how much do air traffic controllers make? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 12-03-2010, 10:55 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101204/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_spain_airport_closures

Quote:

Spain military takes over air traffic control

By ALAN CLENDENNING and HAROLD HECKLE, Associated Press – 19 mins ago

MADRID – Spain's military took control of the nation's airspace Friday night after air traffic controllers staged a massive sickout that stranded at least 330,000 travelers on the eve of a long holiday weekend, forcing the government to shut down Madrid's big international hub and seven other airports.

...

Spain's air traffic controllers have been in bitter negotiations for a year with state-owned Aena over wages, working conditions and privileges. The dispute intensified in February after the government restricted overtime, cutting the average annual pay of controllers from about euro350,000 ($463,610) to around euro200,000 ($264,920).

I hate to have my salary cut by $200K but how many other jobs pay $265K???

Sixto
87 300D

Chas H · #2 12-03-2010, 11:24 PM

This article reports even higher salaries for some controllers.
The Spanish Prime Minister makes about 92,000 Euros a year, while the average wage in Spain is about 18,000.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6991798.ece

Fulcrum525 · #3 12-03-2010, 11:38 PM

That is one of the most stressful positions imaginable and the safety of EVERY plane in the sky depends on them thinking clearly. I'm not surprised that they are well paid.

HuskyMan · #4 12-04-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

That is one of the most stressful positions imaginable and the safety of EVERY plane in the sky depends on them thinking clearly. I'm not surprised that they are well paid.

yeah, but you know how it is. People want to drag them down to the same level they are at. All wheat chaffs the same height and all. These are the same people that feel a Neurosurgeon who is operating on their brain after a horrific car accident should only make five bucks an hour. Some people want Cadillac service while paying Ford prices.

Chas H · #5 12-04-2010, 09:29 PM

I wonder what ATCs make in other countries? A friend was an ATC many years ago, until Regan fired the lot. I don't recall they made all that much money. Cetainly not 10+ times the average wage.
Well,it wasn't hard to find what ATC make here.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes532021.htm
The Spanish ATC seem to make considerably more for working at much smaller airports.

Hatterasguy · #6 12-04-2010, 09:33 PM

Considering how hard their jobs are and how many lives they hold in their hands they better be well paid.

mgburg · #7 12-05-2010, 01:33 AM

I'm sure this isn't the real case, but consider...

How would you feel if you were flying into another country, coming in from over the Atlantic and some "military-trained-18-20-something yo" is calling the flight in because all the other "expert controllers" are sitting on the sidelines...*****ing about a pay cut?

Yah...I know the military has their own level of ATCs, but now that they are manning the nation's airports BESIDES THEIR OWN, consider HOW WELL STAFFED EVERYTHING IS WITH THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF PERSONEL. I don't think they have a full compliment of people at both the national and military based airports to handle everything, efficiently and without the experience of normal 24/7 stresses. The military deal with their own...not every Tom, Dick or Harry that has a pilot's license in the private sector.

I ain't heading overseas anytime soon...thank you...even if someone else is paying the freight...

Skid Row Joe · #8 12-05-2010, 03:06 AM

Much of the loser language of envy is focused on the wealthy and big earners.

The wealthiest are the smartest, and the biggest earners are paid for what they know, not what they do.

Not all big earners are smart - if they were they'd all be wealthy. That is hardly the case...

tbomachines · #9 12-05-2010, 03:09 AM

ATCs have some of the highest suicide rates per occupation IIRC. It is stressful. One of my gf's friends has gotten a college degree in air traffic control (it really is, no joke) and she is pretty scared for real life....

t walgamuth · #10 12-05-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

I wonder what ATCs make in other countries? A friend was an ATC many years ago, until Regan fired the lot. I don't recall they made all that much money. Cetainly not 10+ times the average wage.
Well,it wasn't hard to find what ATC make here.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes532021.htm
The Spanish ATC seem to make considerably more for working at much smaller airports.

I was going to guess 100 or more. I have a classmate who in addition his wife is an ATC who was fired when Reagan did his thing. They both moved to Australia and continued working in their chosen profession. They were making 60 back then, IIRC. (which was double what I was making).

#11 12-05-2010, 08:27 AM

Chas H,

Thanks for doing the legwork for the pay rate.

I had a friend back in the 80's when the ATC's did their strike. He was making $45,000 when I was making about $30,000 as an engineer with a few years experience. He didn't strike. He said something like "I can't go anywhere and make even close to this kind of money." It was indeed reasonably big money at the time.

From remembering this, I expected today's ATC to be making six figures and Chas H. work proves that as the average.

It is INDEED a job where these people earn their money. As said before high suicide rates and extreme pressure. As I remember they retire early as well.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 12-05-2010, 11:20 AM

Yep I too had a friend who was part of the PATCO thing. He did not actually strike, but went into the hospital for surgery and was fired anyway because it was elective surgery and her should have gone in to man his station when the strike happened. He was making a very good salary - enough to buy his own airplane - back then...

Skid Row Joe · #13 12-05-2010, 03:43 PM

I think Reagan did the right thing in firing the strikers way back then. A girl down the street married a guy that was an ATC fired by Reagan, and 30 years later the guy is still carrying a dark cloud over his life because of the firing. This guy let it change him for the worse. Too bad.

#14 12-05-2010, 04:21 PM

I agree Joe. The people blatantly and voluntarily broke the law. Reagan didn't put up with it and fired them. He should have prosecuted them as well.

Law breakers should be punished.

Skid Row Joe · #15 12-05-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I agree Joe. The people blatantly and voluntarily broke the law. Reagan didn't put up with it and fired them. He should have prosecuted them as well.

Law breakers should be punished.

Larry,

I have real sympathy and empathy for any individual that was put in that position by virtue of the fact that they were in the wrong place (job) in a time in history, through NO fault of their own, and have had their lives torn apart in getting fired permanently by the U.S. President.

I guess I am lucky that my work path in life has been tollerable for me financially speaking, and I have never been in the position those controllers were. Especially since I had no idea what I was going to do for a living as an adult, and I had gave literally no thought, no plan, and no preparation for my future even by my 21st birthday.