I've been a ATC for over 30 years and have instructed at the FAA academy in OKC and worked in Iraq training in ATC. I had a degree in finance. I had zero air traffic experience in air traffic control. Didn't know what a VOR was. All I did was take the FAA test when a opening in hiring happened and had a high enough score and was selected. They gave me a region and a facility. That's the way it is my friend. Doesn't matter how much you think you know or how bad that you want to go some place...it's where they need people at the time of hiring. If they gave everyone the place they wanted many facilities would not get staffed. If you wanted a tower you could have taken the offered tower job and after getting checked out looked for openings in NYC. That's the way it works. If that's a bridge too far than I can see the FAA's response. If you are drafted in the NFL you can't say I want to play for the Jets because I'm settled in NY and am comfortable here. And I would never waste my time getting a ATC degree. Phraseology and procedures can be learned at the academy and your facility. All the classes or degrees in the world won't help when you are working live traffic...most of it is natural and can't be learned out of a book. If you need to know the airspace before you take a job you are being unrealistic. It doesn't take long to understand airspace or procedures of any facility....Center...tower or TRACON. I've know tons of trainees over the years who thought they were great or had great grades and sounded great or were from the military...but when they trained on real traffic they couldn't do the job and were paper tigers. Sounding like a ATC and knowing procedures and being one are two different things. Doesn't matter how great of grades you get or how many classes you take....when you plug into a sector to train nobody will care how many classes you took. I loved ATC and if you loved ATC you should have gone anywhere to do the job that you loved and transferred to your favorite facility. Thousands have taken the test over the years and would have loved to get a offer like you did. I took the offer and got my foot in the door and loved every minute of it.
I have wondered the same thing. I just assumed you were atc. You obviously know as much or more than most and we are glad you do what you do. We really enjoy your videos.
Hello, Peter, it is really strange that despite the passion you have had all along since childhood, the right qualifications, and successfully cracking all the interviews---that the FAA did not offer you the airspace you really were cut out for, and would have 'resonated' with. But, then, WE ALL would have missed the remarkably brilliant, educative, and engaging videos you have been making...! Let alone the 'Air Traffic Controller' position, You are more than that--- a dynamic, gifted, Air Traffic ELUCIDATOR for people at large, who has made their air travels so exciting !
I retired as an air traffic controller after 29 years. My first facility was 4 hours drive from home, I still remember moving there with all my stuff in a very small car. I completely understand why you did what you did, the FAA can be a difficult employer for sure.
Peter, thanks for sharing. In the early 80s, I spent many hours of enjoyment at LGA at the old central terminal observation deck and in that small park at the approach end of RWY4 with scanner in hand. Similar story - I had a BA in Math but really wanted to be a controller in the 80s - back then the first step was a civil service exam which I passed, but for the same reasons as you (odd hours shift work did not appeal) I decided to not pursue ATC and instead got my private pilot license in 1998. That hobby ended up fulfilling my aviation appetite! I ended up in a career in computer programming and finance.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I learn a lot from your videos. I was born at Bayshore, and we lived in Kings Park. My Dad was a cargo pilot out of JFK. On weekends he would rent a small plane and fly out of MacArthur with my Grandpa. He told my Mom to hang bright colored sheets on the line so our house was easy to spot. They flew over the house and he would tip the wings.
I'm sure it was heartbreaking to realize that you could never work at the FAA especially when you devoted all of your spare time to get that second college degree. You are making a great contribution to all of the viewers by sharing your extensive knowledge with us!
I have a similar story. I have always loved aviation, driven in part by growing up in a city with a major air force base. I was finishing graduate school in 1981 getting a MS degree when then President Ronald Reagan fired the striking ATC personnel. There was a big push to hire new controllers and I decided I would give it a try. After signing up to take the test, I studied all available materials very hard, only to come down with a very bad case of the flu during the week of scheduled test date. I did not take the test and around that time I received a very good job offer in my field of study.
You learned the hard way like thousands and thousands of other people. The statement that has rang true for decades and is known throughout the aviation community is this, “ The FAA isn’t happy until your unhappy!” I am aware of a case where more then 12 years and over thirty thousand dollars were spent on an aircraft that was physically flyable but had a modification. They FAA was given over 20 copies of their own approvals of the very same mod on similar aircraft. But the FAA reps refused to give the needed sign off. Then one of the bosses admitted he told his staff “ Don’t sign anything, We don’t want to get sued”. An agency of the US Government that will not accept its own paperwork, go figure. It’s no wonder the country is going down the crapper with the Government running under that mentality!
