Putting All Your Eggs in the FAA Basket

jeffm1999 said:
But, on the topic....

I was going to college to be able to advance in my current field, and was slowly realizing that I didn't love what I currently do. I always knew I wanted to do something with aviation, but I didn't think it would ever be a reality for me. I have a private pilot's license, but that's it. I didn't think I could realistically become an airline pilot, plus I had just gotten married and I didn't want to be away from home all the time.

I was informed about the off the street hiring by my wife's dad, who is a controller. It sounded perfect, since I could be at the airport everyday and be able to sleep in my own bed at night. I applied through pubnat 2 and was fortunate enough to do well on the ATSAT.

After I got my ATSAT score, I thought the process would move swiftly for me, so I didn't register for the upcoming semester at college. BIG MISTAKE in retrospect. I have been waiting 14 months since I applied and my interest in my current job keeps getting progressively lower. Now my company is closing their denver office and I am going to get laid off sometime in the near future. So I quit going to school (my own stupidity), I am stuck at my crappy job for now, I am somewhat patiently waiting for the FAA to call and hoping it happens before I get laid off.

I totally have all my eggs in the FAA's basket. But like others have said knowing that you are not alone helps, and knowing that all of this effort is going to be well worth it in the end keeps me going. I feel like this career is going to be perfect for me and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I get to OKC and beyond.

That is my story... let's hear yours...

Good luck to us all, and see you all in OKC eventually (hopefully sooner than later)
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What facility are you going to? Has your HR rep given you anything to go on? There are only a handful of PUBNAT2ers that are not in OKC yet, so I'm just wondering what the hold-up is in your case.

Hopefully that FOL will be here soon! :rawk:
 
I am headed to APA. Pretty busy vfr tower just south of Denver, it is where I did my ppl training, so I am really excited about it. My process has been held up by everything under the sun. MMPI retake, medical clearangce issue I had to get some additional testing for, my facility is not in really desperate need, etc.

"unable" contact HR. It seems like they are too busy to return my emails, but I have not bothered them too much. I figure they are super busy and they will get to me when it's my turn. I just hope I haven't fallen through any cracks. Unfortunately I think you are right and that I am one of the few pubnat2ers still left FOL-less, but hopefully my number will get called soon.

Let's hope those FOL's start flowing!!
 
So is putting two Geo pref on your application would seem to limit (all your eggs in one basket) you in your chance of gettting picked up right? Say the areas you pick have no need for new staffing.
 
I'm a PUB2er still waiting on my FOL. I had to go through the MMPI2 retake which caused a severe delay in my processing. I just hope that my facility is not one of the extremely overbooked and that being from PUB2 gives me an edge despite getting cleared later than most 3-4ers.

Hang in there peeps, this is close to just straight up mental abuse lol :chair:
If anyone at ZSE has an idea of how the facility is looking as far as staffing plllleeassssee let me know :)
 
WoH said:
Agreed.

It's been a year now. Whoever thought we would have applied for a job that needed us and that we were qualified for and a year later have nothing to show for it. Literally...nothing. An AT-SAT score I guess...but other than that the pubnat next week is square one again.

Totally understand about the people asking. Every holiday...graduation...wedding...all of those people are asking. What's up with the FAA? I know they must be thinking that we're crazy! Who would wait a whole year and then start over.

And don't diss those TOL people so badly. I'm worried for you guys. Someone said that thousands of people were waiting with TOLs to go to OKC. You can't process that many people in any reasonable amount to time. They could be waiting for years. I just don't know how long the FAA will string those people along before their TOLs "expire"

Here's a tip: Next time you get a time line estimate from you HR rep, go ahead and ask them if there is a facility with a greater need that you could transfer too. They fast track academy dates for people assigned to facilities that need people.
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As far as the fast track thing, transferring to another station that is in greater need doesn't mean crap! I transferred my station 2 days after I got my TOL due to my HR Rep asking me to. She promised that I would be fast tracked through and it proved to be quite the opposite. Just hang in there guys!
 
KT430 said:
So is putting two Geo pref on your application would seem to limit (all your eggs in one basket) you in your chance of gettting picked up right? Say the areas you pick have no need for new staffing.
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Yes...that is why people are always asking "Where do they need people?"
and the answer always is "No one knows....it's a crap shoot"

Make sure you put...Will to work throughout the nation and territories...in the comments section.
 
I am sympathetic with everyone. I am pulling for all those who have applied and didn't get selected from the referral list, the ones who weren't aware they should be applying to each pubnat that opened to increase their opportunities, and the ones like me who have completed that arduous pre-employment process and are solely waiting on a class date.

My story begins with attending a small private liberal arts college and the uncertain goal of what career to be aspiring to. I was always planning on doing something math related but after a few years of study I knew that engineering, teaching, and finance were not going to be the careers for me. My parents suggested ATC because they both work for the AA and I looked into it finding it to be a perfect fit for what I wanted to do! I put in my app as I graduated and have been waiting one year, one month, and a week. I do have being an ATC as my only desire as a career but do have a decent job, right now, as I wait. My optimism, spirit, and determination are fueling my patience and I know that eventually it will all be worth it!

