FSDO Ridiculousness /rant...

CRJDriver

Well-Known Member
/rant

I passed my ATP checkride in April and was issued a temporary certificate. Since I was furloughed 121 and had to deal with the expired written exam issue, we couldn’t use IACRA and had to do a paper 8710. No problem there.

Two weeks later I get a call from my DPE, saying my 8710 never made it passed the FSDO, because he forgot to fill out and check one of the boxes. Said he would make the necessary corrections and would send it in again. Fine. No problem.

It is the beginning of July, three months after my checkride, and I still haven’t received my Plastic certificate. I called up the Airmen Services Branch in OKC to see if they have received my 8710 and if there are any problems. I was told my 8710 was never received! I call up my DPE and told him about it, and he assured me he would send over another copy of my 8710 to the FSDO.

It is the beginning of Augutst now, 4 months after my checkride and getting close to having to get another temporary. Again, I call up OKC and see if they got it this time around. Yup, we got it on July 22, but we had to send it back because neither the DPE or FSDO signed it. What the hell? So, Monday I called my local FSDO and requested to speak to my DPE’s POI to see what’s going on and if they got the correction notice already on my 8710. The only person I got was a secretary, but she told me to leave him a message, and he is pretty good at getting back to people. Well, it has been 3 days and I still haven’t heard jack…

Now, am I just having bad luck or does the FSDO have no clue how to do paper 8710 anymore? I’m at the point where I’ll have to call up and make an appointment to talk to them in person, which I’ll probably have to do anyway, since I’ll most likely need another temporary. I’m not actively flying right now, but it is still frustrating….

/end rant
 
I know how you feel, I haven't been able to get a call returned from my FSDO to get an AGI test converted into a certificate. I hate calling over and over again and just getting voicemails, but it's taking me a week to just make an appointment.

Interestingly enough, last certificate I did with IACRA and the FSDO asked me to do a paper 8710 instead because they preferred it that way. :dunno:
 
Now, am I just having bad luck or does the FSDO have no clue how to do paper 8710 anymore?

Dude, they're government employees. FAA employees which makes it even worse. I'd be on the phone once in the a.m. and once in the p.m. five days a week until this jackass got it right. Sadly, once a DPE gets paid and walks away they don't care too much about anything except getting paid again. Thats why being a DPE is such a sweet job...
 
At least you got your ATP checkride in. I'm still waiting for mine. My POI doesn't return phone calls or emails... argh!
 
/rant

Now, am I just having bad luck or does the FSDO have no clue how to do paper 8710 anymore? I’m at the point where I’ll have to call up and make an appointment to talk to them in person, which I’ll probably have to do anyway, since I’ll most likely need another temporary. I’m not actively flying right now, but it is still frustrating….

/end rant

In a related story, I had an appointment to renew my CFI with the FSDO...to prepare, I filled out all my details on IACRA...

When I got to the FSDO, I told the guy I had filled out all of my stuff on IACRA and he looked at me like a deer in headlights!

How does the FAA *NOT* have access to IACRA?! It's their own silly program!!!

After a few passive aggressive exhales, the examiner "found" a way to make it work by using a secretary's computer....what a great design!
 
How did you take the ride with an expired written? I thought that provision only applied if you took the captain upgrade at your 121 carrier.
 
If you really want to give a wake up call, just write a nice letter to your Congress rep. But not before you figure out where and when you are going to move.
 
For what it's worth, I have a great relationship with the Lincoln, Nebraska FSDO. Got a couple of the inspectors numbers on speed dial in my phone, always get an answer, always get paperwork processed fine, can walk in without an appointment no problem....I have no complaints. They've been excellent to work with.
 
In a related story, I had an appointment to renew my CFI with the FSDO...to prepare, I filled out all my details on IACRA...

When I got to the FSDO, I told the guy I had filled out all of my stuff on IACRA and he looked at me like a deer in headlights!

I had a similar experience. I thought and 8710 would be the last thing I would've needed. But I was wrong.
 
Thanks for the link to the prior discussion, but I'm still missing what Part of 61.39 allows one to use an expired written except as part of the PIC qualification (captain upgrade). I'm in the same boat; I hold an expired written but have yet to get the ticket, and I'm also furloughed from a Part 121 carrier. Anyway, sorry you're having difficulty with the FAA, and I hope you get your ticket in the mail soon.
 
For what it's worth, I have a great relationship with the Lincoln, Nebraska FSDO. Got a couple of the inspectors numbers on speed dial in my phone, always get an answer, always get paperwork processed fine, can walk in without an appointment no problem....I have no complaints. They've been excellent to work with.


well its Nebraska, they're probably just happy to have someone to talk to.
 
Those who can, do.
Those who can't CFI until they have enough time.
Those who can't instruct work for the FAA.


I have never met an FAA inspector I wanted to meet twice.
 
Those who can, do.
Those who can't CFI until they have enough time.
Those who can't instruct work for the FAA.


I have never met an FAA inspector I wanted to meet twice.


I've actually had a good relationship with the Ft. Worth FSDO.
 
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