quiksilver33

Gandhi and goose491 had some good info for you as far as training/etc. "Pushing Tin" is crap in the realism aspect. About the only thing that movie got right was some of the phraseology. I only have about 5 1/2 years experience in the job so far. Got initial training in about 3 months for free thanks to the Air Force. Then there are about 8-12 months of on-the-job training, depending on you, the training, the facility/complexity, etc. I don't know much about training outside of the military, but it is becoming more and more common every day for universities to offer ATC programs. Selection is as goose491 said. The job isn't for everyone, but if you can work quickly and calmly under pressure you're a good candidate. Stress is one of the perks for me...there's a great deal of job satisfaction when you directly keep thousands of people safe every day. Burn-out...haven't hit it yet, don't think I will. Environment...I would definitely rather be outside doing something with my hands. Hence my 2 cents on the next issue...career path. Like I said, only over 5 years so far, working on becoming a commercial pilot. Know a few people who've been with the FAA for 20-30 years and LOVE what they do. There are lots of little "quirks" with the job. Physical health/age requirements for one, so it's not likely you'll be actively controlling traffic toward the end of a career like that, but by then you'll be making so much money you won't care about sitting in an office measuring out airspace or on some safety board. More specifically on the pay...say you go the military route for 4 years and get out for a civilian job. At a little contract tower (non-FAA managed), you could expect to start at around 45k/yr. Be proactive in applying for a job you really want, get an FAA job, and expect about 60-70k/yr in a tower, 70-85k in a radar facility, STARTING, and a pretty steep increase as you gain ratings/experience. There are many sites on the internet where you can get more detailed info and also those sites where you input your zip code and search for a job and it tells you the average pay. Let me know if you have any more ?s. - It's not called showing off, it's called you being mad because you can't do it! - We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart?

Awesome, thank you all, my question is answered...I think. Now I just have to find these U.S. "requirements". As soon as I can go jump again I'll ask around the DZ, I'm sure they have all that stuff. - It's not called showing off, it's called you being mad because you can't do it! - We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart?

Cool...thanks GravityGirl. So what are the actual FAA requirements for helmets? I can't find anything on this. And no, I have not seen any "rough" landings or anything yet (knockin on wood). My tandem was smooth and my first AFF was picture-perfect, though I know they won't ALL be like that. If I didn't have another surgery a week after my first jumps I would probably have at least 10 by now and have a little more experience to learn through. - It's not called showing off, it's called you being mad because you can't do it! - We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart?

Call me naive...call me ignorant. I am very new to this sport and have what most people will think is a STUPID question, but I gotta know. Why exactly do we have to wear helmets? All I can find is that it's mandatory to have one... Does something say we don't have to wear it, or not say we do? I've been a motorcycle freak for about 20 years, and that brings up a whole different argument. But at least it makes sense to wear one doing something like that. I don't really see any point to wearing one while skydiving, on the plane or in the air, unless, like with motorcycles you use GOOD judgement, and use one for RW or something. With the one I wore for my tandem I might as well have not had one. I am a private pilot too and have NEVER worn a helmet on a plane. - It's not called showing off, it's called you being mad because you can't do it! - We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart?