FAA Announcement AAC-AMH-08-PUBNAT1-08232

[Luftwaffe]

I've recently talked to one of the guys fairly high up the ranks and was encouraged to hear that the February announcement should be on the list for the May panels. I couldn’t get any exact dates, but told me that second public announcement would be up for selection in June/July. I also found it interesting that we would be up for selection before the CTI grads which will start making their way through the process in June, since they’re graduating now in May.

Now how they’re planning to select people without a geographic preference I’m not sure. He did not have an answer for that question. He was under the impression we chose our preferences when we applied and was not aware of the instructions to choose “Throughout the Nation.” I did follow the instructions, but also made some preferences. He said that was probably the right way to go, because they will be taking preferences into consideration when making selections.

On the bright said he said as long as you scored well qualified and our patient, just about everyone will probably get a chance, due to the wash out rate. I know here in Miami we had 2 decline the offer after seeing the pay, 4 transferred from Miami Tower to a local VFR Tower when they couldn’t cut it, and another 16 wash out at ZMA all in within the past 6 months. Now these facilities are back to square one pretty much.

After all the conflicting information I’ve gotten I don’t know what to think anymore, but hopefully this helps some.

 

[Beehive]

In that case, no offense taken. I wasn't sure if it was intended as a jab or not.

Well...you gotta 100 and I didn't. I had to release my frustration somehow!

I get what you're saying about the location picks.
My bet is you'll get a e-mail Monday morning at 900 reading "we need your preferences e-mailed to us by 1700 Monday. If you don't respond you will no longer be considered for employment with the FAA."

I'm interested to see how this will all go down. Wish ya the best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[wynnpoe3]

"I did follow the instructions, but also made some preferences. He said that was probably the right way to go, because they will be taking preferences into consideration when making selections."

I applied for the most recent public announcement and was wondering if selecting Throughout the Nation and a few preferences is the right thing to do? Will that really help in any way, or will it just bother them when it comes time to look at all of the applications. Although I'm not too terribly picky about where I would live, I would just prefer it to be nowhere north of LEX or even CVG. If they will actually look at the preferences, then I'm all for doing that.

 

[Acey97]

I've recently talked to one of the guys fairly high up the ranks and was encouraged to hear that the February announcement should be on the list for the May panels. I couldn’t get any exact dates, but told me that second public announcement would be up for selection in June/July. I also found it interesting that we would be up for selection before the CTI grads which will start making their way through the process in June, since they’re graduating now in May.

Now how they’re planning to select people without a geographic preference I’m not sure. He did not have an answer for that question. He was under the impression we chose our preferences when we applied and was not aware of the instructions to choose “Throughout the Nation.” I did follow the instructions, but also made some preferences. He said that was probably the right way to go, because they will be taking preferences into consideration when making selections.

On the bright said he said as long as you scored well qualified and our patient, just about everyone will probably get a chance, due to the wash out rate. I know here in Miami we had 2 decline the offer after seeing the pay, 4 transferred from Miami Tower to a local VFR Tower when they couldn’t cut it, and another 16 wash out at ZMA all in within the past 6 months. Now these facilities are back to square one pretty much.

After all the conflicting information I’ve gotten I don’t know what to think anymore, but hopefully this helps some.

That's news to me. I didn't think the Feb applicants would be considered by any of these May panels. I kinda wish I had selected a geographic preference.

 

[MrFent]

Lets just be sure to check our e-mail everyday (which I'm sure all of us do) If the Febs are going to be picked for the May panel, they probably won't give us much time to respond.

 

[Luftwaffe]

That's news to me. I didn't think the Feb applicants would be considered by any of these May panels.

Same here, I was thinking July as well, but most of what I've been hearing is that their "aiming" for alot sooner than that (May). I just don't understand whats going on with the geographical preferences. I agree we're probably not going to get much time to respond if we do get that email asking us for it in time before they meet.

 

[SoonerATC]

My bet is you'll get a e-mail Monday morning at 900 reading "we need your preferences e-mailed to us by 1700 Monday. If you don't respond you will no longer be considered for employment with the FAA."

Actually, I'm one of those people who would reply back at 0901 and want an interview by 1700 haha.

 

[10SM CLR]

I took my AT-SAT last Thursday in Lisle, IL, and am waiting on the test score. Going into it with no idea of what to expect made it challenging, but being a pilot and flight dispatcher made it a little easier for me. I doubt that I scored in the "well qualified" category but hopefully they will place a lot more weight on experience, college, etc. The most challenging portion seemed to be the analogies, and I think I actually timed out with 3 or 4 unanswered. Hopefully that won't take to big of a hit on my score.

