Which Facility and Why?

bippoptl · May 4th, 2008, 15:22

im startin this new thread so everyone can write down where they want to work and why....

I put in for NY (Long Island and Queens) because the facilities levels are high so ill get a good challenging job with good pay, and its close to home.

also put in for TX (Dallas and Houston) because they also have a good amount of high level facilities...so ill get the good pay, and the cost of living is MUCH MUCH less than here in NY...

JT ATC · May 4th, 2008, 15:28

I got Indy Center and I'm completely stoked. Exactly the location I wanted. I grew up in Indy, my dad works at that center (although it's probably a good thing that we won't work in the same area), all my friends are there, the cost of living is good and I'm a huge Colts fan. Plus the level 12 pay is always nice. I love a challenge.

SoonerATC · May 4th, 2008, 15:53

Funny. I was going to start a similar thread.

I put down OK and KS. I don't really have a preference as far as the OK facilities go - OKC is level 8 and TUL is level 9, though I've heard TUL might soon be downgraded to an 8 as well. There's also RVS, a VFR tower that's actually an 8 because it has a high traffic count due to Spartan School of Aeronautics being located there. I really enjoy commercial traffic though, so I'd prefer either OKC/TUL.

I want terminal only, so KS only leaves me with ICT. I have tons of family near there, plus it's also a level 9. Wichita is also home to Cessna, Beech, and Boeing, so there'd be a huge variety of aircraft to work with, in addition to military out of McConnell AFB.

nathanw · May 4th, 2008, 16:02

I put Washington and both types of facilities. I live in western WA and my wife and I don't want to move anywhere. I'm hoping for Seattle TRACON (10) or even SEA tower (9), but if they offer ZSE (10) I will certainly take it, since it's only 5 miles from my house

And, of course, it's across the street from an Indian casino, which is the only place in this state to get 24 hour beers. Coincidence?

Izak123 · May 4th, 2008, 16:02

I really want Phoenix Tower, it's a high level facility (11) and it's where I live. I want to get to a facility and stay there.

GeorgeM · May 4th, 2008, 16:13

I put in for California, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma. Missed out on California (damn!), but I was selected for all the rest. Denver seemed to be the best choice for me. Not enough hills and trees in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Redz245 · May 4th, 2008, 16:17

I got the email (to select my locations), and the website is finally up and running today, so I'm getting ready to set my preferences. My answer to the thread question is PA, b/c that's where I (and all my family & friends) live.
My question is should I select a 2nd preference? I would be willing to go someplace like, Florida or California, but would really prefer to stay here in Philadelphia. Any thoughts or suggestions anyone? If I pick only 1 location now, do you think I'd be able to go back (later) and select another, if I don't get referred for that state?

J-Dub · May 4th, 2008, 16:35

I applied for the Tennessee opening late last year, I wanted Nashville and that was what I was offered without asking.

I am currently working overseas as a contractor for KBR, went home on vacation and got all of my stuff done (physical, pyschological, etc). Got back here and said "What the heck are you doing?". I would making less than half of what I am now and having to pay for gas for a 100 drive there and back. Don't think so. So I emailed the FAA and told them that I was withdrawing my request for employment at this time. Have not heard one word from them since.

GQ007 · May 4th, 2008, 16:44

I limited my choice to terminal options only in New York (Queens) and New Jersey (Essex). Aviation is a true passion of mine and I figured if I am going to switch careers and take a pay cut, I might as well choose a location where I can truly see myself staying.

danivw909 · May 4th, 2008, 17:07

Im from Elizabeth, NJ about 5 mins from EWR and 20 mins from JFK and LGA. I made my primary choice NY with Suffolk, Queens and Nassau Counties and also listed Essex in there for EWR just hoping :-). Also chose FL - Hillsborough, Orange, Volusia and Miami Dade county!

Im just looking to stay with areas I know!

D
Might as well enjoy the Areas and the Job!

JT ATC · May 4th, 2008, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerATC

I want terminal only, so KS only leaves me with ICT. I have tons of family near there, plus it's also a level 9. Wichita is also home to Cessna, Beech, and Boeing, so there'd be a huge variety of aircraft to work with, in addition to military out of McConnell AFB.

I was stationed there for 4 years. Wichita gets pretty boring, but it's not that bad of a place.

slayer · May 4th, 2008, 18:16

I put Washington State and Oregon.

