Rotten fsdo employees

[CUEBOAT]

I went to the FLL fsdo today to get my goldseal. What an ordeal. It took almost 2 hours. the man who didn't introduce himslef to me, was just a prick. He throw my 8710 back at me because it wasn't signed. The reason it wasn't signed was because he snatched out of my hand before I could sign it. He then started asking me questions as if I was on a checkride. He also was questioning if I was an Instructor at all, he didn't believe I had actually endorsed the amount of applicants in the amount of time that I've been instructing.He then took all my paper work behind a door. An hour and 45 minutes later, He then came out with no explanation and asked what flight school I worked for and if we had an approved 141 course. What does this have to do with me obtaining my goldseal? 5 mins later he came out and gave me goldseal like everything was peachy. How about some compensation for the 2 hours I lost sitting in your office. Avoid the FLL fsdo like the plaugue if you can help it. Completely unprofessional.

 

[EMBATP]

those who can't fly; teach
those who can't teach; work for the FAA

 

[EMcx2]

About a month ago, FAA Inspectors were red tagging aircraft ......

In Freeport, The Bahammas!!!! I kid you not.

You can see it now... A couple of bitter, over the hill inspectors decide they need a vacation...paid vacation... and justify it by writing tickets.

 

[KINGAIR PIC]

Just remember.......they are here to help us.

 

[banned username 2]

If you had to work 40 hours a week in some nasty old office with a bunch of miserable government employees you'd be a prick too...

 

[WrightAvia]

It's not just FSDO. Spend some time down at the Social Security office or DMV. I just spent seven months waiting for some BATF paperwork to come through that shouldn't have taken as long as a few weeks.

I think the government workers have come to think we work for them.

 

[Dominicinco]

funny thing, our government.. They hire the worst people for some of the most important jobs, ie. DMV and Social Security like mentioned above, Post Office, Transit Workers, TSA!!!
I mean, how save are we with these documents when we have tools running the show... retarded

 

[bobbysamd]

Orlando FSDO

He . . . was questioning if I was an Instructor at all, he didn't believe I had actually endorsed the amount of applicants in the amount of time that I've been instructing . . . . He then came out with no explanation and asked what flight school I worked for and if we had an approved 141 course . . . . Avoid the FLL fsdo like the plaugue if you can help it. Completely unprofessional.

I read and reread your story because I thought you were writing about the Orlando FSDO. Your experience almost mirrored my "experience" renewing my CFI at that fine facility eleven years ago.

I had resigned my FlightSafety job for a new job. My CFI still had several months left, but I wanted to renew it in Florida because I knew that FSI was known to them as opposed to some FSDO in California where I was moving.

I had always renewed my CFI in Scottsdale. Always brought in my prepared 8710 and logbook, which contained my pass/fail record. Never a single problem with those fine, courteous and professional folks. It and the Oklahoma City FSDO had been my only FSDO experiences; the OKC FSDO was always great. I even recorded a narration for the Aviation Safety Counselor there. So, I came to believe that all FSDOs were similarly courteous and professional.

How wrong I was. I went to Orlando with my usual records. I walk in, and I am greeted by an inspector. I was asked why I wanted to renew so far ahead of time. She wanted to know on what basis I was renewing and said that renewals based on activity were not automatic - which was news to me. She asked if I was a full-time instructor. She asked if I had an FSI business card. FSI never gave me business cards. She then demanded the phone number for FSI. I was really given the third degree. I never, ever, suffered such an interrogation during the two previous times I renewed in Scottsdale, one of which being my Gold Seal.

I asked why she needed to know all these things. She apparently interpreted this as resistance because she then threatened to 609 (709) me. I never, ever was threatened with a 609. That really scared me because I had accepted another job and was getting ready to move and would not have access to airplanes.

She expressed doubts about the veracity of my pass/fail record in my logbook. At that time it hadn't been as good as it had been, but was still better than 80%. Some busts were actually 141 stage check failures, which would never appear in records anyway; I still counted certification stage checks as FAA rides. I was made to wait; then she finally returned with my Temporary - apparently after she called FSI. I rushed out. I then stopped in Melbourne and decided to look at my Temporary. My CFI number had been typed wrong! So, I drove all the way back to Orlando, and was greeted by another inspector was in on my initial appearance. He gave a "why is this guy back" look. He corrected my ticket by hand. All in all, it was a perfectly horrible experience.

And, it was the last time I went to a FSDO to renew. I had a friend who was an ASI in a different FSDO. She offered to renew me based on acquaintance. By that time I wasn't flying, but I still took her up on her offer. She had apologized to me earlier for my terrible Orlando experience - and it wasn't even her FSDO!

