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[ZeG 0]

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What are the stress levels like for that John?
Many boozeheads, and High BP types?

Yes, it reminds me a lot of the DZ.

Seriously, some people thrive on it, and love the challenge, and strive to improve and do good work. Some folks I work with are scared of the job, but addicted to the pay. They tend to get staff jobs, sitting behind desks, and end up being supervisors and managers.

I guess I'm in the first group. Over the years, I've had many offers to "advance" in the FAA, but I'm quite happy being a radar controller. Just like being a skydiving instructor, you're in a position to do a lot of good for a lot of people. I've even got a little collection of thank-you notes that pilots have sent me over the years. The job and I seem to be a good fit. Besides, someone has to do it.

Hm.. I dont know if this is correct http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Air_Traffic_Controller/Salary
but the salary doesnt look that good if I take in the level of stress that you guys probably have

[JohnMitchell 16]

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Hm.. I dont know if this is correct http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Air_Traffic_Controller/Salary
but the salary doesnt look that good if I take in the level of stress that you guys probably have

About 2 years ago, the FAA walked out on contract talks, and, with the help of Congress, imposed a new contract that was never agreed to by the controllers. Among other items, there was a 30-40% pay cut for new hires. Yes, it sucks for the new guys. Also, that is base pay. We get extra for night shifts, holidays, Sundays, and for training others. We also get bonuses and locality pay. The FAA also matches 50 cents to the dollar on my 401K contributions. My W2 from last year was over 150K.

Plus I cleared another $2500 doing tandems and AFF.

[vskydiver 0]

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Hm.. I dont know if this is correct http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Air_Traffic_Controller/Salary
but the salary doesnt look that good if I take in the level of stress that you guys probably have

That scale looks a little on the high side if not correct.

Speaking from the wife's point of view on the pay scale... They don't pay him enough for what he does. He has awards hanging on the wall for saving lives in extremely sticky situations while at the scope. John takes a great deal of pride for doing a good job and doing it right and making it as easy as possible for the pilots that he serves. He enjoys his job. He looks forward to going into work every day.

The big stress however is the FAA.

He doesn't enjoy the FAA. That's been getting harder and harder to deal with over the years. He can't get time off a lot of the time. He has to work a rotating schedule. He sometimes has to work grave yard shifts and then turn around and go back to work 8 hours later. They took away all their incentives and perks. They cut their pay scales. The FAA states that controllers don't have to work when tired. However, in reality, the controllers are told that being tired is not justification for missing a shift. John has even had to work when he's sick occasionally. If he does call in sick they give him the third degree, they want to know the nature of his illness and if he's seeking a Dr. and what medicine he's taking etc. They determine if he is actually sick enough to stay home. Pretty soon it's going to be mandatory over time to make up for those lost positions. Again, it won't matter if you are tired, you have to be there. Recently they even had a trainee working the planes that had a speech impediment. How desperate is the FAA that they are hiring people like that? How comfortable does that make you feel knowing that?

No they don't pay these guys enough. They start them out making next to nothing doing highly skilled, stressful jobs keeping everyone out there that flies safe. And they get hardly anything at all for doing the job they do. It's a good thing John likes his job.