Question
: Hi, I'm interested in pursuing a career as an air traffic controller. Can you give me some information on what classes are required and what colleges offer classes? Thank you!
Answer : Currently there are two avenues you can take to become an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialist: "Off the Street" hiring or the Collegiate Training Initiative program. "Off the Street" hiring is much like any other job application process. Each ATC facility posts a public announcement for open positions as a controller. You must fill out an application and posses the general experience required to be considered. In most cases work experience, military time, or a college degree will fill the experience requirement. All applicants must also pass a thorough security background check, a drug screening, and a medical exam.
The Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) Program in recent years has been the most popular route at acquiring an ATC job. There are only a limited number of schools in the country that have this FAA approved program. An advantage of the CTI program is that graduates learn a basis of the air traffic system as well as get a taste of controlling traffic through the use of computer-simulation equipment. Some CTI grads can even earn a college degree by going through the program. Graduates of the CTI program bypass the application process but still need to pass the security check, drug screening, and medical exam.
For more information I recommend this website:
http://www.atccti.com
Here you will find a very through description of the entire ATC hiring process from initial schooling to your final check-out.
-Mariano Rosales Developmental, Chicago Air-Route Traffic Control Center
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