Pubnat 5/6

I'm sorry about your luck friend. I understand that the system lacks personal attention and that must be very unsettling for the people who never get an offer. I think the main problem here is the over whelming number of applicants that the FAA has to contend with. I am sure you are not the only passionate and well-qualified candidate that has been overlooked. Coming on here and flaming the FAA on a public forum may not be the wisest way to vent your frustration though.
 
I did not attend CTI but was still young enough when I began this process that, if the PUBNATS didn't work for me, I was going to look into the school in PA. I am actually married and my husband and I own a home, so CTI would have been a huge sacrifice for us, especially since the nearest one is over 2 hours away. I got lucky with the PUBNATS. Bottom line.
 
PrincessintheTower said:
I'm sorry about your luck friend. I understand that the system lacks personal attention and that must be very unsettling for the people who never get an offer. I think the main problem here is the over whelming number of applicants that the FAA has to contend with. I am sure you are not the only passionate and well-qualified candidate that has been overlooked. Coming on here and flaming the FAA on a public forum may not be the wisest way to vent your frustration though.
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I don't see how it really hurts to vent my frustrations on a forum about PUBNATS. While I'm sure it's not the best way to get an email to my inbox, neither is calling Oklahoma City, which I did I think on PUBNAT 1, 2, and 4.
 
PrincessintheTower said:
I did not attend CTI but was still young enough when I began this process that, if the PUBNATS didn't work for me, I was going to look into the school in PA. I am actually married and my husband and I own a home, so CTI would have been a huge sacrifice for us, especially since the nearest one is over 2 hours away. I got lucky with the PUBNATS. Bottom line.
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Right, same here. While the facility is just a half hour away, the amount of money it costs to attend the school, just to enter a process similar to this (obviously a better chance) is daunting. Like I said before, I don't think I'm better than any other candidate. That's for them to decide. But, I know I blow away their 'qualifications', OTS. It just seems to me, the best way to differentiate between well qualified candidates would be a good old fashioned sit down interview.
 
SeanyO said:
Well, like I said previously, I think it depends where you applied. Also, did you, by chance tour your desired facility?
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Yes, I toured the facility twice, and I've gotten to know an ATM, and a couple of supervisors, pretty well. Also, it just so happened that the facility offered a special program to the public that allowed participants to plug-in with controllers as they worked traffic: (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/artcc/chicago/raincheck/).
 
SeanyO said:
Of course there is! It's not about whining, being jealous, or any other ing or ous you can use to describe someone. Fact. The process is inherently flawed. I think a proper "review panel" that vets people correctly could viably interview hundreds of well qualified candidates, therefore making informed decision on accepting certain candidates over others. Even the godforsaken census inteviews thousands of candidates for crew leaders prior to an offer. Same process too- civil service test, wait, interview, wait.

I am in no way saying anyone on this board is a "bumbling" idiot. Honestly, if you're on here, you must really want the position in the first place. I'm just fuming over the fact that I can't physically speak to anyone in this process. At the very least, I'd like to interview. I know I blow away any of the FAA's "qualifications", especially OTS. So that reason alone is why I am here posting bitterly about the process. It's extremely discouraging to apply for a position, that you know you can excel at, six times, and not hear a peep from the organization.
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There are flaws in pretty much every hiring system. The process is long and drawn-out as it is. Trying to interview every potential new hire across the nation would make the hiring process 10x slower. You say some people are just good test takers and they could be bumbling idiots...but there are some pretty scary people that are really good in interviews as well, and the quality of the interviewee depends on the perception of the interviewer. I'm not doubting your right to be bitter about the process, it frustrates me immensely to see people with inside contacts that have used their networking to give themselves an advantage over other OTS applicants, but just like any application process, you are at the mercy of the company (or agency) doing the hiring.
 
DLI1314,

Thanks for clarifying about using FAA folks' names. I did not realize that other threads had been reposted by mods to place initials in the place of full names. From now on, I will obide by all government agencies policy of assigning letters to words in a chain to thouroughly confuse the heck out of everyone. I am pretty sure the FAA invented: LOL, TTYL, ROFL, or KMMFA:sarcasm:

UTAMAV:bandit::D
 
dli1314 said:
it frustrates me immensely to see people with inside contacts that have used their networking to give themselves an advantage over other OTS applicants
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I find it hard to believe that anyone with inside contacts would have much of an advantage over other OTS applicants. I mean, Knowing someone is not going to help you score well on the AT-SAT. The only advantage I can think of is possibly getting inside info about what facilities are in need for their Geo Prefs. But, even then you still are up against a lot of other WQ candidates when you go to the panels.
 
dli1314 said:
There are flaws in pretty much every hiring system. The process is long and drawn-out as it is. Trying to interview every potential new hire across the nation would make the hiring process 10x slower. You say some people are just good test takers and they could be bumbling idiots...but there are some pretty scary people that are really good in interviews as well, and the quality of the interviewee depends on the perception of the interviewer. I'm not doubting your right to be bitter about the process, it frustrates me immensely to see people with inside contacts that have used their networking to give themselves an advantage over other OTS applicants, but just like any application process, you are at the mercy of the company (or agency) doing the hiring.
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You highlight some excellent points! However, it's also important to not downplay that significance of building relationships ("networking"). It's immensely important to have a thorough understanding of the people and the environment that one would encounter in a new job, and this knowledge is gained primarily through meeting those already involved in the job. At the same time, I understand your frustration if there are those who could care less about the job, but get an opportunity just because they know someone. But don't worry, they'll wash out eventually. In the end, though, I like to think that we are not at the complete mercy of a particular agency, company, or group of people. We must take the initiative and be responsible for our own outcomes.
 
