4 ms·

ATC here (opinions are my own, not of the FAA, etc) Pay is a huge part of it, so it really is that simple. Qualified people are choosing not to even apply any

ATC here (opinions are my own, not of the FAA, etc) Pay is a huge part of it, so it really is that simple. Qualified people are choosing not to even apply anymore because the pay is no longer competitive with other high-paying jobs that don't destroy you mentally and physically, or have a complicated hiring process like ATC does.

bryant 2y ago
Frankly the pay should be comparable to commercial pilots in the current market. Or more. Funding sadly is probably better handled as a tax on the people rather than the industry simply because ATCs protect more than just commercial crew and passengers, and more than just their home country.
- nradov 2y ago
  Which pilots? Rookie controllers already get paid more per hour than most general aviation flight instructors, or first officers in regional airlines. Pay for captains at major airlines is quite good, but few pilots ever reach that level.
  - RandomBacon 2y ago
    United Airlines alone has around 15,000 pilots, about the same number of FAA ATC. So those pilots. Even their new pilots (First Officers) make more per hour than ATC. (ATC here, opinions are my own and not that of the FAA.)
giantg2 2y ago
Median pay is higher than my pay, and it looks like equal to median dev pay. But why would I want the stress and lower flexibility? I hate my current job and still wouldn't be interested in ATC for the higher pay.
- SoftTalker 2y ago
  The sense of doing something useful? Maybe it gets lost, but I think that going home knowing that you were part of safely getting people and aircraft where then need to go would be fulfilling. Also very stressful though, knowing what the consequences of a mistake can be. Developers can always fix their mistakes. Very, very few would even even possibly result in the loss of life. I'd think pay for controllers should be much higher, but like anything it is subject to economics. If people are willing to do it for $X, then that is what it will pay.
trashface 2y ago
I would presume a lot of younger people are probably disqualified for ATC by current or past stimulant use. Whereas a field like tech almost requires stimulant use now. Maybe good peak pay, but no job security there anymore though.
- rsanek 2y ago
  past stimulant use? from what I can tell atc doesn't have any requirements on that side unless it was problematic to the point where you needed rehab
  - trashface 2y ago
    I don't know for sure, or what the official policy is. There are people that took stimulants as kids (due to parents getting them an ADHD diagnosis) but have stopped by their early 20s. And that is probably way more common now than when I was a kid in the 80s, when not even the obviously hyperactive kids appeared to be getting any meds. Maybe if they apply for ATC they just don't disclose that, but I imagine if they do, it will be scrutinized.

bryant 2y ago

Frankly the pay should be comparable to commercial pilots in the current market. Or more. Funding sadly is probably better handled as a tax on the people rather than the industry simply because ATCs protect more than just commercial crew and passengers, and more than just their home country.

nradov 2y ago
Which pilots? Rookie controllers already get paid more per hour than most general aviation flight instructors, or first officers in regional airlines. Pay for captains at major airlines is quite good, but few pilots ever reach that level.
- RandomBacon 2y ago
  United Airlines alone has around 15,000 pilots, about the same number of FAA ATC. So those pilots. Even their new pilots (First Officers) make more per hour than ATC. (ATC here, opinions are my own and not that of the FAA.)

giantg2 2y ago

Median pay is higher than my pay, and it looks like equal to median dev pay. But why would I want the stress and lower flexibility? I hate my current job and still wouldn't be interested in ATC for the higher pay.

SoftTalker 2y ago
The sense of doing something useful? Maybe it gets lost, but I think that going home knowing that you were part of safely getting people and aircraft where then need to go would be fulfilling. Also very stressful though, knowing what the consequences of a mistake can be. Developers can always fix their mistakes. Very, very few would even even possibly result in the loss of life. I'd think pay for controllers should be much higher, but like anything it is subject to economics. If people are willing to do it for $X, then that is what it will pay.

trashface 2y ago

I would presume a lot of younger people are probably disqualified for ATC by current or past stimulant use. Whereas a field like tech almost requires stimulant use now. Maybe good peak pay, but no job security there anymore though.

rsanek 2y ago
past stimulant use? from what I can tell atc doesn't have any requirements on that side unless it was problematic to the point where you needed rehab
- trashface 2y ago
  I don't know for sure, or what the official policy is. There are people that took stimulants as kids (due to parents getting them an ADHD diagnosis) but have stopped by their early 20s. And that is probably way more common now than when I was a kid in the 80s, when not even the obviously hyperactive kids appeared to be getting any meds. Maybe if they apply for ATC they just don't disclose that, but I imagine if they do, it will be scrutinized.