You made the right choice the Faa doesn’t care. Like you said diversity who you are a boatload of knowledge and they would not hire you. They want idiots on the street to train them away and that’s it. You do too much they didn’t like that. I teach a facility or do not train the Faa way because they are not always right specially when it comes to emergencies. Keep up the great work you know a lot more than many pilots out there.
As someone who has had to move thousands of miles for my career (CA-->CO-->NY-->WA-->MI), I find this story very relatable. I've picked up and moved way too often. It's expensive and socially traumatic (I've left behind a lot of friends, and I miss living close to my family). I'm grateful that you still have fun doing what you do, though...we all benefit from these videos!
I got into aviation starting by buy a small radio and had to decipher what was going on. Luckily I cold pick up the ATC controller and who they were talking to. I live 5 miles from the Millville NJ airport and Washington Center has a repeater for the high altitude space they control above me. It was fun spotting the aircraft I was listening to. This was before there were apps to track flights, or even before the internet really took off. In my adventure in aviation much before 9/11, I was able to visit the Washington Center in Leesburg VA for a couple of hours. I sat next to a couple of controllers who controlled the airspace above my home, and they even gave me my own radar screen to play with. I'd pick out a target with a mouse and click on it, and it gave me the flight number, altitude, air speed, and whether is was climbing, descending, or level. My next visit was the KPHL airport, and went up to the tower, and also the ground floor of the tower to watch the controllers doing approach control, and departure screens. Its too bad enthusiasts can't have that opportunity anyy more. What can be done, is they can be emailed, an d will answer any questions you might have regarding air space and controlling it. You state that you're an enthusiast, and would like to learn more about it. I've even been mailed old cgarts from the New York Center, and Washington Center.
I have a love of aviation, I worked planes in the USAF. I'm a firefighter now but would love to be a FF at an airport. ATC is a cool job, I've toured the facility at Merrimac NH, the pay and retirement might be good but the work schedule is straight garbage and your sleep is screwed, no thanks.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. We have similarities in the way our enthusiasm kicked off and I still have that scanner in my car and go to my present home airport (PBI) frequently. I took the ATC test as well back in 1990, but the test picked up that my brain doesn't process 3 dimensions in a timely manner and I know that's kind of important, so no ill will from that. I'm sorry to hear of your experience with the FAA, though it is not surprising. The bigger the agency, the bigger the bureaucracy. I worked for the City of New York for several years, so I have experience in that area,
Interesting story, good for you not compromising, wasn’t easy I’m sure. I also find all things aviation fascinating , looking forward to watching your new destinations
I am kind of glad how things turned out because I enjoy your videos and your passion for the flight industry very much. Very sorry your dream got ignored.
Sorry you didn’t get your dream job but things happen for a reason. Now you’re working on things you like to do and we appreciate your channel. Thanks Peter
i worked with someone at local 3 union in nyc and he was a former air traffic controller. he did get hired by the faa and was told to go somewhere in PA. he said no thanks he have family in NYC and he ended up being in the union instead.
I am surprised that they would even put a new controller at a major airport/air space. I assumed people started at a bit smaller airport or less busy airspace and moved up to NY, Chicago, Atlanta etc. Would you have taken Newark tower? What if they had offered you O'hare or Chicago area space or LA, would you have taken it. Those are major centers. I know you wanted NY but everybody can't work there. I know NY is expensive but controllers get paid well. People move to NY for jobs all the time.
Yes especially on the terminal side (tower & terminal radar) the mantra is to go to a slower facility, learn the basics and practical knowledge there, then move to a busier facility after getting certified and season for a few years. Having said that, some of the "slower" facilities are just as busy, if not busier, than the major terminals due to flight schools and student pilots.
Peter, what a sad time you had with the FAA, sorry your dreams didn’t come true, but glad you have a UA-cam channel, it’s still very interesting anyway❤️I enjoy it very very much❤even in Taiwan
im kind of like you i got a radio from Sportys and before that i had 1 of those multi band radios id listen to chicago atc and Kansas City atc i even followed a Ozark Dc-9 flt from spi to stl and you could get Oags that had airline itineries in there it was awesome
Curios why you think you would start off at LGA in some of the most congested airspace with no experience? I would have loved to have worked with Kennedy Steve at JFK. HPN or Teterboro would have been fun places getting experience with GA and commercial traffic.
