Welcome to 123ATC
A website for and about Air Traffic Controllers in the United States
Why Air Traffic Control?
Air traffic control is an attractive career for many reasons:
- ✓ It is relatively lucrative, often ranking among the highest-paid jobs obtainable without a college degree.
- ✓ The FAA is the primary employer. Along with federal employment comes solid benefits and very good job security.
- ✓ Ability to retire with an enhanced pension either at age 50 with 20 years of service or at any age with 25 years of service (mandatory retirement by age 56).
- ✓ Strong labor union representation.
- ✓ The work can't "come home" with you; there are no after-hours phone calls or emails once off the clock.
- ✓ The government hires you and pays you while you are in training.