I am in the same boat, but worse, as I just graduated with a CTI aviation degree in December. I have a 90.4 on the ATSAT as well. CTI grads were suppose to get some kind of preference, yet I have seen people selected from OTS from the 2 states I chose as my geo prefs. It is indeed mind-boggling. I have been unable to get even an entry level job as a dispatcher (I have an FAA certification for aircraft dispatch), or any other job in this terrible economy. Yet here I am still waiting for my email. I thought I did everything right, great GPA, and am willing to work hard. If they need so many people that they had to open up PUBNATS, then we should be seeing a lot more activity in the way of emails. I am trying to stay positive too. Lots of people have the opinion that more emails will be going out, and I tend to think so too, just because the hiring number for FY 09 is supposed to be about 1750 people, and so far, from "rumors" I have heard that only about 900 had been hired prior to April panels. We will see. Keep your head up, and best of luck to everyone.
Pubnat 5/6
- Thread starter WoH
- Start date
I am in the same boat, but worse, as I just graduated with a CTI aviation degree in December. I have a 90.4 on the ATSAT as well. CTI grads were suppose to get some kind of preference, yet I have seen people selected from OTS from the 2 states I chose as my geo prefs. It is indeed mind-boggling. I have been unable to get even an entry level job as a dispatcher (I have an FAA certification for aircraft dispatch), or any other job in this terrible economy. Yet here I am still waiting for my email. I thought I did everything right, great GPA, and am willing to work hard. If they need so many people that they had to open up PUBNATS, then we should be seeing a lot more activity in the way of emails. I am trying to stay positive too. Lots of people have the opinion that more emails will be going out, and I tend to think so too, just because the hiring number for FY 09 is supposed to be about 1750 people, and so far, from "rumors" I have heard that only about 900 had been hired prior to April panels. We will see. Keep your head up, and best of luck to everyone.
Yes, that is correct. However, in the April panel selection that just finished, and for which people are now receiving their emails, all the PUBNAT 5 and 6, current CTI, CTO, and VRA were all in the same batch of referrals, albeit on different lists. The selections panels meet once per quarter, and consider all referrals from all the lists at that time. Also, CTI grads as well as CTO, VRA, and whoever else wants to can apply to the PUBNAT announcements as well.
tacotico
Well-Known Member
Well, not trying to be rude, but is that not your special "preference" you were talking about? As an OTS I would love to have an extra announcement to apply for.
Zoesmom1020
New Member
Hey does anyone know if the FAA has a rule that you have to live within a certain number of miles from the facility you work for? My mom works for a hospital & they require she live within a 30 mile radius. We know where we'd like to live, but it's about 75 miles from ZAU. I don't want to find a place and then find out it's not allowed.
Bigey
Well-Known Member
bigshawnie
New Member
You can live where ever and however far you want from your facility, you work for the Federal Gov, which has unlimited jurisdiction.I will also be about 55 miles away from my Facility so i will be commuting as well!!!
GL to all those going to a PEPC you have nothing to worry about, just make sure you fill out your E-QIP accurately and before the PEPC and be sure to bring any relevant documentation to the PEPC caus if you don't your medical will be defered and that means more waiting.
GL to those who are still waiting for an offer don't give up and stay positive.we are all waiting in our own way for one thing or another!
I actual looked into that myself. They have no set rules on anything like that. You are expected to make it to work, so as long as that isn't an issue there should be no problems. I've heard of people driving close to 2 hours to some of the places.
What did you have in mind for living? I live in an area fairly close to ZAU(Actually I think it's about 80 miles), so I might be familiar with the area you're looking at.
I live in Chicagoland and I would suggest if you can stay in or around aurora the first year that would be a good idea. The location of ZAU is not the best, tho. The 60504 area code of aurora is comparable to Naperville (a local city that was voted one of the best places to live in the nation) I have been selected to interview for ZAU also. If I make it so far (yes I will talk like that till I hopefully get it...lol) I hope to live in west Naperville or Aurora.
That being said, ZAU is super close to I88. With the sort of off hours that ATCers have, you should be able to beat most traffic jams and get home from 75 miles away in about 60 minutes or so. I know a lot of people live further from where they work in hopes of saving on property taxes.
Zoesmom1020
New Member
thanks for all the info! We are looking into moving to portage, Indiana. That's where my husband grew up and where a lot of his friends sill live. Plus it is WAY cheaper to live in Indiana than in illinois. His best friend told him about the I-355 that they extended to cut out a lot of the Chicagoland traffic. So hopefully there won't be too much ssue getting to work. I just worry about the snow storms shutting down highways, what do they do in those situations? How are you supposed to get there?
Zoesmom1020
New Member
Duh!! I'm silly. Valpo is right next to portage. Did you grow up there? My husband graduated from portage high in '99. We are chcking out merrillville, Hobart, valpo, etc. But not Gary, hehe. 
In the three years I have lived in Chicagoland, I have never heard of them closing the highways here, so I dont think you would have to worry about that. If you and your husband have time when you are here for the PEPC, you may want to do a practice run drive from ZAU to where you want to live. Just give yourself an idea of how much of a drive you could have everyday. There is c onstruction still underway on I88 e/b toward 355 and on 294. 355 is pretty much complete. If you have any questions let me know!
Zoesmom1020
New Member
Thanks. I will. 
I lived in Chicago for several years, and I would strongly try to dissuade you from living in Portage and working in Aurora. It would be at least 90 minutes with the best circumstances and no traffic (which is a rarity in CHI...). Once winter comes and a snowstorm hits at rush hour, forget about it. I would definitly do the drive before you decide to move there and consider it long and hard. I know that I would find doing that drive five days a week would get old very, very fast.
I grew up in the area. Slightly younger than your husband though. I'm not sure I would suggest living in Portage though...thats going to be more than an hour and a half each day. We are currently selling our house in Valpo because I know there is no way I'll drive that much each day. I've had it take more than two hours to get to Chicago, and Aurora is quite a bit farther than that drive.Duh!! I'm silly. Valpo is right next to portage. Did you grow up there? My husband graduated from portage high in '99. We are chcking out merrillville, Hobart, valpo, etc. But not Gary, hehe.
We plan on staying in Indiana though for the same reasons you mentioned, but we are hoping to find something closer to the border. That way my wife can keep her job in Valpo and won't have to get an Illinois license for work.
I agree. Try to cut down the commute as much as you can. Zau is so far into the west suburbs, so keep that in mind. Aurora is the last major 'burb before you leave chicagoland all together. With the way the housing market is now in illinois, you can afford a lot of house with not a lot of money, but the property taxes will still get ya. Decisions! I am a single female so if I get the job, I will probably tough it out and stay in the apartments that are right next door to ZAU. One of my other concerns about living too far is the turn around you have in your shift where you work one shift and are expected to be back at work in about 7.5 hours. I dont wanna miss any sleep if at all possible..LOL.
dogleish99
Well-Known Member
Has anyone who was selected for Alaska thought about the expense of living and moving there?
dogleish99
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know if locality rates are higher in AK?
Zoesmom1020
New Member
My husband is probably going to do the drive, just to check it out. He used to work in Chicago and do the drive, but it is farther and he may change his mind about being that far away. I just hope that he gets to OKC asap so we aren't trying to move there in the middle if winter. We are due to have our 3rd baby in august and that would be really hard!
I'd probably be able to do it for awhile...but I think after a year or so I'd just want to kill myself as opposed to making the drive. I hated driving to work in Schererville from Valpo, and that is only like a 40 min. drive :lol: