BCIT Airport Operations

[donthatethegame]

Has anybody ever gone through this program or know about it? The website makes it sound really good, but I was wondering if you can actually get a job upon graduation, if the positions actually pay good and if there's room in the jobs for advancement.

I am registered part-time for a 2 courses because the full-time doesn't start until September. A lot of people are graduating but are there enough positions for everybody. And what's up with the field trip to the US do you guys know anything about that?

[Hondaracer]

I took a tour of the aerospace campus early this year

I don't know if this involves the air-traffic controller stuff but the teacher said only like 3 ppl in 35 pass the final air traffic simulation because you need to pretty much have a brain wired to do that kind of stuff

The aerospace campus is super nice though
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[donthatethegame]

Hey thanks for the reply. What's this final air traffic simulation thing your talking about? I know the air traffic controller is something totally different from airport operations.

[Hondaracer]

they put you in a room with like 8 60" LCD's and plug in a typical day at YVR or another big airport, you need to manage the flights for a certain amount of time and they will throw in one major event that you need to deal with

even then your not guaranteed a job but thats what you need to pass to be approved by the canadian government to become an air traffic controller

not sure if your program will be at the aerospace campus or not though

[donthatethegame]

do they train you to become an air traffic controller at bcit? because the courses i registered for for airport operations are at the aerospace campus but the job descriptions are like ticket agents, security, bagging coordinator. air traffic controller is a whole new level. where you hear that from?

[ddr]

take this with a grain of salt .... but my gf applied so she briefly explained it to me

the airport traffic controllers are from NAVTAQ i think. one of hardest jobs out there accompanied by a high suicide rate. b/c your mistake could result in the death of many others. the stress involved sounds insane. even if you can handle it for the next 10 or 20 years, you have to sure this is a life-long career you want to get into.

while the program in airport operations involve duties and occupations such as management or baggage coordinator

i don't think you need a diploma to be a ticket agent. and airport security is done by CATSA, which requires almost no post-secondary education.

[Hondaracer]

The program you enrolled in isn't air traffic control so dont worry lol
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[urban.boi]

Originally Posted by donthatethegame

Has anybody ever gone through this program or know about it? The website makes it sound really good, but I was wondering if you can actually get a job upon graduation, if the positions actually pay good and if there's room in the jobs for advancement.

I am registered part-time for a 2 courses because the full-time doesn't start until September. A lot of people are graduating but are there enough positions for everybody. And what's up with the field trip to the US do you guys know anything about that?

Finding a good airport job seems to be getting harder to come by these days. It makes it easier for you to find a job but it doesn't absolute grantee a job when you grad. Pay wise is anywhere from $18,000 - $130,000 a year depending on position and experience. Room for advancement takes time and is usually based on seniority (depending what you get into)
The field trips are to go and explore and see how other airports other than YVR operate and etc. and sometimes you might get an intern job that elsewhere than YVR.

Hope that helps.

[JSALES]

i have two coworkers who took airport operations at BCIT and are doing nothing with it right now, i don't think it did them any good

[Si]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

even then your not guaranteed a job but thats what you need to pass to be approved by the canadian government to become an air traffic controller

wrrrrrooongg bro, canadian govt has nothing to do with with air traffic control. NAV canada is private corporation

[Hondaracer]

Yes that's what I meant, I was thinkng transport Canada at the time but I couldn't remember what the instructor had said when we went on the tour
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[donthatethegame]

So do you guys think it's a good idea to take it? I just want a job when I finish the diploma really...

[Selanne_200]

Imho, I didn't take the airport operations course at BCIT (@ the old campus) but I did go through with one of their aerospace programs there. When I was first looking into applying, everything looked/sounded really good but after graduation, it was a lot harder to find a job than you would think. If you're prepared to spend some time job hunting and paying your dues, then this may be for you. If you think you'll get paid 30k+ once your diploma's done, then I'll say this is probably not the right thing for you

[02em2]

hey kind of a late reply
I have 4 friends who, I am pretty sure, took this program but this was about 6 or 7 years ago. Yeah I know this was long ago but maybe it can help you.

After graduating, one is actually working for YVR. Mind you she was top in her class and she is really into airports/planes. I am not sure what she does exactly but one time I ran into her at the airport and she was driving those transport for old people but she gave me a free parking pass hehe. I guess she is some kind of airport official making sure things run smooth.

Another one is working (or was working) for Coast Mountain Airlines in the check in area, also at YVR. Third one went to Florida to continue with her studies related in the field at Embry-Riddle. The last person opened a business with some buddies of his, selling paint gun stuff.

I do remember driving down to Seattle with them and other friends for the field trip, but I didn't go in so I don't know what it was all about, probably a tour of how things are run. Anyways I know this info is kinda old but if you are still really interested I can ask any of them some questions.