MY wife and I are both retired airline pilots. She spent her last 4 years as a 747-400 captain flying the Pacific. When we were “furloughed” (laid off) during the ‘80s, she got hired by the FAA and went through school at the academy in Oklahoma City. In ‘85 she got fully certified as an enroute air traffic controller. (ARTCC.)
Her comment: “It was the HARDEST thing I have EVER done in my life!”. “In comparison, -737, -757/67, -747 type ratings and international flying were no big deal”.
The $64 question is whether the FAA will lower test performance requirements to acquire the preferred gender and racial staffing balance. The military did it for ranger school.
Great real life info, thanks.
It sure seems like a difficult job; many split second decisions need to be made I’d think.