently building a house.  How extensive is the pre-qualification test?  What does it entail?  Do you have to be a math or physics major to enter this field?  I have a bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems and worry that it isn't enough.  

How soon from graduating the CTI program did you get hired? Do you truly love your job?
I know this is a lot of questions, hopefully you won't mind.

It seems like it is easy to get fired.  Do you feel like you have job security?  Do you feel your salary truly reflects the type of work you do?  Is there a lot of stress being an ATC, and does it affect your home life?

THANKYOU so much for taking the time to answer all or some of these questions.  I am looking into joining the CTI program at MTSU but wanted to know more about the potential of the field.  

Thanks again. :)

Emily

Answer
Hi Emily,
    Sorry about the delay.  I will try to answer your questions.
1.   No, I did not live in Tennessee.  I lived in GA and worked for the Department of the Army as a budget analyst.
2.   I don't know how hard it would be to get Nashville.  I know that we have had a couple of controllers transfer from Memphis Artcc to Nashville Tower since I have been in Memphis (20 years).
3.   The FAA is in transition and I am not sure how they will be hiring in the future.  As I understand it the MARKS school and the CTI programs are being discontinued in favor of the FAA academy at Oklahoma City.  The FAA is supposed to hire about 1000 controllers next year.  I'm not sure where they will get their training, but I would assume OKC.   A few years ago the FAA tested the AT-SAT test and I assume that they will use it to determine who gets hired.  It is a computer-based test and it took us a couple of hours to take the test when we were validating it.  
4.   No you do not have to be a math or physics major.
5.   Your degree is sufficient.
6.   I did not go through the CTI program.  I went through the FAA academy in OKC in 1984.  At the time it was three months long.
7.   Most of the time I love my job, especially when I am left alone to do it.  It is a great job, but unfortunately when you work for the government you have to put up with government bureaucracy.  
8.   Once you become a CPC (Certified Professional Controller) it is very difficult for the FAA to fire you.  You would have to be grossly incompetent or negligent.   Up until that time, your job depends on whether or not you can complete the program.  It is a difficult program and we have some failures, however you will never know if you can do it if you don't try.
9.   The U. S. Government is probably one of the most secure jobs as far as job security is concerned.  The only thing to worry about is contracting out or privatization.  This has been discussed concerning controllers, however I do not believe that it will happen, especially to the ARTCC's and the busier towers.  
10.   The salary is good and we are well paid for what we do.
11.   Stress is different things to different people.  I don't feel that I am stressed by the type of work I do.  However, I know individuals that I can see are clearly stressed by their job.  I don't know what to say here, it just depends on you.

For employment information go to the FAA website at:  http://www.faa.gov/careers/employment/jobinfo.htm

Good Luck.



Dacus Grant
dacus@iwon.com

p.s. If you have additional questions you can email me at the above address.