I'm from Washington State (Spokane) and most of my family lives in the state. I've been gone from the Pacific Northwest for 6 years and I'm ready to be moving back.

As for locations I really don't care where I go. There are a few locations I would prefer over others, but I'm not picky and I will take what I get.

Beehive · May 4th, 2008, 22:34

I'm hopefully headed to my most wanted location, Salt Lake City, waiting for FOL. Mostly in part because i'm a family man. I was willing to move anywhere to do ATC in the U.S. except Guam or Puerto Rico, but was fortunate enough to be chosen by Salt Lake City.

Narayan · May 5th, 2008, 00:43

Im from texas but i actually wanted the territories so since they are but small i wish they would have allowed you to pick all of them(ie i think the virgin islands only has 10 or 20 controllers). But i decided to play it safe and picked puerto rico, and texas. Im from DFW so thats obvious, but also south texas around corpus and north padre(i forget the name but its a county airport, jefforson i think). Screw the rest of it, but in all fairness ill take anything they offer. If they would have kept the anywhere option i would have taken it.

Orange_County_KSNA · May 5th, 2008, 02:42

California Only. Terminal Only.

Orange County was my primary choice.
Action packed airport that has a lot of challenges and a great ATC staff. I've grown up at this airport. Airliners, bizjets, cessnas, helos and warbirds mix it up all day long. Future home of the Orange Co. Warbird Museum. Nearly 600 aircraft based at the field. Shortest commercial jet runway in the USA (5,701 x 150). Imagine a FedEx A300 landing here - it happens every weekday afternoon. The famous John Wayne takeoff (Musel Six / Channel One departure) - max climb to 800 ft msl, abrupt level off, pull back the power to 75% for noise restrictions. Sunrise Aviation - one of the best flight schools in the wesern US. An expert ATC staff who have won awards for consecutive "incident free" years. A wide range of aircraft all crammed into 500 acres on two very short parallel runways. Action packed and a challenge.

Vortmax · May 5th, 2008, 08:15

I have already interviewed at Salt Lake Center from the June 07' listings, and then because I had not heard anything in February, I applied to that listing as well. So, I still got the email for geographic preferences but I don't think it matters as I have already interviewed for ZLC. I filled it out anyway just for kicks, and listed Utah and Alaska. If this process does not pick up some speed, I am going to take a job as an air quality scientist with the state or a National Weather Service job (which although is still govt. is much much quicker than the FAA). In 24 days, I will have applied 1 year ago!! Really wish I would have been invited to a PEPC. I was told that is not really an option for the Utah guys. Anyways, sorry to go off, but I chose Utah originally because I can be on a ski lift in 30 minutes from my house or have a fish on the end of my line is less than that. Great place.

10SM CLR · May 5th, 2008, 13:28

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice on the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands facility? I would like to put it as a geographic preference, but there are certainly a lot of considerations to make before persuing a position there.

Johnsc81 · May 5th, 2008, 15:07

1. KBOI (Boise, Id) - Close to home for me and I love the City and the Area.... Lots of rivers, and mountains. Great for fishing and skiiing and Hiking and climbing.....the list goes on and on........

2. ZLC - refer to Item 1 description....

What can I say, I love the mountains and the West.

SQuirell88 · May 5th, 2008, 16:49

If I don't get hired for South Carolina under the 2007 state announcement. I chose for my 2008 national announcement:
Terminals Only
1. Virginia-anywhere except Arlington county (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)
2. West Virginia-anywhere

I live in Columbia, SC, but been here 10yrs and lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for the first 16yrs of my life. I want stronger seasons, larger mountains, more wildnerness to explore but still close to family and not too far away from the redneck south, but hopefully still in a populated enough area to find a girl to marry.

JT ATC · May 5th, 2008, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10SM CLR

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice on the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands facility? I would like to put it as a geographic preference, but there are certainly a lot of considerations to make before persuing a position there.

