After sleeping on it, I don't know that I am going to fully believe the January panels bit just yet. Not until I hear verification from better sources, at least.
If it's true, then it makes this process more akin to the pyramid theory than I had originally imagined. The amount of applicants they'd lose during the extra few-months wait would be significant -- though perhaps, all of us on this forum are serious enough about this position to wait, the average Joe/Jane is NOT. They've already paid for each of our ATSATs at $300 a pop, so if they have many "casualties", they'll have lost money on us. Then again, my old state university spent hundreds of thousands on a marble fountain system and stadium lights while an incredible, donated 40' telescope sat in our physics/astronomy dept. basement, because no one would pay $5,000 to set it up properly, so such decisions aren't always the most intuitive.
I wonder if someone heard the panel date for PUBNAT4 (as January) and has been reciting it as gospel to others. Perhaps, that is where this "rumor" began. If you count according to the timeline, it would be identical to that of PUBNAT1/2, from when their announcement closed. Just an idea.
Also, I was told vaguely of the latest issues with the FAA...and how they're now contracting out training. If they're waiting for bids, etc., then it is possible that this is responsible for the delay.
It cannot be financial, seeing as this is the beginning of the fiscal year, and they should be hiring the MOST of us now!
Does anyone remember the particular reason why those from 2007 had to wait a good six months in their process? I know it was before they took their AT-SATs, but after they were selected to take it. I believe they applied in July, and had to wait until February...?