I have flown to LGA from ATL three times and have flown pretty much straight in and landed on runway 31. One flight from DCA to LGA we flew out over Long Island to north of JFK and circled back to land on 31. Why the different approach from DCA?
Depending on traffic flows and sequencing would dictate the routing taken. Could've also hit the jackpot when there was a configuration change at JFK (changing what runways are being used).
And as far as life's dream and plan....i was only 17 when i graduated. The military recruiters would come to high schools at the time. I signed up with the Air Force. I wanted to be a pilot as long i could remember. Because i was under 18, they needed my parent's permission, and they refused to sign. They wanted me to go to Community college to become a secretary!! Get me into Kodak!! It is all God's plan for us all. I have a beautiful daughter and 2 beautiful grandchildren now. God's plan ❤
Wow Peter, that suck a lot of are friends got hired at JFK & LGA that we graduated got LaGuardia and JFK that in Westchester. I’m so sorry you didn’t get you dream job .
Many controllers I know had to start out at smaller facility which, yes, meant moving. But then they got experience and was able to transfer to the facility of their choice after awhile. But I get not willing to move. Every one has different situation.
It’s too bad you weren’t able to land the job you were so passionate about but oftentimes things like that tend to work out for the best. Ironic that now the FAA is desperate to fill positions in New York due to staffing shortages and challenges attracting people to work in the region. On a separate note, I think I saw you at the NBAA regional forum in White Plains a couple of months ago.
One of the items that most surprises me about someone who is employed as an Air Traffic Controller… That they are able to somehow legally permit age discrimination
The crazy US Govt bureaucrats, messing things up, as usual. Heaven forbid they hire a man with two Bachelor degrees, a responsible person, knowledgeable and skilled; no, they use nepotism and now by choosing random people from Facebook, based on "diversity!" Wonderful. Im sure they'll select the cream of the crop based on that criteria. It makes me want to stop flying altogether! Thanks for sharing your story Peter - you're a smart man, and a good guy. Love this channel. 😊
You can't work past 56 years of age anyway, and you need to have at least 25 years of experience to get a federal pension. Maybe what happened was a good thing?
You can't be "directly controlling or supervising" traffic beyond 56. This mainly entails the air traffic control specialists and their immediate supervisors. You are correct in that there are managers outside of these roles that are older than 56.
Peter didn’t anyone prepare you for learning the ropes wherever they tell you to go? I mean bud you have to get your foot in the door wow them and make alliances with the right people. In the FDNY we want to get the busiest companies in the Bronx or Brooklyn but not everyone can get there right away. You go where they tell you to go. Do a good job. Keep your mouth shut and NEVER I mean NEVER tell anyone this isn’t where I wanted to be. You try to get to know guys in the area you want, start building alliances, meet with chiefs, captains etc. sign up for every event you can because that’s another opportunity to maybe meet someone that can help you get where you want to be. I’m not saying it’s this way everywhere or this is how everyone needs to think, but bud you threw away your dream of playing in the big leagues because you couldn’t play for the Yankees. 😮
No. With people being assigned LGA and JFK right out of school with 0 experience , I wasn’t going to have it! And I did everything I could do before hiring to make connections. Even got politicians involved and took positions where I’d be able to mingle with FAA personnel all before the hiring process.
I've been a ATC for over 30 years and have instructed at the FAA academy in OKC and worked in Iraq training in ATC. I had a degree in finance. I had zero air traffic experience in air traffic control. Didn't know what a VOR was. All I did was take the FAA test when a opening in hiring happened and had a high enough score and was selected. They gave me a region and a facility. That's the way it is my friend. Doesn't matter how much you think you know or how bad that you want to go some place...it's where they need people at the time of hiring. If they gave everyone the place they wanted many facilities would not get staffed. If you wanted a tower you could have taken the offered tower job and after getting checked out looked for openings in NYC. That's the way it works. If that's a bridge too far than I can see the FAA's response. If you are drafted in the NFL you can't say I want to play for the Jets because I'm settled in NY and am comfortable here. And I would never waste my time getting a ATC degree. Phraseology and procedures can be learned at the academy and your facility. All the classes or degrees in the world won't help when you are working live traffic...most of it is natural and can't be learned out of a book. If you need to know the airspace before you take a job you are being unrealistic. It doesn't take long to understand airspace or procedures of any facility....Center...tower or TRACON. I've know tons of trainees over the years who thought they were great or had great grades and sounded great or were from the military...but when they trained on real traffic they couldn't do the job and were paper tigers. Sounding like a ATC and knowing procedures and being one are two different things. Doesn't matter how great of grades you get or how many classes you take....when you plug into a sector to train nobody will care how many classes you took. I loved ATC and if you loved ATC you should have gone anywhere to do the job that you loved and transferred to your favorite facility. Thousands have taken the test over the years and would have loved to get a offer like you did. I took the offer and got my foot in the door and loved every minute of it.