Ya, there are only 7 positions there, all full, all tower, a low level facility and a high cost of living ( I have an uncle that lives down there). I wanted to put it on my list but then I found that out

10SM CLR · May 6th, 2008, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT ATC

Ya, there are only 7 positions there, all full, all tower, a low level facility and a high cost of living ( I have an uncle that lives down there). I wanted to put it on my list but then I found that out

Thanks for the info JT ATC. I would love to work there but it sounds like a long shot.

badbudda · May 6th, 2008, 08:05

Does anyone know anything about the Miami facility? I've read on google and in one of these threads the drop out rate is very high as well as training taking forever. There seems to be a lot of unhappy folks there and I'm curious as to why. I would like to stay in Florida and thinking of putting Miami as one of my locations.

10SM CLR · May 6th, 2008, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbudda

Does anyone know anything about the Miami facility? I've read on google and in one of these threads the drop out rate is very high as well as training taking forever. There seems to be a lot of unhappy folks there and I'm curious as to why. I would like to stay in Florida and thinking of putting Miami as one of my locations.

Ever heard of South Beach??? ... but seriously I was thinking of Miami too, but I think it'd be too difficult for me to balance work with pleasure down there!

Luftwaffe · May 6th, 2008, 11:34

I know alot of unhappy people that work at ZMA. I've been told it is one of the worst run and most sort handed centers, even for the current state of the FAA. Plus, from some one who lives here, you will not be able to afford to live the way people might think you can live in Miami, such as Miami Beach/South Beach. I know one of the supervisors at Miami Center said alot of people think it'll be great living in Miami, hitting South Beach, and than when they get here they realize they can't afford to live in what they thought would be paradise. You have to be making way over $100K to be living that life here.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/busines...ass/index.html

ATLTRACON · May 6th, 2008, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izak123

I really want Phoenix Tower, it's a high level facility (11) and it's where I live. I want to get to a facility and stay there.

Read...
http://themainbang.typepad.com/blog/2007/07/index.html

I want to retire and go to Baghdad TRACON

May 4th, 2008, 15:22	#1
bippoptl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Centereach, NY Posts: 84	Which Facility and Why? im startin this new thread so everyone can write down where they want to work and why.... I put in for NY (Long Island and Queens) because the facilities levels are high so ill get a good challenging job with good pay, and its close to home. also put in for TX (Dallas and Houston) because they also have a good amount of high level facilities...so ill get the good pay, and the cost of living is MUCH MUCH less than here in NY... __________________ 02/15/08 - OTS Aplicant 03/11/08 - Scheduled AT-SAT 04/01/08 - Took AT-SAT 04/02/08 - Well Qualified (96.3) 05/02/08 - Submitted Geo Pref. (NC,TX) 06/06/08 - Refferal List

May 4th, 2008, 15:28	#2
JT ATC Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Joseph, MO, Soon to be ZID Posts: 152	Re: Which Facility and Why? I got Indy Center and I'm completely stoked. Exactly the location I wanted. I grew up in Indy, my dad works at that center (although it's probably a good thing that we won't work in the same area), all my friends are there, the cost of living is good and I'm a huge Colts fan. Plus the level 12 pay is always nice. I love a challenge.

May 4th, 2008, 15:53	#3
SoonerATC Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: OKC Posts: 277	Re: Which Facility and Why? Funny. I was going to start a similar thread. I put down OK and KS. I don't really have a preference as far as the OK facilities go - OKC is level 8 and TUL is level 9, though I've heard TUL might soon be downgraded to an 8 as well. There's also RVS, a VFR tower that's actually an 8 because it has a high traffic count due to Spartan School of Aeronautics being located there. I really enjoy commercial traffic though, so I'd prefer either OKC/TUL. I want terminal only, so KS only leaves me with ICT. I have tons of family near there, plus it's also a level 9. Wichita is also home to Cessna, Beech, and Boeing, so there'd be a huge variety of aircraft to work with, in addition to military out of McConnell AFB.

May 4th, 2008, 16:02	#4
nathanw Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 358	Re: Which Facility and Why? I put Washington and both types of facilities. I live in western WA and my wife and I don't want to move anywhere. I'm hoping for Seattle TRACON (10) or even SEA tower (9), but if they offer ZSE (10) I will certainly take it, since it's only 5 miles from my house And, of course, it's across the street from an Indian casino, which is the only place in this state to get 24 hour beers. Coincidence?

May 4th, 2008, 16:02	#5
Izak123 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tempe Posts: 12	Re: Which Facility and Why? I really want Phoenix Tower, it's a high level facility (11) and it's where I live. I want to get to a facility and stay there.

