After the interview, what to expect?

[Katie]

My hubby is interviewing today for a job in New Hampshire . . . how long is training? (he has no aeronautical experience, but 2 college degrees). If it is several months in OKC, can I and the children come, too?

Will he be paid his regular salary during that time?

Will the website tell him if he is to be hired or not? (the one that has the status updates on it)

. . . nervous wife at home with little kiddos

[mycena]

From what I remember on the job description that I applied to. Training was listed as 6 weeks. Although I seem to remember reading somewhere else that depending what job he's hired for it could be 8 weeks... Someone else can tackle that question. I also remember reading that during training your salary is less.... something like a GS 4 maybe.. I don't know what payscale the FAA uses even. But for Connecticut I think it was like 23K, I'd guess NH would be just under that and then starting salary was closer to 40K.

[tythebigd]

He will only be paid 9/hour I believe in OKC. Supposedly they started giving a per diem again, so that should help with living costs I guess. Honestly, me and my wife have two kids also and she is just planning on staying back in TX if and when I make it to OKC. Seems pointless to move two kids to OKC for 2 months then have to move all over again. Of course it depends on whether or not you have family and help where you are now.

About website telling him hes hired, I am sure it would be a phone call. Something tells me they wont just post it on the site saying, "you're hired!"

[ATC Vector]

Katie,

The length of training depends on the type of facility your husband will be going to (Tower, TRACON, or Center). I believe Tower training is 37 business days, and Center training is around 56 business days. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Academy students are on the GS Salary Schedule; specifically GS1, Step 1. That is the lowest grade possible, which means that for 2008 it comes down to $9.24/hr. Per diem is not included in this figure.

[Katie]

How can I find out what the New Hampshire locations are - Tower, TRACON, or Center?

Also . . . is there any list available for all of these abbreviations? I have been perusing the website and looking around online for some additional info, and . . .I'm embarrassed to admit how little I understand.

Thank you all so much for the help you have been so far!

[Fox Xray]

It's been a long time since I was in OKC but ATC Vector's info sounds spot on for what I remembered. I do remember some people at OKC traveled with their families as many left home, went to OKC, and went to a facility that was different from where they came from. They just went from place to place with the family.

I don't think there is anyone posting on here now that is presently in OKC... though there are a few going soon.

[ATC wannabe]

Katie----

The pay is starting out basically slightly above being paid $18k a year. The FAA instituted a new contract on the controller workforce in 2006 and they changed from GS pay bands they now have what they call Core Compensation. http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm After training in Oklahoma City (OKC) the average pay is some where between $36-$40k a year including locality pay or cost of living pay (COLA), and that is for Developmental 1 phase and there are 4 phase that a trainee goes through. As they certify and work through the phases they get pay raises. Oh and the other thing you can add to your pay is shift differential, holiday pay and overtime which from what my father tells me (he works in Kansas City Center) is anywhere from 15%-20% more over your base pay.

I hope this helps a little more.

[ATC wannabe]

Also they are now paying per diem again while in OKC of right around $79 a day. The apartment or room you get in OKC will be about half of that from what I have seen.

[Katie]

So . . . if he is offered a job, he will go to OKC for 6-7 weeks, being paid roughly $9/hour, then go to his assignment in the neighborhood of $36-40,000? If he only checked the New Hampshire locations, will he possibly be sent elsewhere? (Can you tell I'm a girl, LOL!)

So . . . if I'm a stay-home mom right now, we're gonna have to figure something out for cash for those 6 weeks of lower pay (he makes more than that now, and it is tight in New England).

Thank you guys so much . . . I read somewhere something about 26 weeks in OKC, and I was kind-of freaking out!

[Katie]

Never mind . . . he just called, and they gave him a preliminary offer at EXACTLY the location he was hoping for, but then he didn't pass the vision screening (color blindness).

Grrrrr.

Kinda frustrating that he got this far, taking days off work, going out of state for a test, and they couldn't have put this on the initial information.

Oh, well . . . we were praying for a clear answer, and I guess this is it!

[ATC wannabe]

Everything I have read and heard is that training is 12 weeks. MY father also looked up the training schedule in OKC and they have 2 classes (Air Traffic Basics) starting this monthe 2 starting next month and 4 starting the month aftert that.

As far as a different location I don't know I guess it depends on qualifications probably any experience, AT-SAT score, and willingness. They may ask but does not mean he has to take it.

[magnetic907]

damn excuse my language but i bet that sucks really hard! katie sorry to hear that ! i feel for you and your husband such along process! hopefully something else workout for you'll!