WORD
I can’t believe he thought he could just name his game
I would love to get a copy of your book Peter!
I have wondered the same thing. I just assumed you were atc. You obviously know as much or more than most and we are glad you do what you do. We really enjoy your videos.
So very appreciated!
Hello, Peter, it is really strange that despite the passion you have had all along since childhood, the right qualifications, and successfully cracking all the interviews---that the FAA did not offer you the airspace you really were cut out for, and would have 'resonated' with. But, then, WE ALL would have missed the remarkably brilliant, educative, and engaging videos you have been making...! Let alone the 'Air Traffic Controller' position, You are more than that--- a dynamic, gifted, Air Traffic ELUCIDATOR for people at large, who has made their air travels so exciting !
Many usual fond thanks!
FAA's loss is our gain. We're grateful to have you! :)
Thanks!
Well said. I really enjoy Peter’s videos.
Thanks for sharing your story + video!
Thanks for watching, jimmmyjames!
I retired as an air traffic controller after 29 years. My first facility was 4 hours drive from home, I still remember moving there with all my stuff in a very small car. I completely understand why you did what you did, the FAA can be a difficult employer for sure.
Thanks!
Peter, thanks for sharing. In the early 80s, I spent many hours of enjoyment at LGA at the old central terminal observation deck and in that small park at the approach end of RWY4 with scanner in hand. Similar story - I had a BA in Math but really wanted to be a controller in the 80s - back then the first step was a civil service exam which I passed, but for the same reasons as you (odd hours shift work did not appeal) I decided to not pursue ATC and instead got my private pilot license in 1998. That hobby ended up fulfilling my aviation appetite! I ended up in a career in computer programming and finance.
Parallel lives!
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I learn a lot from your videos. I was born at Bayshore, and we lived in Kings Park. My Dad was a cargo pilot out of JFK. On weekends he would rent a small plane and fly out of MacArthur with my Grandpa. He told my Mom to hang bright colored sheets on the line so our house was easy to spot. They flew over the house and he would tip the wings.
That's great!
I'm sure it was heartbreaking to realize that you could never work at the FAA especially when you devoted all of your spare time to get that second college degree.
You are making a great contribution to all of the viewers by sharing your extensive knowledge with us!
Many thanks, sir!
I have a similar story. I have always loved aviation, driven in part by growing up in a city with a major air force base. I was finishing graduate school in 1981 getting a MS degree when then President Ronald Reagan fired the striking ATC personnel. There was a big push to hire new controllers and I decided I would give it a try. After signing up to take the test, I studied all available materials very hard, only to come down with a very bad case of the flu during the week of scheduled test date. I did not take the test and around that time I received a very good job offer in my field of study.
Very interesting!
I live right near Ronkonkoma Peter! Macarthur Airport in islip is my favorite and most accessible on the Island
Cool! Too far out for me!
You learned the hard way like thousands and thousands of other people. The statement that has rang true for decades and is known throughout the aviation community is this,
“ The FAA isn’t happy until your unhappy!”
I am aware of a case where more then 12 years and over thirty thousand dollars were spent on an aircraft that was physically flyable but had a modification. They FAA was given over 20 copies of their own approvals of the very same mod on similar aircraft. But the FAA reps refused to give the needed sign off.
Then one of the bosses admitted he told his staff “ Don’t sign anything, We don’t want to get sued”.
An agency of the US Government that will not accept its own paperwork, go figure.
It’s no wonder the country is going down the crapper with the Government running under that mentality!
You made the right choice the Faa doesn’t care. Like you said diversity who you are a boatload of knowledge and they would not hire you. They want idiots on the street to train them away and that’s it. You do too much they didn’t like that. I teach a facility or do not train the Faa way because they are not always right specially when it comes to emergencies. Keep up the great work you know a lot more than many pilots out there.
Thanks!
As someone who has had to move thousands of miles for my career (CA-->CO-->NY-->WA-->MI), I find this story very relatable. I've picked up and moved way too often. It's expensive and socially traumatic (I've left behind a lot of friends, and I miss living close to my family).
