Interesting Geo Prefs question

kosmotheoria

Well-Known Member
Hi there,

I just took the AT-SAT test in Holtsville, NY on the 15th. Might I first say that I don't know where some of these kids found this test, but if they get hired, I'm going to stop using the NAS. Hahahaha.

All joking aside, I had two poignant questions. First, I read in another post that I shouldn't expect to get the big Geo Prefs question for another 3-6 months. Does it come any quicker based on which PUBNAT you enter? I was PUBNAT 6 in August. I think it was the 18th to the 29th or something like that.

Second, I selected on my ASAP a few interesting and varying geographical selections. My first choice is ZBW in Nashua, so I put in Nashua, NH, second was Throughout NH, next was Roanoke, VA, and after was Throughout VA, but then I noticed that they seemed to offer positions in Paris, France, and also in Australia, two places I am comfortable in entirely, as I am a French and Greek speaker. Does the FAA employ ATCers in these places or is this just kind of a weird anomaly?

Thanks guys and girls!
 
Hi there,

I just took the AT-SAT test in Holtsville, NY on the 15th. Might I first say that I don't know where some of these kids found this test, but if they get hired, I'm going to stop using the NAS. Hahahaha.

Umm... were you looking at their answers?

As for the rest of your question, the instructions for the application said to choose "US - All" or "Entire Nation" or something like that. You'll get a GEO-PREF email later on if your test score was high enough. It's through that email that you'll choose the top two states you want to go to. You'll notice on that form that the options are limited to US states and possessions. I think the lists on the ASAP website contain every possible location the government would ever need to send any employee and are used for more than just ATC applicants.

-Chris
 
Anyone notice how many threads there are title "Geoprefs", or "Geopref Question"? Amazing....:banghead:
 
I'm pretty good at reading instructions, have applied twice, and do not recall seeing anything that said "select US - All" outside of saying to select that if you do not want to state a more specific preference. If that's really how the FAA wants to do it, then why have a section where you can include so many prefs in the first place?

In the end, I don't think they bother to look at it at all given the actual geo-prefs email you receive, so I wouldn't worry about it one way or another.
 
I'm pretty good at reading instructions, have applied twice, and do not recall seeing anything that said "select US - All" outside of saying to select that if you do not want to state a more specific preference. If that's really how the FAA wants to do it, then why have a section where you can include so many prefs in the first place?

In the end, I don't think they bother to look at it at all given the actual geo-prefs email you receive, so I wouldn't worry about it one way or another.

You're not as good at reading directions as you think ;)

I just double checked, and EVERY announcement I've applied to says this:

Applicants should select "UNITED STATES" & "THROUGHOUT THE NATION" for location preference. Duty locations/facilities assignments will be determined at a later date.

I've applied to PUBNAT2,4,5,6,7... so I know it's not just one or two that included that statement.

Either way, it shouldn't affect anything...
 
I'm pretty good at reading instructions, have applied twice, and do not recall seeing anything that said "select US - All" outside of saying to select that if you do not want to state a more specific preference. If that's really how the FAA wants to do it, then why have a section where you can include so many prefs in the first place?

In the end, I don't think they bother to look at it at all given the actual geo-prefs email you receive, so I wouldn't worry about it one way or another.
And they use ASAP for all of their hirings, not just ATC. It's a generic application system. Hence the selections in there.
 
That poor guy is huddled in a corner somewhere. :(

It's an easy mistake kosmotheoria. I think a lot of us hunt down attempts to be funny like flies on you know what, and sometimes at the cost of others.

On that note..


Quote of the day:

"It's better to be thought a fool... then to open your mouth and remove all doubt." -unknown ;)
 
You're not as good at reading directions as you think ;)

I just double checked, and EVERY announcement I've applied to says this:

Applicants should select "UNITED STATES" & "THROUGHOUT THE NATION" for location preference. Duty locations/facilities assignments will be determined at a later date.

I've applied to PUBNAT2,4,5,6,7... so I know it's not just one or two that included that statement.

Either way, it shouldn't affect anything...

Ahh, i see, it says it in the announcement itself, not when actually filling out the application, which is a bit of a difference. It's tucked away under the "More Information" section. And as far as I can tell after a quick scan of the announcement, it's the only piece of info that deals with the actual filling out of the application itself.

Yep, I can't believe how anybody could miss something soooo obvious. :sarcasm: ;)

Honestly, unless you fill out the application the moment after reading the announcement then I really can't picture you remembering that one tidbit of information, not after all the other info in the announcement. For me, I took several days too think on it before applying the first time, and only glanced at the announcement the 2nd time.

I understand that this is the FAA's general form, but I would think they would have some ability to make minor alterations based off of announcements.

But as you said Chichi, it doesn't seem to have any effect on things anyway, so I would chalk it up as no harm, no foul.
 
Ahh, i see, it says it in the announcement itself, not when actually filling out the application, which is a bit of a difference. It's tucked away under the "More Information" section. And as far as I can tell after a quick scan of the announcement, it's the only piece of info that deals with the actual filling out of the application itself.

Yep, I can't believe how anybody could miss something soooo obvious. :sarcasm: ;)

Honestly, unless you fill out the application the moment after reading the announcement then I really can't picture you remembering that one tidbit of information, not after all the other info in the announcement. For me, I took several days too think on it before applying the first time, and only glanced at the announcement the 2nd time.

I understand that this is the FAA's general form, but I would think they would have some ability to make minor alterations based off of announcements.

But as you said Chichi, it doesn't seem to have any effect on things anyway, so I would chalk it up as no harm, no foul.

Don't feel bad, I made the same mistake on my first announcement. Didn't prevent me from getting an offer....
 
Most Australians speak Greek. I am surprised you are unaware of this.

That's not true at all. Where did you hear that?

As for the others, sorry the questions weren't as poignant as I thought.

My biggest concern was the opportunity to work outside the USA and still earn the high pay, but apparently it's not a possibility at this time.

Oh - not looking at their answers. I talked to a few of them and they were as dumb as rocks.
 
That's not true at all. Where did you hear that?

As for the others, sorry the questions weren't as poignant as I thought.

My biggest concern was the opportunity to work outside the USA and still earn the high pay, but apparently it's not a possibility at this time.

Oh - not looking at their answers. I talked to a few of them and they were as dumb as rocks.

I dont know brother. I'd say tread lightly with calling someone dumb as a rock.

Your question wasnt too bright itself.

In the announcement it said THROUGHOUT THE NATION...i'm not sure about my geography, but i'm pretty sure Australia and France are not in our nation. And not to boot, hell even if you didnt read the announcement correctly, just think. The FAA - Federal Aviation Administration. Keyword here being Federal. Pretty sure that has only to do with our country....so chose wisely. It'd be a trip if those that are dumb as rocks end up getting picked while you dont wouldnt it?
 
It was a perfectly valid question.

By your logic and understanding, the FBI should not be fielding agents in other countries either.
 
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