Dont_stand_in_fire t1_j65buy8 wrote on January 27, 2023 at 8:39 PM

Most of my immediate questions/curiosities are comparing to commercial air traffic controlling, which I know nothing about besides it’s supposedly; stressful, pays well, and can have demanding hours.

So comparatively are there a lot of compelling reason to do it for the military?

is it the same and that’s just where you end up?

Lastly, was information withheld that typically wouldn’t be that ever made it more difficult to do your job?

davesellsnseattle OP t1_j65iyub wrote on January 27, 2023 at 9:24 PM

The only good reason to do it in the military is 1) You can get trained, qualified & FAA licensed to do it in the military for no cost and with no degree, 2) to "serve your country"... because if you do it in the military, your starting pay gonna be about $2500/mo (or so, as I write this) and the starting pay for an FAA trainee is lots higher. The qualified Controller pay in the military is.... whatever your rank happens to be... but even at my highest rank, E-8, when I was the "Senior Controller" and NCOIC of a facility, my full pay in 2010 was about $82K/yr and they dont give overtime🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Qualified FAA controllers at the time where making about $135k/yr, and facility leadership was considerably higher.

If you wanta get in fast, go military. If you wanta make money, go FAA. Most military people do a tour or two then get out for the FAA. Lastly, the FAA has an entry age limit, that I think is 30 years old.