Got the offer letter.

[RABIRZA69]

So got an email today from the FAA saying I've been offered tentative employment as an Air traffic controller in ACK. There's a bunch of paperwork I have to fill out and most of it has a 5-10 day deadling. Im pretty stoked about it but not so much about the location. In anyones experience, if I turn down the location, what are the chances of them offering me another location? ACK is nice and beautiful but the cost of living there is going to kill me. Plus I'll miss my fiance :-(

Any info??

[sdfcvoh]

Don't know anything about the place - but congrats. I hope it all works out well for you - whatever you choose.

[GUNIT]

ACK is absolutely gorgeous. Now I don't know all too much about what would happen FAA wise if you turned down the location, but hands down ACK is one of the most beautiful spots in the north east corridor.

[PurduePilot]

Looks like you'll be taking my place. How things come around.

You can have my apartment as I'll probably be moving off the island.

By the way, you're stuck for a year at your first facility. It's either ACK or bust...

[RABIRZA69]

Purdue,

Im assuming your a controller in ACK? hows the year round living there? I was also looking at apartments they are outrageously priced. If you dont mind me asking how much are you paying?

[PurduePilot]

I was a controller there. Found out that I sucked at the job, so took a pilot job at Cape Air where I'm happier.

This place gets really busy in the summer. I mean really busy. It sometimes gets busier than Logan! During the winter, it's DEAD (don't let that lull you into a false impression when you come in).

By that same token too, everything rolls up after Columbus Day. Apparently, the winters here are difficult. If you want to do anything, such as see a movie, you have to do that in Hyannis. That means either the ferry or Cape Air.

If you're a city person, it's going to be a tough adjustment.

I found an "apartment" out of sheer luck. I'm living in some guy's basement that he converted over into a liveable space. It's got everything you need: 2 bedrooms, closet, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. For that I'm paying a flat $1500/month. The good thing is that all utilities are included in that price, so all I'm paying is the $1500/month. I also have a roommate, so we divide the rent equally and that means I only pay $750/month.

I hope this answered your questions! By the way, when do you start at the academy? Enjoy OKC!

[RABIRZA69]

I havent gotten an academy date yet, I still have to do the Med and Psych, 750/mo isnt too bad, I'm paying 800/mo now, but then again I'm going to be taking a huge paycut. I am a city person, I just got off the phone with the FAA and they told me that If I turn down ACK, it would be a gamble to see if any other facility takes me. I guess a year isnt too bad. what is the process for transferreing after a year? Is ACK a level 7 facility and why do you say you sucked at the job???

[PurduePilot]

My working speed sucked, I couldn't seperate 2 airplanes with 1000 miles of empty airspace, I would frequently get confused as to who is who, my priorities sucked... the list goes on and on.

So I quit and got a job as a pilot with Cape Air where I'll be much happier. I was miserable as a controller. I have to fly. That's what I've been doing for the past 10 years and that's all I've ever wanted to do. I took the controlling job for the money and benefits, which are phenomenal, but I was miserable.

Don't turn down your first facility. If I understand the process, turning down your first facility is tantamount to resignation. Just put in your year and transfer. The tower manager here is pretty cool in approving transfers. I don't know the process, but I do know that both your old tower manager and new tower manager have to approve it. There also has be a vacancy in the facility you want to go to.

[surreal1221]

Good luck. . .and congrats.

[Svirf]

Hey,

I am still waiting to get a slot to take the test. I finally got a hold of someone that had a clue, and I was told that it would be in Oct. or early Nov. How long was your process from test taking to getting an offer?

Thanks,
Jason

[ATCT]

Hey,
Im about through with my first year (Level 12 Tower, Texas) and hey its not too bad. ACK will kill ya money wise, but get in, make a good impression, then transfer. We're desperate across the board for people. Once you're in you basically can transfer anywhere. Get 12 months of FPL time under your belt and start throwing your name to bids. I should be FPL in another couple weeks and its been a good ride.

Enjoy OKC, i'd recommend Apple Tree or Walnut Garden appts.

Good luck man, welcome to the agency.

ATCT

[Polarbear]

Congrats man. I just found out I am on the referral list for ZID, now I guess it is a waiting game to see if I get an interview.

[crashmbern]

Well I turned down my first offer and got offered a second position. I think you took the AT-SAT, but were you a CTI grad? I was and it use to be if you turned down an offer and were a CTI grad that was it. Well they just changed that rule as I pretty much ignored the calls from OK because I was offered a position in Rochester and didn't want it. I just got an email that I was offered a position in Ronkonkama in the NY ARTCC. I guess I'm gonna play the game again. Not sure if I really want the job. I currently work at eagle in LGA and like my job but not the money. With ATC I have a feeling I wouldn't like the job but would like the money (would love the money under the old pay scale). Hope that helps.

[RABIRZA69]

Well after a few days of pondering and heavy drinking , Ive decided that I've almost made up my mind about going to Nantucket. I havent officially decided yet but I'm leaning towards it. I dont want to turn it down and then be assed out of a career. I have my medical and psych scheduled and already did the pee test and fingerprinting. What can I expect for the psych??

[PurduePilot]

The psych test isn't overly difficult; it's just a bunch of multiple choice questions such is "I perfer a well made gun over a well written poem. true/false"

It's like 300 or so of these questions. The only thing is, it does get tedious after a while. You take this test in an ATC facility of the FAA's choosing and not in any doctor's office.

[flyguy63]

I'm guessing you had to travel in order to take the psych test?

[PurduePilot]

No, since I was living in Indy at the time they had me take it at the Indy Center building. Indy Center was located at Indy International, so it wasn't too much of a drive for me.

[Elfmaze]

I just got back from ACK, visiting some friends out there. Yes everything is goign to cost about twice as much, straight down to groceries. And housing is just stupid now. I would also recomend looking into a vespa or small motorcycle. Parking is tedious downtown. plus the roads are made of stone and dirt which tear up you're cars suspention. Otherwise, Nantucket does have a very happy feeling to it

[PurduePilot]

You came during the busy time. The population drops off to next to nothing in the fall and winter. You can already see the population drop off now, compared to what it was in July.

Yes, the main road in town is cobblestone (which does what it's supposed to -- slow traffic down, but it also tears the crap out of your car) and some side roads are dirt.

You can get a vespa or something like it, but for the 2 months out of the year you really need it I'd go with plain old bike instead and save yourself the money. What I would advise is getting either a Wranger, Liberty, or something similar. You'll want a small SUV for the island. I don't know of any island native that drives a compact, hybrid, or something similar (or if they do they have a "winter car" which is a SUV). That tells me that the plowing situation is spotty at best. Granted, I haven't been here during the winter but everyone keeps telling me about my "first winter," like it's something to be feared.

[flyguy63]

I got accepted to take the at-sat (already took the test) for a job in chicago in the asap. Does this have anything to do with where i might get placed, or will they likely place me somewhere other than chicago?

[Polarbear]

Originally Posted by flyguy63

I got accepted to take the at-sat (already took the test) for a job in chicago in the asap. Does this have anything to do with where i might get placed, or will they likely place me somewhere other than chicago?

I took the AT-SAT in Alaska, but got the interview email for Indianapolis. I guess it is whatever region grabs you first.