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Date Posted: 08:23:17 02/29/08 Fri
Author: Chris
Subject: Re: How Some In Current ATC Workforce Think of CTI and Their Graduates
In reply to: gb 's message, "Re: How Some In Current ATC Workforce Think of CTI and Their Graduates" on 19:40:17 02/28/08 Thu

In my opinion, one of the biggest contributing factors to training failures is lack of consistency. CTI schools provide training that is 7110.65 based using simulators that range from state-of-the-art with voice recognition to a static lab using models. Which is absolutely fine. That problem comes when the CTI grad gets hired by the FAA. Their training begins in OKC using the same .65 but different simulators that are actually more representative of the real equipment. So the new hire has to make an adjustment. Also, in OKC, they are being trained by a different set of instructors. And, those in the enroute option, have to do non-radar scenarios. Some CTI schools don't offer courses on non-radar. Then, the new hire will arrive at their facility. They will be trained yet again by a different set of instructors (usually by retired controller's working for WCG) on somewhat different equipment. The instruction for non-radar procedures is different. So what may have been considered "incorrect" in OKC is now acceptable. So again, the new hire has to adapt. Then upon completing the lab portion of training, the new hire trains on the floor. Using the real equipment, real traffic, and with an OJTI. At Atlanta Center, a trainee is assigned two OJTI's. These two OJTI's can have a difference of night and day between them as far as techniques and personalities. So, yet again, our new hire has to adapt. This cycle continues and really creates havoc on the R-side trainees. That is where most of our trainees are failing. By the time they've gone through all of this training, adjusting, and being told that:
"'X' is wrong and 'Y' is correct but only while you train with me. Your other trainer might say otherwise. Oh, and if a Supervisor is watching you, don't do this at all. Especially if there is weather and its not the Friday night arrival push..." they don't know what is right and what is wrong.

There is no reason why CTI graduates should have to go to OKC. The first step is getting the FAA to standardize training for all the Enroute and all the Terminal. Then they can publish the requirements for the CTI schools to use to set up there training courses. Much like they publish the Practical Test Standards for pilot training. Then, when the students have demonstrated they can learn the CTI school material, be evaluated and measured against the FAA's guidelines, and then they can be considered qualified for the job. After the CTI school, training takes over at the new hire's facility.

To give you an idea of difference in training programs. Atlanta Center's non-radar portion was 10 scenarios. 1-9 were practice number 10 was pass/fail. If you failed, you tried again. If you failed a second time, you were washed out. Each person had to pass non-radar. Jacksonville Center (whom which our airspace borders) had 4 non-radar scenarios. None of which were pass/fail. Oh, yeah, and the trainees did the scenarios as a class in a guided discussion format with the instructor.

These days, I believe ZTL is no longer pass/fail. But if I were to fail out of ZTL because of non-radar, I would be pissed that I didn't get selected for ZJX. The consistency isn't there. Part of the reason is because of the Academy training. As far as off the street hires, the Academy is necessary for them to get trained. But for a CTI graduate, it is rediculous.

The FAA has got to standardize their ATC training across the board, the CTI schools can follow those standardizations and the training process will be a little more stream-lined and consistent.

Cheers

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