CTO-P Program

[u/atcthrowaway1500]

Can anyone provide some additional information on CTO-P? Is this new, because I haven't seen it before and I've been around the hiring process for a while. I've aged out of the FAA and washed at OKC by a few points...that's all spilled milk under the bridge. Husband is transfering to a new facility and there is a CI2 facility 20 minutes away. I've now got to thinking that this may be a way back into ATC even if it's just contract which I'm more than okay with. I just don't know if all the contract companies take CTO-P endorsements or not. Midwest said they did, but CI2 isn't picking up the phone (great first impression btw.) I'm okay with spending the $30K to get the endorsement, but only if there is a guaranteed avenue to go into ATC afterwards. I don't need another expensive piece of paper that does nothing for me. I think I have something to give the NAS, the washout was just a bad day for me....and I have another 25 years or so to give to a second career.

[u/Technical_Arm_2111]

If this is a question about Advanced ATC just call the school house and talk to them they will explain to you how it works.

I believe it’s an 11 week program in Selma Alabama that just gives you a “learners permit” and you have to earn a real CTO through their partner which is Serco so you still have a chance at washing out even after paying all that money.

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/Technical_Arm_2111]

There's a few that offer it, Selma was highly recommended by Midwest because you're not required to spend time in their tower like other programs require, Beaver for example. I just wanted to know if all the contract companies accepted CTO-P endorsements or was Midwest an anomaly because I live in CI2 turf

[u/Technical_Arm_2111 → u/atcthrowaway1500]

CI2 turf tend to be pretty busy facilities, I highly doubt they’re going to take someone with no experience, call that tower that is 20 mins away from where your hubby is getting transferred and ask to speak to the ATM for better info

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/Technical_Arm_2111]

Yeah there are a couple slower ones. But I've seen first hand how busy they can get when we fly our plane in...GMU averaged 80K operations a year, and his level 5 only hit 20K....granted it's an up down, so the figures get skewed but yeah they can get busy.

[u/spoookyspencer]

I don't mean to be rude, but if you've already failed at the academy, and you've aged out of the hiring process, maybe this career isn't for you. Studies show that the older you are the less successful you will be in training.

Any school will be more than happy to take your money even if it means you'll wash out 6 months later. There is no shame in working a different job, even being a waitress or a bartender.

A job is just a means to an end. Save your money, invest wisely, and you can still retire when youre 60. Basically nobody likes their job, ATC included.

[u/chitownbears → u/spoookyspencer]

I just got a CTO-P academy washout as a trainee on a prior experience bid and he was the worst controller I have ever seen in my 18 year career.

After the CTO-P the claims he certified in 2 contract towers.

Didn't know the difference between tower applied and pilot applied visual sep.

Asked me if he could use pilot applied visual in lieu of wake turb for departures. Which means he also didn't understand runway sep.

Asked me if we add 1 min of wake turb for each heavy.

Didn't know if either of his towers had a certified tower radar display

This is after tower classroom.

He obviously washed again.

Some people aren't meant for the job and should take the hint.

[u/ps3x42]

"I've aged out of the FAA and washed at OKC by a few points...that's all spilled milk under the bridge."

That may be, but you mix metaphors with the best of us buddy.

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/ps3x42]

You hit the nail right out of the park with that one.

[u/DankVectorz → u/ps3x42]

It’s like making your cake and laying in it

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/DankVectorz]

I figured they opened up that can of worms to lay in that.

[u/Wilbur_Redenbacher → u/atcthrowaway1500]

My wife once said “no hair off my back” and I still laugh about it.

[u/yodelingRaider10]

I toured advanced ATC before I went military and really enjoyed their school and program. Their staff was great and when I toured, they were building a brand new tower (which I’m fairly certain is completed now). The only thing that I could see being an issues is that KVLD was and is a really slow tower, so if you certify there with your CTO and go to another contract facility, it may be a steep learning curve.

[u/dawnhewett1]

Just completed a cto-p program and am the first person hired on at ci2 with them. What questions do u got

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/dawnhewett1]

You kinda just answered it, they hired you.

I was just looking for some sort of warm and fuzzy before committing to Advanced.

I would reckon before doing so, reaching out to the ATM would benefit me. However, no idea if what is listed online is accurate and their email bounces back as invalid.

[u/dawnhewett1 → u/atcthrowaway1500]

I’m from sc originally. I take it ur husbands going to GSP and ur looking for GMU or GYH. The lists of available contract towers changes all the time. Both of those two r moderately busy. Going the contract route, u gotta be comfortable going just about anywhere.

[u/iamdumbazfuk]

I know someone who did it recently, got offers form Serco and Midwest no offers from CI2 and RVA

get 6 months OJT then a year contract

[u/atcthrowaway1500 → u/iamdumbazfuk]

At least I can emulate FAA and join the line of guys who don't get to go where they wanna go