Any rumors of PUBNAT 8?

[RobertB]

I know everyone thinks I'm being a jerk, but it's Good that they are finally washing more people out and making the screening process harder. There are literally hundreds of trainees that have failed out at the facilities and now the FAA is trying to place them in other Easier places. Hopefully this cuts Down on the facility washouts.

I think you are speaking the truth man... OKC needs to get back to washing people out left and right that can't do this job instead of sending them to facilities to determine their fate. There is no reason why the FAA Academy shouldn't be harder. Probably only 30-40% of the people I went through with will certify at their first facility, while we had a 90% pass rate. One guy in the class, failed a PV twice, the facility still wanted him and he ended up washing out on ground at RDU. It goes to show you, that the FAA Academy should be allowed to weed more individuals out before they get to their facilities.

The OTS hires are a MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN CTIs and prior military controllers on the whole. There is no cockiness with OTS hires because they don't have the mentality of "I was an AF controller for four years and worked a 130 op hour..." or "I graduated from Embry Riddle and know all the basics and everything about ATC so I don't need to study, just let me work it and you just sit there because I need to get checked out to pay back my $100,000+ I owe..."



For Swinte...
1) Was the guy who crossed downfield at Echo clear of the runway? He doesn't have to hold short of the hold short lines after he crosses a runway. He is required to do what it takes to clear the runway. So if he was clear of the runway, why wasn't the B737 cleared for take off?
2) Why wasn't the A310 side stepped to 28L and cleared to land, while you dealt with the situation of the B737 holding in position and the aircraft crossing downfield? Or why wasn't the A310 circled to another runway (16/34) and cleared to land?
3) If the A310 was broken off the approach before the runway, why didn't you clear the B737 for takeoff? What wake turbulence is there if the A310 never came close to the runway? You can provide visual on the guys, plus you have diverging course that will not cross...
4) Did the SOP at the FAA Academy say something like... "All go around aircraft shall be issued runway heading?" If it did, then I can see why you got an operation deviation on your second PV.
5) Why didn't you adjust the flight path of the Cessna before you got to the position of needing a 360 degree turn? 360s are very sloppy and crappy ATCing that should only be used if there are no other options...

 

[RobertB]

BP a lot of developmentals are also washing out in the field due to inadequate training programs and management. ALOT of facilities do NOT have adequate resources to train developmentals in large numbers or at the rate OKC is shipping them. Combine this with some marginal developmental controllers and your definitely gonna see some big washout numbers. BP I'm still disagreeing with you and Queeno's numbers on the OKC pass rate. They are WRONG.

As far as the 80's go Queeno. Your gonna defend the FAA? WOW. If you were involved in the PATCO strike how did that work out for you? You sound like the old guy who had to walk 5 miles to school through snow barefooted. Bottom line: That old attitude that working harder rather than smarter is out. I don't know ANYTHING about the training program in the 80's. I do know that the current pool of OTS candidates are definitely smarter, more educated and more technologically advanced than that crowd back in the 80's. Thus you have a better pool of candidates. Sorry queeno but the FAA has invested millions of dollars and guys that have PHD's that have done studies on if this OTS hiring wave was gonna work. They didn't just create this one afternoon during happy hour with the Administrator. Also ALOT of CTI grads have come through the OTS pipeline out of convenience b/c they knew they would get hired FASTER. So your theory about OTS is nonsense.

Peace.

A lot of trainees are washing out because they have no business being in this profession...

You work harder to get smarter man... You study the .65, you study the SOP, you study the LOAs, and then you get smarter by knowing those and gaining experience.

I disagree with the "this generation is smarter" comment. I am this generation and that is a false statement for sure. This generation thinks, on the whole, that they are entitled to everything and by simply walking into a level 12 facility, they are going to get checked out.

OKC needs to get back to a 50+% washout rate to save money and headaches later down the road...

 

[bippoptl]

AMEN RoberB...you speak the truth

 

[Arroz]

I got my geopref email today!


XXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for your interest in our Air Traffic Controller Specialist (ATCS) positions. Since you applied to our national ATCS announcement AAC-AMH-09-PUBNAT8-12162 we are requesting additional information to determine the various geographic preferences where you desire to work.

Please use the link provided below to submit answers in the following 2 areas:

You will see a list of states in the attached website, you must choose at least one (1) but no more than two (2) states where you desire to work.
There are two facility options available through the ATCS positions. We need your decision on whether you prefer to work:
the Terminal option,
the En route option or
Both, if you will accept either of these options.
Comments are to be used to give any additional information regarding your geographic preferences.
The Terminal option controls air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations, information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, & other sources. Terminal Air Traffic Controllers transfer control of aircraft to the En Route Center controller when the aircraft leaves their airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into their airspace.

