ATC Students FAQ (from the FAA)

Saw two new documents from Student Services. A FAQ (below) and the new per diem/housing policy (located in the sticky under Housing/Accomodations)

Air Traffic Control Specialist Students
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will I need to pay for anything during my first few weeks at the Academy if I am using the new credit card payment process for lodging? Yes. You will be required to pay for your meals and incidental expenses. You can request reimbursement 15 days after arrival at the Academy and monthly thereafter.

2. Will I still need to submit a travel voucher (SF 1012) if using the new credit card payment process for lodging? Yes. You will submit a travel voucher to be reimbursed for your meals and incidental expenses only. You can submit a travel reimbursement voucher 15 days after arrival at the Academy and monthly thereafter.

3. How do I contact the Travel Office? The Travel Office (AMZ-132) is located in Headquarters Building, Room 366. Their phone number is 405/954-9453.

4. What is the daily per diem rate effective 10/01/08? The new long-term (16 or more class days) per diem rate is $80.40 per day. This will apply only as an exception to the credit card payment process for lodging. This flat rate per diem includes; lodging expenses, meals, local transportation and personal phone calls.

5. How do I get to Oklahoma City (OKC) for training? After receipt of your firm offer of employment, you are authorized to call American Express at 1-800/423-7458 and book airfare to OKC. The airfare will be at no cost to you. If you choose to drive, you will be reimbursed for your actual expenses not to exceed the cost FAA would have paid for your flight to OKC.

6. Will I be reimbursed for “Excess or Overweight Baggage” charges by the airline? Yes. You can claim reimbursement by providing a receipt along with other travel documentation when you submit your travel voucher for reimbursement.

7. Will I be reimbursed for a rental car while I am at the Academy? No. Local transportation, including rental cars, is not authorized.

8. When will I receive the packet of information from the Academy? You should receive the package of information from the Academy within one to two weeks prior to the class start date. If you have not received it within a week prior to arrival at the Academy, please call 405/954-6327.

9. Do I have to stay at an apartment or hotel on the Student Services Website list of Housing? No. The providers are listed as a service to assist you with obtaining lodging.

10. How many days in advance of my class start date should I arrive at the Academy? You should plan to arrive in OKC one day prior to the start of your class.

11. When will I have an FAA email account? Your account will be established after you complete training and arrive at your facility.

12. When will I know my assigned shift for Academy training? All Air Traffic Courses begin at 0700 on the first day. Shifts are then assigned by the instructors. At some time during your training at the Academy, you may be required to work night shift.

13. Are Academy students off work for federal holidays? Yes. Class is dismissed for recognized federal holidays.

14. What type of dress code is acceptable? Business casual is the acceptable dress code for students. (No shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, etc.)

15. Is there someone I can talk with about changing my facility assignment after I have arrived at the Academy? Once you are at the Academy, this is only considered in rare cases. You would need to talk with the facility manager at the facility and phone number listed in your firm offer letter.

16. Is there someone at the Academy who can help me with G.I. Bill questions? We do not have a military liaison on campus. You can call 1-888-GIBILL-1 or go to the following website: www.GIBILL.VA.gov

17. Can I request a roommate? The FAA Academy cannot endorse or arrange roommate situations. After arrival at the Academy, students do sometimes meet other students wishing to share accommodations.

18. Is childcare provided? There is an onsite childcare facility with enrollment based on availability. The Launching Pad is open from 0630 to 1800, Monday through Friday. Their phone number is 405/954-4901. If there is no availability, or if you require childcare while attending evening courses, you may call Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association, Inc. at 405/525-3111. They offer a free service to help you find the right child care situation.

So it appears to me that they are now attempting to make it to where you have no high out of pocket expenses, which is a good thing, right?!

The problem I have with this new system is that I will loose money this way. Since the FAA is going to pay the apartment directly, any $ left over from the $50 housing allotment is lost. In my case that's $4/day, or $120/month. For an en-route trainee that is a loss of almost $500 over the length of the training cycle.

I wonder if the FAA will allow us to not participate in the program if we chose. Apple Tree Apartments requires no deposit or up-front rent, so in my case there is no hardship under the old per-diem system.

For what it is worth, my instructor told me that in February 2009 they will be expanding Air Traffic Basics courses from 5 classes daily to 10 classes daily(5 day/5night classes). The classes will continue to alternate, but they will have 5 going on in both the day hours and 5 at the night hours.

Well! good news for us waiting for a class date!

How is it going for you SQ?

So far so good. I'm loving it. The schedule is a challenge to get used to...the course work is not easy, but manageable if this is something the person is really interested in. Otherwise, I recommend another career. Class sizes for terminal range from 12-18 and you get to know your class really well. Sometimes more than you want.

Some instructors are good, others aren't as strong at communicating. The better the teacher the easier to learn. So far I've had about 8-10 different instructors that have taught, but 3 main ones. Overall there are 26 instructors in basics right now.

Something to keep in mind: you file for your first per diem 15 days after arriving, it will take another 1-2wks before you get that money. Salary comes every other Tuesday (Dec. 2 etc...)

Hope that helps!

great! :nana2:

I keep hearing everyone say okc is 5 weeks or so. but on a different thread there was someone who said they were there for almost 4 months. how long is OKC? how does it get broken up? I'm taking my ATSAT on the 18th. I just had a baby boy (or rather my wife did) (7 weeks saturday!) and i'm trying to get my mind around how the process work.

Hopefully,,,I'll get to OKC. should i be so lucky, could my wife come with, or should she live with the folks??? OH does any one know if Memphis is high on the Geo Prefs? surely, you can't be serious. I mean it's not hawaii right?

and don't call me shirley:crazy:

Bipop is going to tear you a new one for this. So before he does,

1.) Count on 4+ months... basics, non-radar, radar, URET if applicable.
2.) You can move your family, but that's your decision.
3.) Geo prefs are a constantly moving target. Keep your eyes on the "application process" thread.

Actually, I'd read everything you can on here. Your questions will all be answered.

Yeah, i figured someone would. I've literally been reading this webpage almost non-stop for a few days now...TONS of info. It's just a matter of finding the right thread and reading through 10 pages of threads in order to find the one specific question I have. And then i figure what the hell, i'll ask about memphis and family thing, seeing as how i'll probably get ripped anyway. that was just in case someone was feelin' nice.

I love that in other threads people are saying that a CTI education gets condensed into 5-6 weeks. but then others say 4 months.

Thanks for the help

It is 5-6 weeks for CTI grads going terminal option (skip basics).
4 months for En-Routers that have to do Basics plus en route training.

hey, i havent ripped anyone anything in forever..now that im an atc trainee i dont care anymore..lol..

Does anyone know if there is an updated version of this? Thanks.