I am fortunate to have my parents assisting me with a place to stay, and I am making some money, but I would be struggling on my own with all the bills, such as student loans, I have to pay. This is why I can't wait to get to OKC and get this career on the way. Hope, patience, and this comforting feeling that I'm doing this along with so many other people make this wait much more bearable.

I wish the best for all of yall out there! Take care and it's a pleasure to be on this journey with all of you!

#6
 
Zhaj said:
I'm a PUB2er still waiting on my FOL. I had to go through the MMPI2 retake which caused a severe delay in my processing. I just hope that my facility is not one of the extremely overbooked and that being from PUB2 gives me an edge despite getting cleared later than most 3-4ers.

Hang in there peeps, this is close to just straight up mental abuse lol :chair:
If anyone at ZSE has an idea of how the facility is looking as far as staffing plllleeassssee let me know :)
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Though it doesn't help out you guys, the folks at CAMI are going through the process of adjusting their metrics for the MMPI to reduce the number of people who have to re-test. They've had several classes out here in OKC (mine included) take various personality and interest tests to better fine tune their criteria.

So hopefully the large numbers of people having to be further evaluated after "failing" the MMPI will decrease. Of course all of this is subject to the typical bureaucratic process, but the lady who spoke to us really seemed to be pretty sincere about fixing that process, not only to decrease their workload, but to reduce the time and frustration of the applicants in the pool. She said we were all a little "off" what would be considered normal for most other professions anyway. :D
 
Greatest advice I ever got from someone is never put your eggs in one basket, always have a back up.

This is true for the FAA. Until you get your FOL, treat life as your never going to get it. When you get your FOL. Always keep back ups until you reach CPC. When you reach CPC, make sure you have a back up if you fail a medical, have a bad deal, lose your security clearance, or any of the numerous other ways you can find yourself back on the street.
 
Polarbear said:
Greatest advice I ever got from someone is never put your eggs in one basket, always have a back up.

This is true for the FAA. Until you get your FOL, treat life as your never going to get it. When you get your FOL. Always keep back ups until you reach CPC. When you reach CPC, make sure you have a back up if you fail a medical, have a bad deal, lose your security clearance, or any of the numerous other ways you can find yourself back on the street.
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yep after 29 years 3 months and 27 days i find my self back on the street with out a job.






























and it feels great to have my life back.
 
greg1016 said:
with a pension?
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let me put it to you this way,


iam on the never ending day off with pay for the rest of my life and iam only 49.when you can make 85% of you take home pay sitting at home, why waste your time putting up with the bull the FFA is dishing out.

my way of getting even with the FFA is to be retired longer than i worked,now i have on my to go and suckle on my government teet.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the government teet gives the best milk.
 
queeno said:
let me put it to you this way,


iam on the never ending day off with pay for the rest of my life and iam only 49.when you can make 85% of you take home pay sitting at home, why waste your time putting up with the bull the FFA is dishing out.

my way of getting even with the FFA is to be retired longer than i worked,now i have on my to go and suckle on my government teet.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the government teet gives the best milk.
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Were you En-route or TRACON? Past posts say TRACON, more recently you say En-route.

Either way, you bring a negative vibe to this forum and while everyone is entitled to their own opinions, more people come here for information rather than to disrespect others, whether it be a government agency or individual.
 
swinte00 said:
Were you En-route or TRACON? Past posts say TRACON, more recently you say En-route.

Either way, you bring a negative vibe to this forum and while everyone is entitled to their own opinions, more people come here for information rather than to disrespect others, whether it be a government agency or individual.
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ok where did i disrespect any one with my response?????????????????
 
swinte00 said:
I'm not trying to argue, however, I am saying that in some of your messages, your tone is condescending and unhelpful.
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Well said. Most of the people, looking at these threads at least, are excited to work for the "FFA", and don't want to be disheartened.
 
tacotico said:
Well said. Most of the people, looking at these threads at least, are excited to work for the "FFA", and don't want to be disheartened.
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are we talking about the same FFA,the one that placed 214 out of 216 of all government agencies, is that the one your excited about????
 
queeno said:
are we talking about the same FFA,the one that placed 214 out of 216 of all government agencies, is that the one your excited about????
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Dare I keep the bantering going back and forth, however I will explain to you MY personal reasons for being excited about a job with the "FFA"

First and foremost, I have a love for aviation and anything related to it. Being around or involved with this particular field is something I have always wanted to do since I was young enough to point at the sky and shout "AIRPLANE!"

Second, the idea and possibility of becoming an ATC is something that excites me. Not only because it's a job that your average joe does not have, but it's a challenge. It's a career that is going to push me mentally, and being the type of person that I am, I look for a challenge.

Regardless of placement in the rankings amongst other government agencies, the "FFA" is one that is responsible for the well-being and safety of millions of lives every year. I plan on taking pride in my job and in knowing that I will be doing a service for the people that may or may not know the inner-workings and hard work that pilots, controllers, maintenance staff, flight attendants, and many others that I have not mentioned put into their jobs every day.

From the CPCs and developmentals I have spoken with in my area and at my future facility, your opinions seem to be the exception as opposed to the rule. I respect your opinions and can somewhat empathize with your disgruntled opinions of the FAA, but as Doug said above, we're trying to stay friendly and more importantly, helpful to those who are looking forward to taking this career path, regardless of your experiences.
 
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