Air Traffic Controllers in the En Route (Center) option give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances and advice regarding flight conditions while en route between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying along the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports.

To be considered for this position, you must submit your information no later than Thursday, September 2, 2010.

You may monitor the status of your application by logging in to your online application at https://jobs01.faa.gov/asap/.

To update your preferences, please go to http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportu...ifyemail&uid=8E32C5ABDAFE2572E04400144F23194B

Please contact the Aviation Careers Division at 405-954-4657 if you have any questions.

 

[Bigey]

Well just thought i'd let everyone know, i just got an GEO PREF EMAIL for pubnat 8! Woo! Lets mix this up now!!!

 

[jtrek28]

just got my email as well.. How long until the next step?

 

[DaringHeist]

I turned 30 in April, do I even have a chance?? :dunno:

 

[Arroz]

I turned 30 in April, do I even have a chance?? :dunno:

If you can get your TOL, the clock stops on the age limit. You've still got a chance. Like I tell myself though, don't get your hopes up.

 

[Syjeklye]

Just got mine as well. What places should I apply for? I'm young and have no ties, I can go anywhere; even hawaii or alaska. There needs to be a "i don't care, just place me somewhere" button.

 

[k7zx10rguy]

Got my Geo Pref as well.. Things are moving along maybe??

 

[JackieOtt]

yaaay we're still in the hat! got the email too.

 

[turd jay]

just got an email today for geo prefs as well..

I completely forgot about this whole process because I only scored an 81 on the ATSAT. I thought they were only moving the WQ's forward.

Any thoughts as to this?

 

[kit5pt0]

I have a question regarding the geographic preferences. If I put IL as a preference, does this position only consider the major airports in Illinois, or does it also include the numerous much smaller airports in the rural areas also? I am asking because I plan on listing my preferences by airport in the comments section. Thanks!

 

[aviatorzz]

I have a question regarding the geographic preferences. If I put IL as a preference, does this position only consider the major airports in Illinois, or does it also include the numerous much smaller airports in the rural areas also? I am asking because I plan on listing my preferences by airport in the comments section. Thanks!

AFAIK, it covers all FAA facilities.

 

[aviatorzz]

just got my email as well.. How long until the next step?

Since it has been a year and a month since we applied, I would say by 2022. But thats just a guess

 

[derg]

Well just thought i'd let everyone know, i just got an GEO PREF EMAIL for pubnat 8! Woo! Lets mix this up now!!!

Are you going to miss Perfecto on Tour at the Palms in October now?

(Congrats, brotha!)

 

[MissATC]

Just got mine as well. What places should I apply for? I'm young and have no ties, I can go anywhere; even hawaii or alaska. There needs to be a "i don't care, just place me somewhere" button.

I wish they had one of these too bc I think I'm ready to choose this option having tried to pick specific states twice already.

 

[ladiesolo]

I wish they had one of these too bc I think I'm ready to choose this option having tried to pick specific states twice already.

How the heck did you miss PUBNATS 3-6?

 

[srm1734]

OMG I got my email today as well... I thought I was seeing things for a minute. It has been so long that I had given up on seeing it. Even though it will still be a while for the rest of the process to take place it's still nice to see some sort of progress.

Hmmm now where to go where to go.....

Looks like I need to find out which facilities are hiring for fiscal 2011 and 2012 ASAP!!!

:rawk::rawk::rawk::beer::beer::beer:

 

[Rosstafari]

Answers to questions:

1. Yep, you've got to pick somewhere, there's no "Throughout the Nation" option for geo prefs. This is by design, as the FAA wants to put people where they're actually willing to live. Sure, you say that you're willing to be wherever, but when you're dying of boredom in Minot, North (South?) Dakota, you're going to be a lot more likely to put in for a transfer than somebody who's from there originally and actually has a desire to stay.

2. Yes, it's generally to your advantage to pick larger states, as there are more facilities in them. But there'll also be more applicants than for smallers places. It's a guessing game, and the best move may be to just pick where you're willing to live, because if you get picked up, you're likely to be staying there for a while.

3. You'll be considered for all facilities in the state that are compatible with your preference (Terminal, En Route or both), so long as they're run by the FAA. For example, if you put Texas - Both, you may end up with Dallas Center, El Paso, Austin... or Hooks. They're trying to steer newcomers away from the high level terminal facilities, though.

4. You can call facilities to see who's hiring, but the reality is that they don't know. With the budget going on a month-to-month basis, planning is the same way -- and they're too busy focused on the people who've been waiting over 2 years to be thinking about the people just coming up now. You're not even on their scopes. Pun not intended.

5. Anybody who passes the AT-SAT is moved on to this stage. But WQ will still be considered first, and realistsically speaking, will be the only ones hired save a miracle (or a close family tie to someone high up the totem pole). Sorry if it gives false hope to people in the Qualified category.