:D
Land_Of_Gold said:
You highlight some excellent points! However, it's also important to not downplay that significance of building relationships ("networking"). It's immensely important to have a thorough understanding of the people and the environment that one would encounter in a new job, and this knowledge is gained primarily through meeting those already involved in the job. At the same time, I understand your frustration if there are those who could care less about the job, but get an opportunity just because they know someone. But don't worry, they'll wash out eventually. In the end, though, I like to think that we are not at the complete mercy of a particular agency, company, or group of people. We must take the initiative and be responsible for our own outcomes.
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Networking is key with most careers, and I see no problem with touring a facility and getting to know the people at a facility you'd like to work at. That's just good strategy. I was referring to people who know someone (friend, relative, or friend of a friend) involved in the selection process. I should have been more specific :)

I find it hard to believe that anyone with inside contacts would have much of an advantage over other OTS applicants. I mean, Knowing someone is not going to help you score well on the AT-SAT. The only advantage I can think of is possibly getting inside info about what facilities are in need for their Geo Prefs. But, even then you still are up against a lot of other WQ candidates when you go to the panels.
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how would knowing someone involved in the selection process not help you get selected? You have to do your part by scoring WQ on the AT-SAT, after that having someone on the inside would definitely help.

DLI1314,

Thanks for clarifying about using FAA folks' names. I did not realize that other threads had been reposted by mods to place initials in the place of full names. From now on, I will obide by all government agencies policy of assigning letters to words in a chain to thouroughly confuse the heck out of everyone. I am pretty sure the FAA invented: LOL, TTYL, ROFL, or KMMFA:sarcasm:

UTAMAV:bandit::D
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Do you understand where I'm coming from though? These people are overworked as it is, and exponentially increasing the volume of phone calls going to them is going to do nothing but slow down the process for everyone.

On another note...
You know your agency has too many acronyms when you have an entire website dedicated to them...

https://employees.faa.gov/acronyms/ And that's only 782 of them. I'm sure there are more.:panic:
 
Just an update.

I just received my e-mail with all the PEPC info and forms to fill out and fax in. The PEPC will be at the Great Lakes Regional office mentioned before.
 
Just got mine as well.

Question:
On the 8500 application what class of medical certificate are we applying for? 1st, 2nd? or 3rd?
 
PrincessintheTower said:
Here is my advice to you, take it for what its worth...

If you REALLY want this job and are not getting picked up of any PUBNATS, think about enrolling in a CTI school.
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LOL good luck with that... I went CTI, graduated with a 4.0, top of my class, got a 98.9 on my AT-SAT, and have been a pilot since 1998 with my license since August 2003. I still have not received my email. Perhaps there are more coming, but being CTI doesnt necessarily mean you get a darn thing.
 
God-speed said:
Just got mine as well.

Question:
On the 8500 application what class of medical certificate are we applying for? 1st, 2nd? or 3rd?
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I know the ATC medical is the equivalent of a 2nd class, but I don't know if that's what you mark on this one.
 
jcpilot said:
I know the ATC medical is the equivalent of a 2nd class, but I don't know if that's what you mark on this one.
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Is it me or is the 8500 pdf not allowing you to actually fill out the blanks on the form? The QF306 allows it to be done.

As mentioned earlier, I printed the 8500 form and man is it small. I don't know how well it will come out when faxed over.

What is everyong going to do, fax it or email it?
 
God-speed said:
Is it me or is the 8500 pdf not allowing you to actually fill out the blanks on the form? The QF306 allows it to be done.


Also what is everyong going to do, fax it or email it?
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The 8500 that was e-mailed to us is merely a scanned copy of the 8500. The real 8500 has 2 carbon copies attached. You're going to have to fill this one out by hand.

I will be faxing mine, I think. That way, you get an actual confirmation that your message was received.
 
bigshawnie said:
please go back and read my post in this thread it will clear up any confusion.

You are applying for a class 2 medical.

You should not fax in the 8500, when you get to the PEPC you will fill out a carbon copy form of the 8500. Just print the form out and have it filled out so you can just transfer it to the Carbon copy at the PEPC.
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The e-mail we just got says that we SHOULD fax in the 8500.

"We are attaching three forms to complete:

· FAA Form 8500-8, Application for Airman Medical Certificate. Please disregard the statement “Sample – Not Authorized for Official Use.”
· OF 306, Declaration for Federal Employment
· DOT form 1631, Disclosure and Authorization Pertaining to Consumer Reports Pursuant to the Fair Credit Report Act

You must complete these documents immediately. Either submit them by fax to ###-###-#### or email to"

Maybe having this info in advance will help them speed up clearances.... :rawk:
 
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