Thinking about going to the FAA

[mojo6911]

Apparently, they need GA Safety Inspectors, per their website. I am thinking it might be a cushy job for a few years, or maybe make a career out of it. I am currently instructing, making pretty good money, and enjoy it.

Pay: Starts at 40k
Benefits: Government
Stability: See above
Requirements: 1500TT, CFI/CFII/MEI, Less than 3 accidents

I will meet the TT requirements in a month. Anyone know anyone that has worked for the FAA?

[tgrayson]

The FAA is close to the most despised employer in the federal government. It's ranked 204/222:

http://www.bestplacestowork.org/BPTW...s_subcomponent

You will become old and bitter in your youth. Don't do it.

[Screaming_Emu]

1,500 TT and less than 3 accidents? Talk about high standards :-P That would be an accident every 500 hours.

[Capt. Caucasian]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

The FAA is close to the most despised employer in the federal government. It's ranked 204/222:

http://www.bestplacestowork.org/BPTW...s_subcomponent

You will become old and bitter in your youth. Don't do it.

The rest of the list after the FAA is rather concerning. I would prefer that the employees of the TSA, FEMA, and the NUCLEAR Detection Office were a little happier.

204 Federal Aviation Administration (DOT) 50.3 58.8 -14.5% 206 Defense Contract Management Agency (DOD) 49.8 54.0 -7.8% 206 Federal Technology Service (GSA) 49.8 54.8 -9.1% 208 Defense Nuclear Detection Office (DHS) 48.8 no data N/A 209 Federal Student Aid (ED) 48.3 56.1 -13.9% 210 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (USDA) 48.1 51.3 -6.2% 211 Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS) 47.5 54.4 -12.7% 212 Office of Special Trustee (Interior) 47.2 no data N/A 213 Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS) 46.7 49.7 -6.0% 214 Federal Investigative Service (OPM) 46.6 no data N/A 215 Departmental Administration (USDA) 46.5 50.6 -8.1% 215 Headquarters (DHS) 46.5 65.8 -29.3% 217 All Other Components (HHS) 46.3 52.0 -11.0% 218 Office of the Solicitor (Interior) 44.5 51.0 -12.7% 219 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (HHS) 41.9 no data N/A 220 Transportation Security Administration (DHS) 40.6 38.2 6.3% 221 Office of Postsecondary Education (ED) 38.0 47.3 -19.7% 222 Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology (DHS) 32.6 no data N/A

[B767Driver]

Every time I go to the local FSDO to renew my CFI cert. it's a sad, sad sight. I believe I've even seen some leisure suits running around those offices.

[germb747]

The last FAA inspector I spoke to told me he went to work for them because the airline gig didn't work out, and he could count his military experience toward the 20 years needed for federal retirement.

[gtpilot]

It is a thankless but extremely secure job. If you can stand being stereotypically despised by both the general public and your co-workers, why not try? I used to advocate you could bring change from the inside, but I've been told repeatedly that the machine is just too big.

BTW, do you get a choice for where to work? That could make a huge difference - not every FSDO is completely evil.

[MQAAord]

My dad looked into being a MTX Fed inspector, and he was basically told they'd love to have him (with his military and IA experience) but that they wouldn't guarantee him placement in the MKE FSDO. I don't know how it is for pilot inspectors. My dream job is still to be a Cabin Safety inspector, but for that you apply for specific positions with specific FSDOs, and you DO know where you're going to be.

[MichaelCPS]

You will find that it is a "good old boys club" at most FSDO's around the country. If they don't know you and you don't conform to their idea of a "g-man," it is unlikely you will get the job. Also, I have not heard of anyone in our area get hired at the minimums. They like people with ALOT of experience. Just my two cents.

Michael

[Wing_96]

I talked to an inspector at our FSDO and he said the pay was good, but that flying hours were few. Something to consider as well as all of the other aforementioned items...

[falconvalley]

Originally Posted by MichaelCPS

You will find that it is a "good old boys club" at most FSDO's around the country. If they don't know you and you don't conform to their idea of a "g-man," it is unlikely you will get the job. Also, I have not heard of anyone in our area get hired at the minimums. They like people with ALOT of experience. Just my two cents.

Michael

There are plenty of Inspectors at my FSDO that don't like each other. That being said, the good old boys club is pretty common in big companies.

[Flyin_bryan]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

The FAA is close to the most despised employer in the federal government. It's ranked 204/222:

http://www.bestplacestowork.org/BPTW...s_subcomponent

You will become old and bitter in your youth. Don't do it.

hahahahah GOOD INFO!

[Airport7]

I came to the FAA last August as an airport inspector. While it is a big machine and there are frustrating aspects of the agency (mostly bureaucratic BS), the problems I've seen are far fewer and less irritating than what I experienced at private companies and while flight instructing. Plus it's very secure and the pay, benefits, and retirement are all at least the same or a bit better than equivalent private sector jobs.

It never hurts to apply. At the very least you might get an idea of what they're really looking for and how the process goes. Be aware that much like a major airline, the "minimum requirements" may be far lower than realistic competitive qualifications.

[Fox Xray]

Airport7 summed it up really well. Aviation is a tough career field and while most employees of the FAA rank the agency somewhere around pond scum they still are not bad to work for. Does that make any sense ?

The pay and benefits of working for Uncle Sam are nice, especially with all that is going on in the private sector. You have a real pension that won't go belly up, you have a lot of protection in the work place. Once you're on the inside you become amazed that the aviation system runs at all when you start to meet the people in high places.

As a controller I'm probably more bitter then most FAA employees but I do enjoy my job, I just hate all the BS that goes along with it. I'm also a NATCA rep and I interact with people in all departments of the FAA. As Gov"t workers we like to sit around and BS and I will say the guys in FSDO, flight standards, and all the other departments feel the same way, they enjoy what they do and many say it's far better then when they worked in the private sector.