transition to the darkside?

[808pilot]

i know this is crazy talk... and i accept full responsibility but... does anyone know anyone or have info on making a move to the FAA? just curious at this point... not applying tomorrow or anything... just doing some research on whether its a good fit or not.... be gentle...

 

[get2flyin]

Got a buddy who got hired by them while on furlough. If you like 9-5, office bureaucracy, and TONS of paperwork...this might be the job for you. He will be in recall ground school in about a month. A year was all he could tolerate...but I think he actually did kinda like a lot of it.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

A friend of mine did the swap also. He was a computer genius. He went there and did something with their flight department, I don't believe flightcheck, or ILS checking, but something flying around. I haven't heard from him since, so maybe it's ok.

 

[Wesb737fo]

According to a friend of mine in the Certificate Management office at UAL/CO, these jobs are a lot harder to get these days. He got in right after 9-11 as a safety inspector and moved into the certificate mgt end after a few years. He makes about 130k and has the typical GS perks. Get2flyn said it. You have to love doing paperwork but it is a stable 9 to 5 job. He tried to talk me into it a few years ago but I loathe doing TPS reports. Nothing wrong with doing it if you're ready to trade the glamorous life of a line pilot for the office.

 

[skywav8r]

Buddy of mine just started at $115,000. Bailed on the sinking ship they call Comair. Good move if you ask me. He's living where he wants, gets paid well, and his wife is happy too.

 

[Always deferred]

I made the move in 2006. Spent 4 years at HQ as GA Ops Inspector. Great money, lots of interesting work, great connections. Friends who are field inspectors have it good too. They do investigations, checkrides, POI work (they get typed on different equip) etc.

There are lots of opportunities to move around in the FAA and pretty much live where you want. They also offer flex schedules (work 9 hr days and take every other Friday off). It's a great move especially if you are interested in safety work.

 

[Always deferred]

TPS reports aren't so bad when they pay you $115K to do them and you get your weekends/holidays/evenings off...

 

[808pilot]

thanks guys... good stuff... my local fsdo is short on guys i guess and i might have an in... i think it would be as an inspector... i'm not a big paperwork guy but the idea of having something steady and being home is intriguing...
currently flying part 135 jet outfit which is great but i only get paid when i fly... feast or famine.... THE airline here is very competitive... i'll keep doing my homework... thanks again for the responses...

 

[Always deferred]

The paperwork isn't that bad. Don't let people who haven't had the job tell you what it's like. Like any job there is paperwork, but if you're organized and can write well, you'll have no issue.

 

[Ticker]

Pm me.

 

[JAFI]

After multiple bankruptcies I made the switch a while back. There is paperwork but it is to support and record the work you do. There is more reading and approval of company’s manuals, approval of training and procedures, and just about everything with 1 to 10 percent flying depending on job.

Much depends on the office you get hired at. Find out if the Inspectors like their bosses. If they hate them or would really not like to talk about it - look elsewhere.

Most weekends and holidays off. Some night and weekend work but you plan your own schedule and pick your own hotels. AND the paycheck comes every two weeks.

 

[IBNAV8R]

Heard there is some telecommuting allowed. This might be kinda sweet. Is it true?

 

[808pilot]

i'm shocked that here on FI there hasn't been any bashing on this topic... you guys feeling ok?
thanks to all have given me there input... helps a lot... i know the guy in charge of our local fsdo and he is a pretty nice guy... though i only really know him in social settings... seems to me that the faa is a safe bet for job security (i've been through the furlough/ bankruptcy)...

 

[fullforward]

I made the jump 6 months ago, so far no regrets at all. Like somebody else said, if you like being home with your wife and kids and having a stable job then this is a great place. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[BeeVee]

PM me if you would like more info about being a "flight check" pilot in the FAA

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I'm curious how you guys kept up with the online application for the FAA. I filled out a few and found them cumbersome to say the least. I haven't gone back in to update them because I found them so onerous. Any tips to be moved to the top of the pile?

 

[Ticker]

I'm curious how you guys kept up with the online application for the FAA. I filled out a few and found them cumbersome to say the least. I haven't gone back in to update them because I found them so onerous.

Agreed. Initially, completing the app is a real PITA! Once done though, it's not a big deal to update every 3-6 months.

Any tips to be moved to the top of the pile?

Not really, you're one fish in a sea of literally thousands.

If you have anyone you know at your FSDO, make sure they know you've applied. There are no Letters of Recomendation anymore...it's all online. The FSDO or whichever office is posting the position does have some input on who is selected to interview. If you're a veteran, your app gets bonus points. If you're a wounded warrior, bonus points again.

That's the best you can hope for.

You can expect it to take a minimum of 6 months for your app to make it through the system. I have heard of some going quicker but they're few and far between.

PM me if you like.