Desperate Times

What's the old saying?  "Desperate times call for desperate measures."  Well, the following email message, being sent to new hires, should dispel any remaining doubt about whether or not the FAA is in desperate shape controller-staffing wise and has shifted from the Blakester's "right people in the right place at the right time" mantra and into full blown panic mode and crisis management:

"Dear FAA Employee:

Effective June 4, 2007, a recruitment incentive of $20,000 or 100% of your base pay, whichever is less, has been authorized for certain newly appointed employees in the Air Traffic Control Specialist Occupational Series (2152).  To be eligible you must possess fifty-two consecutive weeks of experience as a Certified Air Traffic Controller with Certified Tower Operator (CTO) certification or qualifying radar certification within two years prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement from which you
were selected.  Qualifying radar certifications are Radar Approach Control (RAPCON); Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (RATCF); Army Radar Approach Control (ARAC); Terminal Radar and Approach Control (TRACON); Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC); and Fleet Area Control or Surveillance
Facility (FACSFAC).

In order to determine your eligibility for this recruitment incentive, we are requesting an updated resume and copies of your qualifying certifications be faxed to our office at  (405) 954-7902, Attn: AMH-300
Recruitment Incentive Team.  These supporting documents must be received within 2 weeks from the date of this letter for you to be considered for this recruitment incentive. You will be notified if you are eligible.  If you have any questions, please contact Aviations Careers at (405) 954-4657.

Sincerely

Aviation Careers Division"

The FAA has botched their hiring plan so badly---and new hires are quitting in such overwhelming numbers---that the FAA is suddenly offering this little bit of tennis-shoe change to try and compel some of the new hires to stick around rather than telling the agency to stick it.

Let's see...offering bonuses of twenty grand to lure military controllers into the FAA (not biting...they can make more at DOD,) offering twenty grand to new hires if they will just stick around for a year instead of getting a job flipping burgers at McDonalds where they can make more money (not biting, they are bailing out at prodigious rates,) offering twenty grand for rehired annuitants like me to come back into the agency and put up with their claptrap (not biting, add two zeros and I still wouldn't take it.)   What's next, an incentive for retirees to stay and bail out this sinking ship?

No amount of blood money is going to fix this mess.  If you take their offer you are getting a bonus, all right:  They-bone-us. 

I've got a better idea:  New hires, CTIs, military controllers, rehires, retirees, the whole pack of you:

Tell the FAA to buzz off until they restore sanity to the pay scales and pay controllers---from the lowliest to the mightiest---a living wage ratified by the membership in a survivable profession run by something other than clueless blakeycrats.  Don't whore out for the money.  Stand strong and you'll get the money in due time, and it will be where you need it to be:  in your base pay.  They are going to have to restore the old pay scales or they are going to crash the system.  They know it, and I know it. 

Comments

[rover]

The FAA should feature a story on their website describing the need for 15,000 new employees and their willingness to pay 20,000 dollars in incentive to come on board. They could simply say that they were led astray by the neocons at the white house and their plan didn't work out. They could apologize to current and past employees, the families of current and past employees, members of congress, and the american people for being dishonest the last few years.

[CTIGrad]

How could a new CTI student receive this bonus since it requires working 52 weeks as a controller and a CTO? Is it basically just for those already stuck in the FAA who need a little extra incentive not to jump ship right now?

[Dale Kettring]

Here's the next log on the fire. I just got this from a PASS Brother. They (OPM) do want the annuitants back (Yeah, sure.). Note that it is the Republicans that are doing this. I am more than a little suspicious of this move. First question - "At what salary, and benefits?"

_______________________________________________________________

1. Bill Would Safeguard Benefits for Returning Federal Retirees
A new Senate bill would allow federal retirees to return to work without incurring any reduction in their retirement benefits. The legislation, the Part-time Reemployment of Federal Annuitants bill, was introduced Aug. 3 by co-sponsors Sens. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, John Warner, R-Va., and George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio.

If the bill becomes law, it would provide an easy way for retirees to return to the federal work force rather than obtain an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) dual-compensation waiver, said OPM Director Linda Springer.

OPM supports the measure. “Many federal retirees would welcome the opportunity to continue serving their nation.” Springer said. “The Collins-Warner-Voinovich bill provides a way to keep their valuable talent at work for the American people and benefits new entrants in the federal work force because of the rehired annuitants’ experience and insight.”

To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/opm-applauds-introduction-of-parttime-reemployment-of-federal-annuitants-bill,1212.aspx

[Ohboy]

"How could a new CTI student receive this bonus since it requires working 52 weeks as a controller and a CTO?"

This is priceless.

[ZZ-Retired]

Why would anyone take this small amount of money to put of with the current working conditions that exist in the FAA. This is their way of admitting failure. Hang in there everybody and Don't accept this offer. Stay united and tell the FAA to shove it. The number will change from 20g's to 30g's and more. When the working conditions change back to the way things were those bonuses will still be there and more.

[nwprlc]

Desperate and pathetic. Blakey's tenure at FAA (like her ideological soulmate and fellow George Bush devotee Rove) reminds me of someone who committs a hit and run. They create enormous damage, pain and heart ache and then slink away from the scene of the crime.

The blood money comes later in the form of insurance pay outs and the like. Bottom line, we have an enormous mess on our hands, regardless of how many trainess FAA is able to bamboozle in to signing on with an extra handful of rice. Contrary to Blakey's smoke screen about ATC training times being reduced, little or no experience trainees, especially at busier terminal facilities, aren't going to certify any quicker (if at all) because they see an extra week's worth of simulated ATC problems on a computer.

