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New Controller Facility Placement

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JonnyKnoxville

JonnyKnoxville

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2004
Posts
439
How does the FAA place new controllers? I have been told you can request from 1 to 5 states and then they choose where you will be based depending on current vacancies.

Someone else told me all new controllers go to centers because that is where they have the resources to train the newbies.

Is this information correct?
 
Centers, TRACONs, and Towers. They are all hurting and you can end up anywhere they need you.

Example...Orlando Tower/TRACON is supposed to have 75 controllers....they have about 54...and will lose a bunch more shortly. They've gotten some CTI students. Can take 2+ years to get certified....so, they are in for a world of hurt over there. Way to go FAA, staffing is totally under control!
 
hate to sound bleak....but with the FAA's current management policy of keeping facilities understaffed and B-scale pay + ATCs retiring in large amounts this is a recipe for disaster. Hence, do not work for the FAA.
 
Flightjock30 said:
hate to sound bleak....but with the FAA's current management policy of keeping facilities understaffed and B-scale pay + ATCs retiring in large amounts this is a recipe for disaster. Hence, do not work for the FAA.
Click to expand...
Yep, an airline career is a much better route.

The only time ATC pay was "really high" was from about 98-03...its still a pretty damn good job.

Its a virtually guaranteed job, with great job security, a very good pension, and good pay.

You get a level 12 out of training and you are set...
 
It could go either way. I know someone who got hired into an airport in Idaho making just below six-figures. Another was hired into a center and is making training pay (around 38k).
 
The "B" scale is $31,800 plus cost of living % until you are certified.

The only salary above $100,000 is the maximum Level 12 at $104,000, before cost of living and overtime. Level 11 is $95,000 I think.

So basically...if you get into a Level 11 or 12 facility you are in good shape....if you end up in a Level 5 Tower...meh....
 
the new "B" scale will pay you $31,900 once you graduate from the academy at OKC. From there you will get pay increases based on the % of training completed. If a person was expecting to make 100k at xyx tower fully checked out, they would start out making 31900. once they complete 25% of total positions at that facility, you will get a small raise. then 50%, 75% then eventually CPC where you will finally get that 100k.


unfortunately there aren't many facilities that will pay you 100k fully checked out under this new B scale. Fully checked out at a level 11 facility will only pay you 67k plus locality. A level 12 is only about 6 grand more.
 
DLconnection said:
the new "B" scale will pay you $31,900 once you graduate from the academy at OKC. From there you will get pay increases based on the % of training completed. If a person was expecting to make 100k at xyx tower fully checked out, they would start out making 31900. once they complete 25% of total positions at that facility, you will get a small raise. then 50%, 75% then eventually CPC where you will finally get that 100k.


unfortunately there aren't many facilities that will pay you 100k fully checked out under this new B scale. Fully checked out at a level 11 facility will only pay you 67k plus locality. A level 12 is only about 6 grand more.
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And like I said, once you reach the top of the scale (after so many years of federal service) you max at 104k level 12 and 85 or 95k level 11 (i dont remember which).
 
I have a friend who is coming right out of the Navy and got hired on with ZID center. He said he will have to start out at that 31,900 but like you all have said as he gets his qualifications his pay will increase. After attaining all his qualifications he will be making a cool 6+ figures. Not bad at all.
 
I think prior federal/military service counts towards your pay level. So someone just out of college with no federal service starts at the bottom, but someone with federal or military service takes their pay grade with them...so after they get through training, they jump from 31,900 to whatever their pay grade dictates. I think.
 
The FAA's new management policy is a bunch of crap and word on the streets now is they are going to start shutting down the smaller facilities. I got in Sept 03 so I'm still on the B scale making an excellent living but the management crap isn't worth it. With the new pay scale, new hires aren't even showing up to the academy or their facilities.....And the FAA keeps lying over and over saying we aren't having a staffing crisis. As for the bids for placement. You pick a region or two, and they will stick you where they need you. Most likely enroute now but I've heard people going to Orlando and Daytona which is a recipe for failure. New hires going to busy facilites with combined tracon/tower really doesn't give them time to get skills before they start working there .... off!
 
I know Orlando is getting CTI grads...not sure about Daytona. I'll ask around.

But that makes me real comfortable...Riddle CTI grads going across the airport right into the tower. :| Fun times ahead....
 
It sure would be nice if they would raise the max age. I'm 5 yrs past the cutoff age but have 8 yrs military ATC experience. As crappy as FAA ATC may be now it's much better than an aircraft dispatcher job. Trust me.
 
How much attrition is due to retirement vs. phony disability retirements like hearing loss and nightmares?

I only ask because I remember years ago some company was stupid enough to offer disability insurance to ATC's then all of sudden I hear of people at Hampton/ATL conveniently sicking out in the years before retirement after they took out multiple loans on cars and boats. I even know of one dumbarse that claimed hearing loss in his last year of retirement because he knew an audiologist but unfortunately for him he passed the insurance companies hearing exam and had to finish his time.

I would think $160K+ per year plus a 20 year retirement would be enough not to commit insurance fraud but I guess you can't please everybody.
 
