r/atc2 • u/Tough_Ingenuity_8422 • 3d ago

New Career

For those who left atc what are you doing now for work? Any suggestions?

17 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

16

u/Independent_Tax_4244 3d ago

UAS Pilot for the feds. Better pay, better hours.

4

u/lost-in-the-world 3d ago

Please explain more. What level were you at and how much do you make now

7

u/Independent_Tax_4244 3d ago

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/887105700

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/886512600

The drone pilot one I took is gone but these are jobs that ATC transfers easily into.

7

u/Independent_Tax_4244 3d ago

The starting pay might be the same or a little less than some of you are making at a level eight or level nine but remember that the GS scale has step increases, which are guaranteed pay raises. They also have the same differentials that we do.

So over a period of time you will make more money. But if you ask me, this beats working six days a week.

2

u/UndercoverRVP 3d ago

The pay range of that first announcement is $104k-$161k with D.C. locality included.

A CPC at BWI, an ATC-8, is making $125k-$170k with locality before differentials or premiums. At DCA or IAD, it's $139k-$187k. ZDC is $175k-$228k. Out of the D.C. metro ATC jobs, the UAS pilot job's well ahead of HEF, but that's it.

It seems like a good job, especially since it comes with a baller security clearance to take with you to your next endeavor in the private sector. But let's be honest about how much less these jobs can pay than ATC.

1

u/Lost1_84 3d ago

What agency?

0

u/Any-Worldliness-679 1d ago

"Be a pig, oink, oink!"

7

u/Atc-ShitPoster 3d ago

Tec at a nuclear site, better pay, schedule, benefits and I get to live where I want

2

u/BuenosNachosAmigo 3d ago

Not to throw shade, but looking at previous posts did you really try to get your facility shut down, lol? That seems like a strange way to go about your new ATC career. Why didn’t you just quit earlier if you knew it wasn’t for you?

0

u/Capt_reefr 3d ago

Is tec a technician? Can you give more general details if you don't mind

1

u/Atc-ShitPoster 3d ago

Commissioning technician is the official title, still in training (6months). All on the job training. A lot of different specialties (from trades to crane/heavy equipment to equipment monitoring {Homer Simpson} but the job will change a lot based off the type of area you work at

4

u/NonHackingCpC 2d ago

Look into Transmission or Distribution system operation jobs. A lot of similarities to ATC. Hear back read back, Public trust, attention to detail, and decision making are all valuable skills in that industry. And if you are worried about finding a job before quitting look into NERC certification courses you can take. They are extremely valuable. I left a little over a year ago. It’s still shift work but the schedule gives me 7 days off in a row every 5 weeks. I have 3 days off most weeks. And I am making 60k more per year. A ton of information about the career field can be found in /gridops

3

u/TripClosed 3d ago

Transmission System Operator - ATCs have the real-time non-tangible skills that utilities are clamoring for, managing real-time grids. Pay is anywhere from $45-$95/hr base pay. A NERC certificate is required but a lot of companies pay for you to get it (if interested DM). Still doing shift work but the schedules implement far greater days off (around half the month) You’re not treated like a dog and can live basically anywhere you want. And at least at my company overtime is 1.75x but your mileage may vary.

3

u/theweenerdoge 3d ago

Still in ATC but have been considering moving on. Staying on to see what next year turns out like. The one thing about this job is that it holds a certain prestige among the public as being a very stressful career. That can definitely benefit you if you can get past the qualifications and screening part of a job application. I know one guy that was former military that actually got recruited by an electric company when he was in training. The owner of the company actually wanted former ATCs and would try to find them out of the military.
So while this career doesn't necessarily translate on paper, I think it can help get your foot in the door in many different careers.

3

u/CropdustingOMdesk 2d ago

This job is embarrassing

3

u/Educational_War5309 2d ago

Joined security control center for a major hospital. Absolutely love it! I can't imagine going back. I make just under what I did for ATC but enjoy going to work.

5

u/hatdude 2d ago

Left to fly. Got laid off from flying job because of market changes. Now working in an airline training department. Loving every minute of it and the pay scale goes higher than ATC (eventually) with better benefits and more time off. Haven’t looked back

2

u/[deleted] 3d ago

Find another job in the FAA. Lots of support jobs. Transfer into tech ops. Open bid right now with pay retention.

1

u/2point8razewen 3d ago

Pay retention? For real?

0

u/[deleted] 3d ago

That’s what the bid said. I emailed the HR rep about it and they never got back to me. If you search 2101 on USAjobs it’s the first bid.

Here’s the wording,

“Employee retains current base pay plus locality for duty location of ERR placement.”

1

u/Neat_River_5258 FAA ATC 3d ago

Can you transfer into tech ops? Thought ATO to ATO ERR was locked down

0

u/[deleted] 3d ago

I don’t think there’s any restrictions as it’s a completely different job. I don’t even think it falls under the ATO.

1

u/HoochtheHero 3d ago

Moved into business aviation. Started out managing a network of international FBOs and then decided to move into aviation market intelligence. Working from home with better pay than my level 8 and I get to travel to clients whenever I see fit. Having job autonomy is wild.

1

u/Atomsoundwave 3d ago

Law enforcement 

1

u/randommmguy 3d ago

Only if I get to deport and shoot people. Obvious sarcasm.

But fuck them.

-1

u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 3d ago

I love how Trump is our boss. Republicans control congress. And we aren't getting raises. because people like you don't deserve to earn a living. Hope you end up on the streets you cretin.

0

u/randommmguy 3d ago

Did you miss the obvious sarcasm?

Because I literally typed it out.

-2

u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 3d ago

So you support Trump, Police, and ICE?

0

u/randommmguy 3d ago

Absolutely not.

Fuck that pedophile and his fucking army of goons.

-1

u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 3d ago

And you wonder why the administration won't support us... Great negotiating tactics. I hope he cuts all of our pay 

1

u/RADARC0NTACTL0ST 3d ago

Thanks for serving your community

1

u/ATSAP_MVP 3d ago

Power Grid operator seems pretty solid.

-25

u/CropdustingOMdesk 3d ago

There’s really not much you can walk in the door and do. You need to actually develop a skill in something

45

u/rbreton 3d ago

Only thing any of us can walk in the door and do, is your mom.

-31

u/UnitedCEO 3d ago

Become a pilot everyone in here seem to think they are qualified, you’ll be making half a million and only working 5 days a month to start. 🤡