Looking for a job in this economy? Consider becoming an Air Traffic Controller

[MajorChode]

Believe it or not, the FAA is hiring controllers at a pretty good rate right now to replace those that are retiring.

A lot of controllers were hired after Raygun fired the striking controllers back in 1981 and those controllers are now retiring at high rates. You don't need a lot of school or experience and some of the jobs eventually pay six figures.

http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/

[Chan790]

1. Maximum age to apply is 31 though...

that's kind of important information for people to have upfront...most of the people I've talked to here in a job pinch are older than me and I'm barely under cut-off age.

If I have no prior air traffic control experience and want to be selected, what must I do?

* Be a United States citizen
* In most cases, not have reached age 31
* Pass a medical examination
* Pass a security investigation
* Have three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, or some combination of the two
* Achieve a score of at least 70 on the FAA pre-employment test
* Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
* Complete an interview

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ahr/jobs_careers/occupations/atc/path2/

[leeroysphitz]

2. I'm confused. I thought discrimination based on age was illegal.

Wonder how they get away with that.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It's illegal only if they can't demonstrate a "bona fide occupational qualification."

Air traffic controllers have to retire at 56 because it's been demonstrated that they start committing more separation errors as they get older. So in order to get 25 years needed to qualify for full retirement benefits they have to start by age 31. The mandatory age 56 retirement is the bona fide occupational requirement that's driving the age 31 start.

[MajorChode]

4. There is such a thing as legal discrimination

The FAA is under no obligation to hire blind people as controllers for obvious reasons, but for other jobs they might not be able to discriminate as long as the person is able to do the job. So if the FAA is able to justify their reasons based on the job requirements (and apparently they have), they can legally discriminate based on age.

Airline pilots used to have a maximum age of 60 (now it's 65), so there are other examples.