Whatever you do, stay away from the Orlando FSDO.

 

[canadflyau]

If you had to work 40 hours a week in some nasty old office with a bunch of miserable government employees you'd be a prick too...

Oh the stresses of 9-4 with a "gov hour" lunchbreak..

40hrs lol

 

[outflying1]

And just remember, the above listed people working the old grind of 40hrs a week, are home every night, have better benefits and make more money than us. Well, maybe I shouldn't say "us" in general.....anyone makes more money than a Regional Pilot.

I'LL SAY THIS UNTIL I DIE, IF YOU GUYS AT THE REGIONALS KEEP SIGNING SUBSTANDARD CONTRACTS, WE AT THE REGIONALS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE SUBSTANDARD LIVES....STAND UP AND GET A BACKBONE AND TELL THE COMPANY CEO'S TO F-OFF.

 

[bobbysamd]

ASI benies

And just remember, the above listed people working the old grind of 40hrs a week, are home every night, have better benefits and make more money than us.

Not to mention all federal holidays off, and paid-for training and upgrading for advanced certificates. It is axiomatic that whenever possible someone other than you should pay for your ratings; nothing like having Uncle Sam do it.

Valuable in-service personal development training.

Further, as I understand, no hassles for taking sick time. You can even lose your medical and remain employed, though, of course, you can't fly.

I do understand, though, that there is always a "duty" ASI in every FSDO for weekends and holidays, and they are called out during off-hours.

I won't mention jumpseat privileges. So many feds abuse them.

What a job! What a country!

Seriously, there are tons of pilots who are beating down the doors trying to get on the ASI registry.

 

[CUEBOAT]

"Its just a tool of the organization perpertrated by the man to hold me down. "

I am going to refer to the FAA as " the man" from now on. For the hour and 45mins that I was sitting in the ofice, "the man" was more than likely looking for something to say sorry I can't issue your gold seal. I bet he was doing all types of backround checks on me.

 

[XGmaninGA]

Well, not all FSDOs are like your FLL experience. I never had a problem in BWI or IAD. Just recently, I renewed mine in ATL. It was a very quick and courteous experience. The inspector told me when I upgrade to Captain, I won't even need to do one of those FIRCS. Since one of a captains duties is to TRAIN F/Os to be captains, that counts under the criteria for renewal.

 

[DCitrus9]

xgamin, who do you fly for? I tried to renew in ATL 5 months ago and was told they will only do ASA Captains. I had to do the online course,what a waste!

 

[prodigal]

A couple of years ago when I became eligible for my Gold Seal I called my local FSDO to make an appointment. They then began to query me on all the requirements, to which I answered in the affirmative. Then he asked me if I were a 2-year CFI. (At that time I wasn't). Uh, no, sir. Well then you don't meet the requirements.
Those of you who are Gold Seals are probably laughing by now. As you know the regs only say that all the requiremnts must have been accomplished within the preceeding 24 months. NOTHING about having been a CFI for 24 months.
I had to go to a different FSDO, who, BTW, gave it to me with no problem and with courtesy.
FSDOs are like a box of chocolates. . . you never know what you'll get.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Re: Orlando FSDO

Whatever you do, stay away from the Orlando FSDO.

Thanks for the warning Bobby. So far my interaction has been OK but my stuff has been easy to deal with stuff.

From WrightAvia:
"I think the government workers have come to think we work for them."

Yes, and it continues to get worse.

 

[frank rizzo]

The Fort Liquordale FSDO is nothing but a bunch of good ole boys passing time, they never come over and audit our airline, and let me tell you its a good thing if they did they would close the doors asap. If only the public knew !

 

[XGmaninGA]

DCitrus9,

I'm a fellow 717 driver at AirTran. Maybe different inspectors have different opinions. The one I talked to was very helpful. I told him I flew for AirTran. He basically said that being a 121 Captain fits the "duties and responsibities" requirement. The pertinent requirement is in everybody's FOM.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

those who can't fly; teach those who can't teach; work for the FAA

lets change the word FAA with FSDO.

I work for the FAA and I flew professionaly and now control. Being an FAA employee I gotta disagree with that quote.

 

[AZaviator]

Scottsdale FSDO

I had an experience similar to Bobbysamd's experience with the Scottsdale FSDO over a year in getting my gold seal CFI. Long story short, I was in and out in less than 30 mins with my gold seal certificate. I had all my paperwork and certificates with me which made the experience go well. The inspector and secretary were both really cool and laid back. I wasn't expecting it to be as easy and laid back as it was.

It seems like it definetly just depends on the office you go to.