If you have thought about ATC, but the no income stopped you

[zzjayca]

Take the big paycheques out of ATC and how many people here would still have applied for and still be working at this for say $30,000- $40,000 a year? Almost every post here of certified controllers has the same underlying tone of how much money they make, how great their pensions are etc. Good luck to everyone who is accepting their offers. If they change the system, I would happily accept the offer.

To answer your question, I wouldn't be doing this job if the pay and benefits weren't what they are, and I don't apologize for that.

I researched potential careers prior to deciding on one. I was smart enough to figure out that I not only needed a career that I enjoyed, but in order for it to be a good career, I needed to be able to make a decent living at it. Also my career needed to set me up for retirement. In order for me to be happy in a career, I need all of the above. To have a career that doesn't supply this doesn't make much sense to me.

Just loving doing something doesn't make it a good career choice. If you want to do something just for the love of it, do it as a hobby!

[husky]

I also just finnished training recently. I do believe that hard work and attitude are HUGE in being successful. Unfortunately for some, hard work and attitude are just not enough. I'm not sure that I would recommend this career to anyone that is gainfully employed because of the risk of the intagibles causing the individual not to make it in the training process.

I will say though, that it is a fantastic career choice if you are successful.

[Sean YOW]

HRDC just threw trainees a bone this month. IFR training is now officially recognized as a post-secondary education. This means new applicants SHOULD have access to student loans and lines of credits. Also you'll be eligible for tax breaks that apply to other students. Might soften the financial blow of training and widen the gene pool.

[jakey]

HRDC just threw trainees a bone this month. IFR training is now officially recognized as a post-secondary education. This means new applicants SHOULD have access to student loans and lines of credits. Also you'll be eligible for tax breaks that apply to other students. Might soften the financial blow of training and widen the gene pool.

Just IFR?

[4blue]

HRDC just threw trainees a bone this month. IFR training is now officially recognized as a post-secondary education. This means new applicants SHOULD have access to student loans and lines of credits. Also you'll be eligible for tax breaks that apply to other students. Might soften the financial blow of training and widen the gene pool.

Six years after the first YYZ crourse, nice

[Sean YOW]

They sent me some retroactive slips so I can apply for an adjustment on my 2008 and 2009 return. I'm sure the VFR is covered too at least in YYZ as it's the same school.

[4blue]

Even the first course was "recognized" by CRA. You would receive your T2202A and could claim it on your taxes. But it wasn't recognized by whoever deals with OSAP / Student Loans.

[Sean YOW]

Only the generic portion of the course (14 weeks) was recognized. HRDC now recognizes sector specific training. I would expect that the length of the 2 combined now qualifies as full-time studies.

[4blue]

Ah, well back in 2005 the students got paid after generic... So I guess that's where the "new status" helps. Back then though it wasn't eligible for OSAP at all. So all around better than it could be... but still not as good as it should be.

[invertedattitude]

In 2005 I did not get paid after generic that ended in mid 2005 just for clarification