May 4th, 2008, 16:13	#6
GeorgeM Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 100	Re: Which Facility and Why? I put in for California, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma. Missed out on California (damn!), but I was selected for all the rest. Denver seemed to be the best choice for me. Not enough hills and trees in Kansas and Oklahoma.

May 4th, 2008, 16:17	#7
Redz245 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 25	Re: Which Facility and Why? I got the email (to select my locations), and the website is finally up and running today, so I'm getting ready to set my preferences. My answer to the thread question is PA, b/c that's where I (and all my family & friends) live. My question is should I select a 2nd preference? I would be willing to go someplace like, Florida or California, but would really prefer to stay here in Philadelphia. Any thoughts or suggestions anyone? If I pick only 1 location now, do you think I'd be able to go back (later) and select another, if I don't get referred for that state?

May 4th, 2008, 16:35	#8
J-Dub Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lyles Posts: 12	Re: Which Facility and Why? I applied for the Tennessee opening late last year, I wanted Nashville and that was what I was offered without asking. I am currently working overseas as a contractor for KBR, went home on vacation and got all of my stuff done (physical, pyschological, etc). Got back here and said "What the heck are you doing?". I would making less than half of what I am now and having to pay for gas for a 100 drive there and back. Don't think so. So I emailed the FAA and told them that I was withdrawing my request for employment at this time. Have not heard one word from them since.

May 4th, 2008, 16:44	#9
GQ007 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 92	Re: Which Facility and Why? I limited my choice to terminal options only in New York (Queens) and New Jersey (Essex). Aviation is a true passion of mine and I figured if I am going to switch careers and take a pay cut, I might as well choose a location where I can truly see myself staying.

May 4th, 2008, 17:07	#10
danivw909 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 25	Re: Which Facility and Why? Im from Elizabeth, NJ about 5 mins from EWR and 20 mins from JFK and LGA. I made my primary choice NY with Suffolk, Queens and Nassau Counties and also listed Essex in there for EWR just hoping :-). Also chose FL - Hillsborough, Orange, Volusia and Miami Dade county! Im just looking to stay with areas I know! D Might as well enjoy the Areas and the Job!

May 4th, 2008, 18:16	#12
slayer Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 149	Re: Which Facility and Why? I put Washington State and Oregon. I'm from Washington State (Spokane) and most of my family lives in the state. I've been gone from the Pacific Northwest for 6 years and I'm ready to be moving back. As for locations I really don't care where I go. There are a few locations I would prefer over others, but I'm not picky and I will take what I get.

May 4th, 2008, 22:34	#13
Beehive Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 257	Re: Which Facility and Why? I'm hopefully headed to my most wanted location, Salt Lake City, waiting for FOL. Mostly in part because i'm a family man. I was willing to move anywhere to do ATC in the U.S. except Guam or Puerto Rico, but was fortunate enough to be chosen by Salt Lake City. __________________ OTS Apps 06/07 ATSAT 12/07 S56 Interview 03/08 OKC Basics 06/08

May 5th, 2008, 00:43	#14
Narayan Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 10	Re: Which Facility and Why? Im from texas but i actually wanted the territories so since they are but small i wish they would have allowed you to pick all of them(ie i think the virgin islands only has 10 or 20 controllers). But i decided to play it safe and picked puerto rico, and texas. Im from DFW so thats obvious, but also south texas around corpus and north padre(i forget the name but its a county airport, jefforson i think). Screw the rest of it, but in all fairness ill take anything they offer. If they would have kept the anywhere option i would have taken it. __________________ Applied ots announcement jan/atsat 92.9 ek dink awb is lekker, pretoria is pretoria.

May 5th, 2008, 02:42	#15
Orange_County_KSNA Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 22	Re: Which Facility and Why? California Only. Terminal Only. Orange County was my primary choice. Action packed airport that has a lot of challenges and a great ATC staff. I've grown up at this airport. Airliners, bizjets, cessnas, helos and warbirds mix it up all day long. Future home of the Orange Co. Warbird Museum. Nearly 600 aircraft based at the field. Shortest commercial jet runway in the USA (5,701 x 150). Imagine a FedEx A300 landing here - it happens every weekday afternoon. The famous John Wayne takeoff (Musel Six / Channel One departure) - max climb to 800 ft msl, abrupt level off, pull back the power to 75% for noise restrictions. Sunrise Aviation - one of the best flight schools in the wesern US. An expert ATC staff who have won awards for consecutive "incident free" years. A wide range of aircraft all crammed into 500 acres on two very short parallel runways. Action packed and a challenge. __________________ Applied OTS: 1/23/08 AT-SAT Select: 2/16/08 AT-SAT Test: 3/21/08 AT-SAT Result: 3/26/08 Applied OTS: 5/1/08 Geo Preferences: 5/4/08 Referral List: 6/6/08 Applied OTS: 6/20/08 Applied OTS: 7/18/08