I'm grateful that you still have fun doing what you do, though...we all benefit from these videos!
Thank you!!!!
I got into aviation starting by buy a small radio and had to decipher what was going on. Luckily I cold pick up the ATC controller and who they were talking to. I live 5 miles from the Millville NJ airport and Washington Center has a repeater for the high altitude space they control above me. It was fun spotting the aircraft I was listening to. This was before there were apps to track flights, or even before the internet really took off. In my adventure in aviation much before 9/11, I was able to visit the Washington Center in Leesburg VA for a couple of hours. I sat next to a couple of controllers who controlled the airspace above my home, and they even gave me my own radar screen to play with. I'd pick out a target with a mouse and click on it, and it gave me the flight number, altitude, air speed, and whether is was climbing, descending, or level. My next visit was the KPHL airport, and went up to the tower, and also the ground floor of the tower to watch the controllers doing approach control, and departure screens. Its too bad enthusiasts can't have that opportunity anyy more. What can be done, is they can be emailed, an d will answer any questions you might have regarding air space and controlling it. You state that you're an enthusiast, and would like to learn more about it. I've even been mailed old cgarts from the New York Center, and Washington Center.
I have a love of aviation, I worked planes in the USAF. I'm a firefighter now but would love to be a FF at an airport. ATC is a cool job, I've toured the facility at Merrimac NH, the pay and retirement might be good but the work schedule is straight garbage and your sleep is screwed, no thanks.
Thanks for sharing, interesting story! I'm sorry that things did not work out for the reasons they did!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story! Very interesting and it resonates with mine. I hope it will be different for future generations.
I hope so too!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. We have similarities in the way our enthusiasm kicked off and I still have that scanner in my car and go to my present home airport (PBI) frequently. I took the ATC test as well back in 1990, but the test picked up that my brain doesn't process 3 dimensions in a timely manner and I know that's kind of important, so no ill will from that. I'm sorry to hear of your experience with the FAA, though it is not surprising. The bigger the agency, the bigger the bureaucracy. I worked for the City of New York for several years, so I have experience in that area,
Very similar to me!
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Thanks for listening!
Interesting story, good for you not compromising, wasn’t easy I’m sure. I also find all things aviation fascinating , looking forward to watching your new destinations
Thank you!
I am kind of glad how things turned out because I enjoy your videos and your passion for the flight industry very much. Very sorry your dream got ignored.
Thanks for the kind words!
Sorry you didn’t get your dream job but things happen for a reason. Now you’re working on things you like to do and we appreciate your channel. Thanks Peter
I appreciate that!
i worked with someone at local 3 union in nyc and he was a former air traffic controller. he did get hired by the faa and was told to go somewhere in PA. he said no thanks he have family in NYC and he ended up being in the union instead.
Props to you Peter for not blinking at all during this video 😂
nope, he blinked around 11:24
Thanks for noticing!
ha!
@@PeterMasella Great video as always I was just noticing the common traits
@@guitarhero918 Thanks!
I am surprised that they would even put a new controller at a major airport/air space. I assumed people started at a bit smaller airport or less busy airspace and moved up to NY, Chicago, Atlanta etc. Would you have taken Newark tower? What if they had offered you O'hare or Chicago area space or LA, would you have taken it. Those are major centers. I know you wanted NY but everybody can't work there. I know NY is expensive but controllers get paid well. People move to NY for jobs all the time.
Yes especially on the terminal side (tower & terminal radar) the mantra is to go to a slower facility, learn the basics and practical knowledge there, then move to a busier facility after getting certified and season for a few years. Having said that, some of the "slower" facilities are just as busy, if not busier, than the major terminals due to flight schools and student pilots.
i took a tour of the FAA facility where they train controllers a few years ago and the Faa facility is awesome there
Very nice!
Peter, what a sad time you had with the FAA, sorry your dreams didn’t come true, but glad you have a UA-cam channel, it’s still very interesting anyway❤️I enjoy it very very much❤even in Taiwan
Thanks so much! Hello from the USA!
im kind of like you i got a radio from Sportys and before that i had 1 of those multi band radios id listen to chicago atc and Kansas City atc i even followed a Ozark Dc-9 flt from spi to stl and you could get Oags that had airline itineries in there it was awesome
Cool!
Curios why you think you would start off at LGA in some of the most congested airspace with no experience? I would have loved to have worked with Kennedy Steve at JFK. HPN or Teterboro would have been fun places getting experience with GA and commercial traffic.
