Several questions

[neverett]

1. If I already have a Class II Medical Certificate (it is class II right?), would I still need to get the physical at the PEPC? I was just wondering if I could cut this out of my day at the PEPC if I got one before hand.

2. For geographic preferences, can I list the individual facilities that I'm wanting? Or do I have to select just two states, and whatever they give me, they give me?

3. Also, does anyone know any of the following facility ratings? Ohio: CAK, CLE, CMH, CVG (and do they consider that Ohio?), DAY, TOL, YNG, ZOB. Washington: GEG, SEA, ZSE. I think I hit most of them, feel free to post more if I didn't get all of the facilities for those two states.

4. Is a TRACON considered tower or enroute? I'm assuming tower, but you know what they say about assuming...

5. How many months (approximately) would an off the street applicant have to spend at OKC for terminal? And for enroute?

6. Could anyone give me some insight into the difference between being an enroute controller and a tower controller (and a TRACON)? I know the basic differences, what each one is responsible for, but what is a typical day like for each of them? Feel free to state your opinion on which is better and which is more exciting/challenging.

Just to give you some background, I'll be applying OTS. Therefore, I'm thinking I'd like a medium sized facility so I can move up after I get trained (aka I don't want to wash out). Any thoughts on that as well. Sorry for the overwhelming amount of quesitons, maybe I'm a little over zealous but I am eager to apply. I've heard going to CTI is a good idea as well, but I might hold off for a little while to see if I get selected for an ATSAT and get hired OTS. Is that a good idea or should I just plan on going to CTI school? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and I hope that I didn't ask too much! Thanks again!

[ATLTRACON]

Originally Posted by neverett

1. If I already have a Class II Medical Certificate (it is class II right?), would I still need to get the physical at the PEPC? I was just wondering if I could cut this out of my day at the PEPC if I got one before hand. Don't know

2. For geographic preferences, can I list the individual facilities that I'm wanting? Or do I have to select just two states, and whatever they give me, they give me?

3. Also, does anyone know any of the following facility ratings? Ohio: CAK, CLE, CMH, CVG (and do they consider that Ohio?), DAY, TOL, YNG, ZOB. Washington: GEG, SEA, ZSE. I think I hit most of them, feel free to post more if I didn't get all of the facilities for those two states. Check other posts, there is a link to the FFAA facility ratings.

4. Is a TRACON considered tower or enroute? I'm assuming tower, but you know what they say about assuming...It is neither. A TRACON (terminal radar approach control)is the approach control that serves an airport with the tower IE Atlanta TRACON serves ATL airport as well as the surface to 14000 above and roughly 100 miles around ATL airport. PDK, FTY, MGE, RYY, LZU, AHN, CSG, MCN and every other Podunk airport in between

5. How many months (approximately) would an off the street applicant have to spend at OKC for terminal? And for enroute?

6. Could anyone give me some insight into the difference between being an enroute controller receives and handsoff to approach controls as well as working aircraft after the have left terminal (TRACON) airspace and a tower controller taxis aircraft on airport property, clears aircraft to land/take-off and everything in between ON the airport property.(and a TRACON)sequences aircraft into and out of the major/main airport IE ATL and all other satellite airports, as well as overflight aircraft? I know the basic differences, what each one is responsible for, but what is a typical day like for each of them At ATL TRACON it's 20 min breaks/40 minute lunch and about 6+ hours on position a day ( an 8 hour day - more if it's a 10 hour day). 6 days a week 10 hours a day - every week? Feel free to state your opinion on which is better and which is more TRACON, I believe is more of a challenge, must be an extremely quick thinker and able to adjust rapidly to fast changing situations in extremely confined airspace. I worked at ZBW (Boston Center) earlier in my career and likened it to factory work. In centers you try to keep aircraft far apart (more spacing needed) in TRACON you try to get them as close as legally possible. exciting/challenging.

Just to give you some background, I'll be applying OTS. Therefore, I'm thinking I'd like a medium sized facility so I can move up after I get trained (aka I don't want to wash out) best idea. Any thoughts on that as well. Sorry for the overwhelming amount of quesitons, maybe I'm a little over zealous but I am eager to apply. I've heard going to CTI is a good idea as well, but I might hold off for a little while to see if I get selected for an ATSAT and get hired OTS. Is that a good idea or should I just plan on going to CTI school $$$$? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and I hope that I didn't ask too much! Thanks again!