May 5th, 2008, 08:15	#16
Vortmax Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 52	Re: Which Facility and Why? I have already interviewed at Salt Lake Center from the June 07' listings, and then because I had not heard anything in February, I applied to that listing as well. So, I still got the email for geographic preferences but I don't think it matters as I have already interviewed for ZLC. I filled it out anyway just for kicks, and listed Utah and Alaska. If this process does not pick up some speed, I am going to take a job as an air quality scientist with the state or a National Weather Service job (which although is still govt. is much much quicker than the FAA). In 24 days, I will have applied 1 year ago!! Really wish I would have been invited to a PEPC. I was told that is not really an option for the Utah guys. Anyways, sorry to go off, but I chose Utah originally because I can be on a ski lift in 30 minutes from my house or have a fish on the end of my line is less than that. Great place. __________________ OTS App 06/07 ATSAT 01/08 ZLC Interview 04/08 June 16 PEPC in LA Tentative Class: July 14

May 5th, 2008, 13:28	#17
10SM CLR Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 68	Re: Which Facility and Why? Does anyone have any knowledge or advice on the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands facility? I would like to put it as a geographic preference, but there are certainly a lot of considerations to make before persuing a position there.

May 5th, 2008, 15:07	#18
Johnsc81 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Daytona Beach Posts: 84	Re: Which Facility and Why? 1. KBOI (Boise, Id) - Close to home for me and I love the City and the Area.... Lots of rivers, and mountains. Great for fishing and skiiing and Hiking and climbing.....the list goes on and on........ 2. ZLC - refer to Item 1 description.... What can I say, I love the mountains and the West.

May 5th, 2008, 16:49	#19
SQuirell88 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Posts: 96	Re: Which Facility and Why? If I don't get hired for South Carolina under the 2007 state announcement. I chose for my 2008 national announcement: Terminals Only 1. Virginia-anywhere except Arlington county (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) 2. West Virginia-anywhere I live in Columbia, SC, but been here 10yrs and lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for the first 16yrs of my life. I want stronger seasons, larger mountains, more wildnerness to explore but still close to family and not too far away from the redneck south, but hopefully still in a populated enough area to find a girl to marry. __________________ 08/06/2007 - OTS App (State of SC) 02/15/2008 - OTS App-PUBNAT 1 03/07/2008 - AT-SAT (WQ) 05/05/2008 - Pref: ATCT only VA, WV 06/20/2008 - Selected for WV ATCT 07/24/2008 - Memphis PEPC

May 6th, 2008, 08:05	#22
badbudda Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Niceville Posts: 84	Re: Which Facility and Why? Does anyone know anything about the Miami facility? I've read on google and in one of these threads the drop out rate is very high as well as training taking forever. There seems to be a lot of unhappy folks there and I'm curious as to why. I would like to stay in Florida and thinking of putting Miami as one of my locations.

May 6th, 2008, 11:34	#24
Luftwaffe Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 21	Re: Which Facility and Why? I know alot of unhappy people that work at ZMA. I've been told it is one of the worst run and most sort handed centers, even for the current state of the FAA. Plus, from some one who lives here, you will not be able to afford to live the way people might think you can live in Miami, such as Miami Beach/South Beach. I know one of the supervisors at Miami Center said alot of people think it'll be great living in Miami, hitting South Beach, and than when they get here they realize they can't afford to live in what they thought would be paradise. You have to be making way over $100K to be living that life here. http://www.redorbit.com/news/busines...ass/index.html __________________ OTS App. - 2/15 AT-SAT - 3/18 (95.4) Geo. Pref. - 5/2 (GA, FL) Referral List - 6/6 Selected for ZTL - 6/20 NY PEPC & TOL - 7/7 FOL - waiting...

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