FAA Not hiring new controllers!!?!?

[LateFreight]

Can you say 'Privatization'?

ATC privatization is a BAAAAAAAAAAD idea... It's found as one of the main causes in the mid-air between a DHL 757 and the Bashkirian Tu-154 in 2002.

 

[LateFreight]

I have two friends who have passed the ATC test earlier this year adn the FAA told them that they will start hiring in Sept.... Now I am not one to belive anything that FAA promises, but for what it's worth, that's where FAA stands - just check out their "jobs" section on their website.

 

[ATCER]

Do you think the FAA will stick to that 2006 ? With the situation of controllers retiring do you think they might turn that around earlier than 2006?

There is now way to know... the rumor mill changes daily. I have heard from a very good source that the FAA Eastern Region is hiring 6 people come Sept/Oct and that might be it for FY 05'. Keep in mind, the Administator (Blakey) went before congress and testified that we are overstaffed, and at few places this might be the case. (small facilites where guys are waiting out retirement, etc.) Your big places are the ones that are short, most of the Centers and approach controls in big cities like New York, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, are badly understaffed.

Most Enroute and TRACON trainees washout and get sent to towers anyways. So certify at the tower and work traffic there for a year or two. Then request a transfer to an enroute or TRACON facility (I also believe you can choose WHICH radar facility you want to tranfer to after this point as long as there are openings). Good luck.

Right now EVERYTHING is on hold... there is no movement inside the FAA. No hiring, transfers, nothing. Even area of specialty swaps within facilites seem to be moving at a very slow pace.

I think part of the problem with the lack of hiring is from the controllers. They look at a typical shift that we complained was short staffed. We start the day below numbers, then have 2 sick leaves and on top of that someone detailed for some project, but in the 8 hour shift we'll push all the traffic, handle swap, emergencies, military ops, train people, and anything else thrown our way. At the end of the day the FAA looks at it and says... "they don't need anyone, we just have to crack down on the sick leaves !" ... This is the logic we deal with on a daily basis.

Keep in mind that is cheaper to pay someone OT then hire someone new, that is a fact in any line of work. I'm not gonna lie, the 6 days weeks are tough at times but the $$$ from the OT is nice. BUT... we are getting so streched that some days half the shift is there on OT and there is not 1 person left to call in. IMHO they WILL have to hire in the next 2-3 years, I can't see how they can't. My only advice is to hang in there, myself and others on this board will try and keep everyone updated with whatever we hear.

 

[BoilerUP]

well the latest from the FAA and Natca is a no go fore hiring until 2006. The FAA cut alot of CTI's..Riddle's program is full, and so is Beavers. Its a sot ought job. Have a back up plan belive me!

What CTI programs were cut?

 

[Flightjock30]

What stinks about the FAA is the two-year hiring rule they place upon CTI program graduates. If you do not make it off the list within that time, you have just wasted all that money, time, and effort at a college for nothing! Thats a pretty big risk if u ask me. If you have a college degree in lets say business you can use it towards finding a job for life!

 

[pilotman2105]

www.atccti.com

Just ran across that today. Seems to be a fairly reputable site with some good information.