[Beehive]

FAA ATC locations-http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...s_offices/ato/
Left side of page is links for tower, TRACON and en route center locations. All of them are right on from what I know.
FAA Qualifications and Hiring Process-
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...cupations/atc/
Includes Medical Examination requirements.
New Hampshire pay once your are certified-
Manchester ATCT 55,360
Boston ARTCC 77,793
Too little, too late...I know.

[Katie]

Thank you, all, for your very helpful information.

I have the BEST husband EVER, and he was offered a REALLY good job today in a brand-new facility in Nashua, NH . . . we have been trying and trying to buy a house, but the job he is in right now is pretty tight. This would have bought the house . . . he was SO HAPPY when they handed him that letter, and then . . . he failed the color-blindness test.

My heart just hurts for him right now.

But thank you all for your help . . . nobody knows of any other jobs like this one, do you? Where you don't need color vision?

[Fox Xray]

Originally Posted by Katie

Thank you, all, for your very helpful information.

I have the BEST husband EVER, and he was offered a REALLY good job today in a brand-new facility in Nashua, NH . . . we have been trying and trying to buy a house, but the job he is in right now is pretty tight. This would have bought the house . . . he was SO HAPPY when they handed him that letter, and then . . . he failed the color-blindness test.

My heart just hurts for him right now.

But thank you all for your help . . . nobody knows of any other jobs like this one, do you? Where you don't need color vision?

Nashua NH ... I'm gonna assume ZBW (Boston Center). If the center is what he was offered there used to be a an alternative color vision test for center applicants. I know little about it other then it was a paper strip test with colored writing on it. I have no idea if the test exists anymore as at the centers we are going away from paper strips to computer based flight strips (URET).

There is a forum on here where there is a flight surgeon, you might be able to find out more info about an alternate test.

[Polarbear]

There is definitely a color vision test he can do. Contact the medical office by phone and they should give it to him. There was an ATC on another site that had the same, and got a special issuance. I cannot find the thread though.

He should have contacted someone to set up the medical exam, that would be the one he should contact. Don't give up hope yet.

Now here are the exact numbers for OKC:

1. Annual pay $19,349 including 13.5% Locality. This comes to $9.30/hr. Per Diem is exactly $79.20/day for every calendar day he is there(including days not worked). A two bedroom furnished apartment is anywhere from 50-60 a night at FAA housing, however you are free to use any commercial housing.

2. OKC for OTS En-Route is 87 classroom days, approximately 17.5 weeks. This includes approx 5 weeks of ATC Basics. This can change if they add or delete content. Do not trust the on-line schedule, it is highly inaccurate.

I am heading to OKC in February. Feel free to contact me with any questions and hopefully I can help get them answered.

Again, don't give up yet.

[Katie]

Well, he took 2 tests, and they told him there was one other one, but that it wouldn't do him any good since he wasn't even close on the first two.

[Polarbear]

Was it the doctor or OKC that told him this? Remember the doc is a contractor and if I were your husband, I'd want to get a second oppinion. If it is the medical office at OKC, then yeah ok (though I guess I am just one of those pesky people that never gives up, so I would still go get the third test).

Is it so bad he can not tell the difference between red and green at all? Like at a traffic light?

[savemecalifornia]

Originally Posted by Beehive

FAA ATC locations-http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...s_offices/ato/
Left side of page is links for tower, TRACON and en route center locations. All of them are right on from what I know.
FAA Qualifications and Hiring Process-
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...cupations/atc/
Includes Medical Examination requirements.
New Hampshire pay once your are certified-
Manchester ATCT 55,360
Boston ARTCC 77,793
Too little, too late...I know.

Where can I find pay info like that?

[Beehive]

That is a bold question.
Once certified at Palo Alto ATCT, you should receive a salary of 46,189. If the FAA has their way, you might only receive 45,300. That of course is probably not including locality(28.68%). And you only have "up" to go from there! After five years at Palo Alto ATCT, you could be earning 93,300. Once again though, if the FAA has their way...only 63,700.

Write or e-mail your senators and representatives(once a day) people! Let them how important Air Traffic Controllers really are!

[savemecalifornia]

Thanks beehive.

Does anyone know how long the academy is for someone going to a tower? Is it 5 weeks?

[rom9701]

are you cti or ots?

[whysoserial]

Originally Posted by savemecalifornia

Does anyone know how long the academy is for someone going to a tower? Is it 5 weeks?

I'm going to a tower. My firm says 25 classroom days for basics and 37 for tower cab. Totals around 3 months.

I'll get the privilege of going back to OKC for RTF sometime later on too, wee.