Alright looks like im the only one here who is actually in the ATC profession and has done the acacemy routine recently.

I was hired as a CTI, non prior federal service, into the Academy in Sept of 06. I hired to a level 12 Tower (just tower, not an up/down or a TRACON).

Pay through the Academy was $18,000. When I got to my facitlity, I went to "AG" (Academy Grad) pay. This is $31,700 + Locality increase. (For me is 26%).

Once I check out on 25% of the positions, I will go to "D1" which is in the neighborhood of $50k after locality. Then D2...D3....till im fully checked out.

Once i reach FPL ("Full Performance Level"....formerly called 'CPC' or Certified Professional Controller) I will go to the Level 12 base salary of 78,000 (give or take) + my 26% locality pay for my location.

So im 21 years old at the moment, making more than many mainline F/O's. When I check out, I will make more than many captains.


-ATCT
Pilot, ATC
(Note: My background is piloting, all my friends are commercial pilots, I changed in college to ATC instead of Pro Pilot major)
 
Lrjtcaptain said:
The FAA's new management policy is a bunch of crap and word on the streets now is they are going to start shutting down the smaller facilities. I got in Sept 03 so I'm still on the B scale making an excellent living but the management crap isn't worth it. With the new pay scale, new hires aren't even showing up to the academy or their facilities.....And the FAA keeps lying over and over saying we aren't having a staffing crisis. As for the bids for placement. You pick a region or two, and they will stick you where they need you. Most likely enroute now but I've heard people going to Orlando and Daytona which is a recipe for failure. New hires going to busy facilites with combined tracon/tower really doesn't give them time to get skills before they start working there .... off!
Click to expand...

Yea the new policy is crap, but its still a great job.

You no longer choose regions, you choose 5 states.


Regarding Academy no-shows...yea I know alot of people who are going to Lockheed for the little less pay, but better benefits and possibly better work environment.

Anywho yea ive had some downers with teh FAA so far, but hey, im 21 making good money living in a great appt and driving a new car. All while saving money on teh side. Life's great!

ATCT
 
Let us know when you get those D# pay increases. Some facilities get you through quick, others are slower than snails. Many new hires at ZDC (those I know graduated end of '06) are taking second jobs!!
 
FrozenPilot said:
Let us know when you get those D# pay increases. Some facilities get you through quick, others are slower than snails. Many new hires at ZDC (those I know graduated end of '06) are taking second jobs!!
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I know its northern Virginia, but you should still be able to live on $32,000 + COL%...if you can't, you prolly just need to adjust your lifestyle.
 
gkrangers said:
I know its northern Virginia, but you should still be able to live on $32,000 + COL%...if you can't, you prolly just need to adjust your lifestyle.
Click to expand...

Leesburg is pretty farkin' expensive...1,000+/mo for a decent one bedroom apartment. If you've got any kind of large debt payments (credit cards, student loans, cars, etc) it wouldn't be easy...
 
BoilerUP said:
Leesburg is pretty farkin' expensive...1,000+/mo for a decent one bedroom apartment. If you've got any kind of large debt payments (credit cards, student loans, cars, etc) it wouldn't be easy...
Click to expand...
Didn't realize even LEesburg would be that bad...theres always further south and west in the boonies. :D
 
gkrangers said:
I think prior federal/military service counts towards your pay level. So someone just out of college with no federal service starts at the bottom, but someone with federal or military service takes their pay grade with them...so after they get through training, they jump from 31,900 to whatever their pay grade dictates. I think.
Click to expand...

Myth. My brother is former Military ATC, now DOD. Wants to move back to MN so unfortunately he has to switch to FAA. He's putting in his application in a week or so. He heard from a friend that you keep your pay so he checked into it. Turns out they treat you like any other newbie, despite his years of experience.

What are the chances that he'll get MN? I'm assuming it'd be ARTCC. He'd prefer a tower position though. Do you have to work you're way into a tower like STP or MSP? Anyone have any tips or suggestions how my bro can get where back to MN?
 
IHateMgmt said:
Myth. My brother is former Military ATC, now DOD. Wants to move back to MN so unfortunately he has to switch to FAA. He's putting in his application in a week or so. He heard from a friend that you keep your pay so he checked into it. Turns out they treat you like any other newbie, despite his years of experience.

What are the chances that he'll get MN? I'm assuming it'd be ARTCC. He'd prefer a tower position though. Do you have to work you're way into a tower like STP or MSP? Anyone have any tips or suggestions how my bro can get where back to MN?
Click to expand...
They probably need controllers at all of those places. But its a crapshoot if he gets a Terminal or Center slot...

If you get a Center, I think you pretty much stay there. Terminal is easier to transfer around....from what I've heard.
 
Yes, Leesburg (anywhere in NoVA) is expensive. Add college loans from a bachelors degree at a CTI school, and its anywhere from tight to impossible to live on. Getting rid of the B-scale pay would make a huge difference, it'd be worth about $42k/yr at ZDC, at least thats what her initial offer was before she got the B-scale.

Lemme put it this way, thank god I'm not a regional f/o.
 

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