There was a gentleman from the FAA outside of the testing room when I was finished and he said that people normally do better on the test than they expect, and that each section is weighted differently. I asked him what would happen next, and he said that a panel of ATC reps will be meeting in OKC the week of May 5th to make decisions on who will be offered an interview. Also, as far as the test score, he mentioned that all the panel sees is a list of candidates ranked by "qualified" vs. "well qualified" with the test scores removed. Next, they'll see the candidates' work experience, college, etc. He mentioned the PEPC as well and that I should be thinking about my geographic preferences pretty seriously because they will ask for that information again.

As far as interviewing and the PEPC, does anyone know if the FAA pays for travel expenses and such if you are selected?

 

[kcarpentier]

As far as interviewing and the PEPC, does anyone know if the FAA pays for travel expenses and such if you are selected?

:yup::laff::yup: you're joking, right?!

 

[rloucks81]

So just for curiousitys sake. I'm sure this has already been asked, but I got a 91.6%. Is there anywhere on ASAP that shows if you are Qualified or Well Qualified? I looked on the Test info screen, and it just says Pass. Was just curious if this spot was supposed to reflect qualified or well qualified? I don't doubt that this has probably already been asked, but there you have it! I wish everyone well in it, and I'm personally hoping for Colorado, Florida, South Carolina or Washington :hiya:

 

[10SM CLR]

:yup::laff::yup: you're joking, right?!

I read something on the FAA's website about travel expenses:

"Academy students are reimbursed for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses at a rate of $79.20 per day. The FAA also pays for the cost of travel to and from Oklahoma City based on the student's official address."
​

But I guess this referres to once you are made an offer, not the interview process, etc.

 

[ATC RET 2003]

I read something on the FAA's website about travel expenses:

"Academy students are reimbursed for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses at a rate of $79.20 per day. The FAA also pays for the cost of travel to and from Oklahoma City based on the student's official address."
​

But I guess this referres to once you are made an offer, not the interview process, etc.

10SM CLR (Hmm... nice day!) here's a link to a page on the FAA website regarding pre-employment testing. Your question is the seventh one on this page, about halfway down. As you already know, there is a whole lot more info on this site but, don't worry, you're STILL gonna have a lot more questions.

 

[kcarpentier]

So just for curiousitys sake. I'm sure this has already been asked, but I got a 91.6%. Is there anywhere on ASAP that shows if you are Qualified or Well Qualified?

anything above 85 is Well Qualified... 70 -> 84.9 is just qualified

 

[badbudda]

I thought per diem for OKC was $130 per day.

 

[kcarpentier]

I thought per diem for OKC was $130 per day.

!!! no way! people wouldn't complaining about the low pay nearly as much if they were getting that much per diem!

 

[ATC RET 2003]

I thought per diem for OKC was $130 per day.

It is... and the Tooth Fairy delivers it.

You're apparently looking at the rate tables from GSA. I'm not sure what rules the FAA has to use or if there are exceptions based on type of duty. Keep in mind that this is the FFA, though, and they pretty much do whatever they want regardless of any rules... even their own. Remember that there was a large group that passed through OKC and got no per diem at all.

 

[Johnsc81]

I thought per diem for OKC was $130 per day.

It may be posted as $130/day for Government and Military members....but as you may or may not already know, the FAA does not play by the normal rules. They make theirs up as they see fit..... :banghead:

 

[badbudda]

It is... and the Tooth Fairy delivers it.

You're apparently looking at the rate tables from GSA. I'm not sure what rules the FAA has to use or if there are exceptions based on type of duty. Keep in mind that this is the FFA, though, and they pretty much do whatever they want regardless of any rules... even their own. Remember that there was a large group that passed through OKC and got no per diem at all.

So IF I ever do get to OKC is it the $79 per day I will be paid? Do they require receipts? Are there set dates for classes at OKC?

 

[Edward]

So just for curiousitys sake. I'm sure this has already been asked, but I got a 91.6%. Is there anywhere on ASAP that shows if you are Qualified or Well Qualified? I looked on the Test info screen, and it just says Pass. Was just curious if this spot was supposed to reflect qualified or well qualified? I don't doubt that this has probably already been asked, but there you have it! I wish everyone well in it, and I'm personally hoping for Colorado, Florida, South Carolina or Washington :hiya:

As soon as you log-in. It is right on the bottom of the home page under where it says, **** NOTICE Regarding AT-SAT Score ****. It says that you will be catagorized as qualified or well-qualified based on score. (It doesn't actually tell you which one you are, but the ranges are 70-84.9 & 85-100 respectively.)
Under the TEST tab, it says PASS for everyone.

 

[Johnsc81]

So IF I ever do get to OKC is it the $79 per day I will be paid? Do they require receipts? Are there set dates for classes at OKC?

The only reciepts they will require are the ones for your lodging. That is how they know how many days to pay you for. Plus the $79.20 is in addition to the ~$9/hr normal pay you get.