AAL763

Hey Guys,

I'm a senior at UND graduating in about a month with a degree in ATC. Even though I'm an ATC major, I've wanted to be an airline pilot since I was 3 years old. However, since my parents couldn't afford to send me to UND to become a pilot and since I don't qualify for any subsidized loans or grants, I had to do ATC. My plan was to become an air traffic controller for say 3-4 years in order to save up enough money to completely pay for my ratings and then pursue a career as a pilot. Well, the FAA recently changed it's hiring practices to become a controller. Instead of networking, good grades, & interviews, the FAA now requires all applicants to take and pass a "Biographical Assessment" as the first step in becoming a controller. This Bio Assessment was open to everyone, not just ATC majors and previous military folk... Unfortunately, based on my answers to the BioQ, I was deemed "NOT" eligible for a job within the FAA as an ATC, because my answers didn't "empirically predict success as an air traffic controller in the FAA." Apparently, I was in the wrong for suggesting I like to work in a group environment instead of individually or that I have never been late to work... As you can imagine, I am now very distraught. Sitting in class with other ATC students, who I usually tutor and help, and listening to a majority of them say that they passed the personality assessment and knowing that I didn't was really disheartening.

I've been through a lot of struggles in my life when it comes to aviation. As a birthday present, my parents bought me my first flight lesson when I was 13. When I was in the fourth grade, I was diagnosed with ADD and prescribed medication for it. Right before I was supposed to solo, I went in to get my medical certificate and was told I was ineligible to receive a medical certificate based on a history of ADD. Long story short, it wasn't until after my sophomore year of college and many thousands of dollars in psych. fees that I was able to receive my Class I Unrestricted medical from the FAA.

Unfortunately, right now I am feeling very lost and helpless. First I was told I couldn't fly because of a childhood history of ADD. After overcoming that obstacle, and passing my college PPL course at the top of my class, I was told I still couldn't fly because of the cost. Now, I've been told that I don't fit the personality profile of the career I've spent the last four years busting my ass to get into.

I honestly don't know how I am ever going to raise enough money to become an airline pilot now. I thought about becoming an aircraft dispatcher after college, but am now realizing that with their salary, there's no way I could save up enough money and still be able to live and raise a family if one comes along. I thought about the military, but I am medically disqualified with no chance of a waiver because of that same childhood history of ADD. Do any of you have any suggestions as to what I can do to obtain my dream of becoming an airline pilot? If I did end up becoming a dispatcher, it would likely be 7-8 years before I could send myself to flight school - that would put me around 30 years old. Is this too old to start a career as a pilot? I really just need ideas of what to do with my life I guess, because right now, I can't think of that many.

Thanks

Cubdriver

Well there's ATC run by contractors not by the FAA, and I wonder if you called any of them and asked if they use this psych screen? If not you could simply go that route although I doubt they make as much money because they are used for low traffic airports mostly. Here's one, there must be dozens.

Midwest Air Traffic Control

On the pilot career, the test is whether you can get a first class medical or not. Just go take the exam and see. If not and there is no obvious cure (talk to one of the advanced career AMEs, I list a name below), then game over, you can't do jobs that require one. However, second class is pretty easy to get and you may still be able to fly commercially if the first class ticket does not happen.

Dr. Lawrence W Lay, DO - Senior AME - Wichita, KS

Next, doesn't UND have any career counseling? They should know all this. Use all your resources. You are not the first kid to have issues with career fit. Happens all the time.

Finally, cheer up we all go through dream busts and wakeup calls. It's just part of life. Show me a human being that has not had a few dreams crash on them and I'll show you a true loser. Dream busts are just part of life. Growing out of career setbacks is a big part of life, and you are just getting started.

AAL763

I appreciate the reply sir. I was able to receive my unrestricted Class I medical 2 years ago after many many psych. evals., specialized AMEs and thousands of dollars.

PerfInit

Where there is a Will, there is a Way...

Nothing worthwhile is cheap or Easy...

Relax a bit, learn patience and take things one step at a time. You will learn how to create a path to your eventual goal, if you continue to be motivated for it.

Step 1- Finish your degree.

Step 2- Seek all gainful employment opportunities (aviation and non-aviation related). Many of us here started by washing and fueling aircraft. Apply to all FBO's....

Step 3- Save money, be frugal, and save money...

Step 4- Study for your knowledge tests and enjoy every hour of flight time you log.

Lastly, remember that life is a journey, not a destination. Be thankful for your health, your family, your education, and your friendships...

V/R

Swakid8

You can also join the military, with a degree become a officer to make some good morning. Then you will have a GI Bill to help with flight training costs.


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JohnBurke

You're able to hold a medical, so any issues related to your medical or any history regarding that is irrelevant. Focus.

You didn't pass a test. Got it. Are you allowed to re-test?

The hardest part of learning to fly is paying for it. It seems that this is really the question for you.

NoSidNoStar

This 100%. Additionally a degree is a degree, you did not waste your time, since that is a requirement for many airlines.

JohnBurke

There are a lot less expensive ways to learn to fly than UND.

JamesNoBrakes

I would say it's probably far short of the real cost when you add in the interest paid over the life of the loan.

JamesNoBrakes

There are many many things you can do, you just got to apply and broaden your horizons. Flight Service Station with LM, then work on a higher degree, then use all those skills to work for FAA, NTSB, private contractor, consulting or insurance firms, etc. You could do ATC research, data analysis, all sorts of things, or find a way to be a controller. Your skills that gave you intricate knowledge of the NAS and ATC procedures are of use to organizations and even the FAA outside of just being a controller. Most likely a higher-end job will want more life experience, so you need to think about all the possibilities that are out there.

No, we can't do "anything" or reach "any dream", it sounds good on paper but some things are out of reach, either temporarily or permanently, sometimes due to physical and mental handicaps, or due to other factors outside your control. What we can do is change course and adapt, which is probably what humans are best at. There are often alternate ways to reach your goals, or alternate goals you never thought of before that would be just as fulfilling as the original. When you explore those options, you'll eventually find ones that you can reach, but it takes hard work and time. You'll have to start looking into industry companies, positions, what they require, then start branching off and thinking about all the possible positions you might be qualified for or want to work towards.

Good luck.