[neverett]

ATLTRACON,

Thanks for your input. I always enjoy reading your posts. So you agree that CTI school is a waste of time AND money??? I agree since I'm already a poor college student. I just want to increase my chances any way that I can. I was thinking about going terminal only, and I think you affirmed that choice. Thanks again for posting!

[wanderingphoto.com]

So you agree that CTI school is a waste of time AND money???

I have a friend that works at ZTL and had gone to CTI school. I had asked him the other day if he thought it was annoying that the FAA hires people off the street to do the same job and get the same pay as those who went to school for it. He said absolutely not-- you dont need college to do this job. Basically he feels it was a waste.

I just want to increase my chances any way that I can. I was thinking about going terminal only

Somehow those statements seem to contradict each other... if you wanted to increase your chances, wouldn't you go with both? Now granted, I have no idea how the FAA works with these things (i wish i did, uggh) but that's the logic I went with-- i.e. choosing both.

Best of luck

[VTEC83]

I am a current cti student at miami dade, and for the most part I would agree with you guys. The classes are a joke, and a huge waste of my time. Anybody paying out of state tuition I really feel sorry for. Had I known about off the street hiring I would have never signed up in the first place. Unfortunatley I think alot of people have that same problem-not knowing about off the street hiring until they are already half way through the program. There just arent any incentives to being a CTI student-if it guaranteed you a job or a higher starting salary it might be worth it, but the only thing you get is 5 less weeks of basic training in Oklahoma. There are 3 classes in the CTI program however, that will actually give you a bit of an edge when you get to OKlahoma. You get some basic experience using non-radar techniques, and you get some radar simulator experience actually working scenarios like you will be faced with in Oklahoma. But thats it, the only reedeming quality of CTI school. So if anybody out there is considering it, in my opinion its just not worth it. Now you would think the FAA would hire a CTI grad before an OTS, so maybe your chances of getting hired are slightly increased, but who knows that is merely speculation. And what if you go through CTI school, get 3/4 of the way through, which is when they arrange for you to take the at-sat, and then you bomb the test. All that time and money you spent for nothing, the FAA will not hire you if you do not have a qualifying at-sat score even if you graduate CTI. Now you would have to have the IQ of a rock to not get at least a 70 on the at-sat but Im sure that doesn't apply to any of the people on this forum. lol Maybe if the FAA wasn't hiring like crazy right now whoever they can find, it would make more sense to go the CTI route, but as things stand in the current state of controller shortage, I would just be patient with my OTS application. As long as you meet the qualifications you will get hired.

[Beehive]

Originally Posted by neverett

5. How many months (approximately) would an off the street applicant have to spend at OKC for terminal? And for enroute?

Every OTS hire must first attend and pass the 5 weeks basic course.
Basics and TRACON only = about 2 months
Basics and tower = about 3 months
Basics and en route = about 4 months

[borommakot]

1. Yes, you have to get take the medical at the PEPC. It is *similar* to a combined 1st & 2nd class, but not the same as either. For example, an EKG is required, which is not part of your 2nd class.

2. The current way the FAA is hiring, you only pick states, not a specific facility. Their hiring process changes very frequently, though, so this could easily change...

3. Here is the only list that has every facility level. It's a little confusing and perhaps even out of date, but it's the only complete one I've ever seen online.

4. For hiring and other HR purposes, TRACONs are considered terminal.

5. See this post for info on OKC class lengths.

The rest of your questions have been answered well above.

[neverett]

So do you get your blood and urine tests at the PEPC too? Also, thanks to everyone who replied. You all are very, very helpful!

[Beehive]

Originally Posted by neverett

So do you get your blood and urine tests at the PEPC too? Also, thanks to everyone who replied. You all are very, very helpful!

If you are referring to the drug test, it is a urine only test...at least mine was. I didn't attend a PEPC but i'm sure you'll do it all there.

[neverett]

Drug and/or medical. I assume they draw blood at some point, but I'm not exactly sure. If they do, does that happen at the PEPC too?

[borommakot]

No blood test.

From what I remember:
1. Distant vision test
2. Color blindness test
3. Hearing test
4. EKG
5. Typical physical. Blood pressure, pulse, balance, reflexes, look in eyes, ears, throat.

The drug test is done at a separate station (at least at the PEPC I went to), and is accomplished through several small cups of urine.