People in my class were assigned JFK as their first job with no experience!
I used to subscribe to Popular Communications magazine. I might have seen your ad in the classified there!
ha!
I have flown to LGA from ATL three times and have flown pretty much straight in and landed on runway 31. One flight from DCA to LGA we flew out over Long Island to north of JFK and circled back to land on 31. Why the different approach from DCA?
Depending on traffic flows and sequencing would dictate the routing taken. Could've also hit the jackpot when there was a configuration change at JFK (changing what runways are being used).
And as far as life's dream and plan....i was only 17 when i graduated. The military recruiters would come to high schools at the time. I signed up with the Air Force. I wanted to be a pilot as long i could remember. Because i was under 18, they needed my parent's permission, and they refused to sign. They wanted me to go to Community college to become a secretary!! Get me into Kodak!! It is all God's plan for us all. I have a beautiful daughter and 2 beautiful grandchildren now. God's plan ❤
Thanks for sharing that!
Wow Peter, that suck a lot of are friends got hired at JFK & LGA that we graduated got LaGuardia and JFK that in Westchester. I’m so sorry you didn’t get you dream job .
Thanks for watching!
Many controllers I know had to start out at smaller facility which, yes, meant moving. But then they got experience and was able to transfer to the facility of their choice after awhile. But I get not willing to move. Every one has different situation.
At the time, they were placing people with no experience at facilities like JFK and LGA.
Fascinating!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing. Interesting story. 😅
Thanks for watching!
Can I purchase your old book?
Do you ever go to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood international? Can you do
UA-cam video on arrivals in and out of that airport
I used to in the early 2000s but not anymore.
It’s too bad you weren’t able to land the job you were so passionate about but oftentimes things like that tend to work out for the best. Ironic that now the FAA is desperate to fill positions in New York due to staffing shortages and challenges attracting people to work in the region.
On a separate note, I think I saw you at the NBAA regional forum in White Plains a couple of months ago.
Yes it’s too bad :( - and yes I was indeed at that regional forum.
Peter it’s 31 I got one for you. I got called three days after my birthday. On that Monday.
😮 wow!
Did you ever find out the process that got some of your classmates jobs in the New York area? Was it just random?
It was totally random!
Would you still have access to that book/article?
One of the items that most surprises me about someone who is employed as an Air Traffic Controller…
That they are able to somehow legally permit age discrimination
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I am guessing you went to Vaughn College in Queens
Yes
the washout rate early on was around over 90%
Wow
Still 50-60% today, which demonstrates how tough the job is.
Very much like railfans who want to work for the railroad; it just doesn't work out.
Yup!
The crazy US Govt bureaucrats, messing things up, as usual. Heaven forbid they hire a man with two Bachelor degrees, a responsible person, knowledgeable and skilled; no, they use nepotism and now by choosing random people from Facebook, based on "diversity!" Wonderful. Im sure they'll select the cream of the crop based on that criteria. It makes me want to stop flying altogether! Thanks for sharing your story Peter - you're a smart man, and a good guy. Love this channel. 😊
You can't work past 56 years of age anyway, and you need to have at least 25 years of experience to get a federal pension. Maybe what happened was a good thing?
Maybe! Although those older than 56 still are employed in management positions.
You can't be "directly controlling or supervising" traffic beyond 56. This mainly entails the air traffic control specialists and their immediate supervisors. You are correct in that there are managers outside of these roles that are older than 56.
Peter didn’t anyone prepare you for learning the ropes wherever they tell you to go? I mean bud you have to get your foot in the door wow them and make alliances with the right people.
In the FDNY we want to get the busiest companies in the Bronx or Brooklyn but not everyone can get there right away. You go where they tell you to go. Do a good job. Keep your mouth shut and NEVER I mean NEVER tell anyone this isn’t where I wanted to be. You try to get to know guys in the area you want, start building alliances, meet with chiefs, captains etc. sign up for every event you can because that’s another opportunity to maybe meet someone that can help you get where you want to be. I’m not saying it’s this way everywhere or this is how everyone needs to think, but bud you threw away your dream of playing in the big leagues because you couldn’t play for the Yankees. 😮
No. With people being assigned LGA and JFK right out of school with 0 experience , I wasn’t going to have it! And I did everything I could do before hiring to make connections. Even got politicians involved and took positions where I’d be able to mingle with FAA personnel all before the hiring process.