Time was when nearly every military, DoD or contract controller, wanted a career at FAA. But the cat's out of the bag. Folks have figured it out and this last ditch attempt to essentially bribe possible new hires is but one more reminder that this entire administration, the SS Bush-tanic, is listing at the bow and taking on water fast. Man the lifeboats!

[Carr Fan]

The majority of our supes are walking around bloated from gorging at the salary trough created by the Blakester where most of our supes make over twice what the newly certified FPL's make. Is that what the FAA had in mind? Pay the supes $168,500 to answer the phone and shoot the shit with each other, have them tripping all over each other trying to look as though they are actually doing something to earn their $80/hour. It's sad, really. Is this what Marion meant when she said this is running the FAA like a business, saving the taxpayers $1.6 Billion, all of it coming on the NATCA Bum's backs? Is this what she had in mind? Disgraceful.

[I <3 the FAA]

Sign for the bonus. Get through the Academy. Then quit.

Take a well-earned vacation with your $20K, and start some better life.

353 days.

[jamjets]

Carr Fan (9:21 am post):

The FAA has been conducting meetings in a workgroup concerning supe pay. When NATCA got some traction in Congress they decided "it would be premature to make any changes until the contract issue is settled" (ps FU and your Eff'ng non-contract Marion)They canceled another round of Kool-aid circle jerk in St. Louis that was planned for September. I bet the supes would not have liked the flavor of KoolAid they were going to get there. Stayed tuned. The Blakeycrats have only started. They are gonna make sure they get it all dicked up before they throw their hands up and give to LM, Raytheon, Harris, and Boeing.

[jamjets]

Carr Fan (9:21 am post):

The FAA has been conducting meetings in a workgroup concerning supe pay. When NATCA got some traction in Congress they decided "it would be premature to make any changes until the contract issue is settled" (ps FU and your Eff'ng non-contract Marion)They canceled another round of Kool-aid circle jerk in St. Louis that was planned for September. I bet the supes would not have liked the flavor of KoolAid they were going to get there. Stayed tuned. The Blakeycrats have only started. They are gonna make sure they get it all dicked up before they throw their hands up and give to LM, Raytheon, Harris, and Boeing.

[nwprlc]

"Pay the supes $168,500 to answer the phone and shoot the shit with each other, have them tripping all over each other trying to look as though they are actually doing something to earn their $80/hour"

Blakey knew that if she cut management's pay, she'd never get a lick of buy in from the ATMs down to the FLMs on her agenda to whipsaw controllers and NATCA. It is rather ironic when one considers the poor mouth that Blakey was crying just a few short years ago. Yet there were no cost savings to be realized from whom? Her highest paid group of ATO employees.

Like I said, she slithers away from this 8 lane pile up and we're left holding an empty sack.

[Current Employee]

Hey Marion remember me? I'm the Controller that has been working for your Agency the last few years. I know your concern is those eligible to retire and the new hires, but I'm here too. I want my Bonus!

[bill]

The FAA management team must feel like utter fools. Spending millions of taxpayer dollars in time and salaries solely to promote some failed neocon political ideology. How will the propoganda machine spin the desperate staffing shortage they find themselves in. Politicizing the very agency responsible for the safety of the american flying public is borderline criminal. These neocons need to go back to their stupid think tanks and let the professionals run the government agencies.

[You'rekidding]

I just saw a teaser ad on TV for tonight's NBC Nightly News. Looks like they might have something to say about this tonight.

[Broke and desperate]

After we get hired and are on our way to financial ruin while we wait to check out at our backed up facility, would it be bad to declare BANKRUPTCY? While I was waiting the 3 1/2 years to get hired after I graduated, life still went on, dept grew. If I declare bankruptcy will I loose my job?

[coxswain]

Stroke, Stroke, Stroke!
I said stroke damned it!

But boss we're missing the engine room (mid strokesmen)

I Said stroke damned it!

Sorry boss, not enough crew members and I don't need this.
I quit, retire, move on, leave you to shout to someone else.

Eff You

[BigAindaD]

"What's next, an incentive for retirees to stay and bail out this sinking ship?"

uh, yeah ---- that would be next!

[Wornout]

Remember the movie “Bridge over the River Kwie”? Sometimes, while on position, I swear I can hear the theme song of that movie.

[Take the bus.....]

How about that-

I recruiting incentive equal to $20,000 or 100% OF BASE PAY, WHICH EVER IS LESS

Hmmm....

I thought Marion was telling everyone that base pay was in the 40's, and would be in the 80's in just five years, wasn't she?

And NOW they are admitting that BASE PAY IS LESS THAN 20K, because they will offer a recruiting bonus of 20K , or 100% of base pay, WHICHEVER IS LESS.

Who is telling the truth?

NOT THE FAA.

[Disgruntle]

I love how the FAA came up with an arbitrary back date (June 4, 07) to start giving people the bonus. If you are going to back date it why not back date it to Sep. 4, 2006? Oh that’s right, because that would be fair and make sense. The people shafted the most, so far, by the new pay are those hired Sep 4, 2006 - June 3, 2007. Crappy pay and no bonus...sweet.

[CTI Student]

Ok so.....back to one gentlemens question CAN CTI STUDENTS RECEIVE THIS BONUS....i am about to get out of the academy and i wouldnt mind an extra $20000...hell i have lost enough with the 8 dollars an hr they are paying me right now

[DOD4ME]

the bonus is for VRA and anyone else with 52 consecutive weeks of rated time with a CTO or radar experience - not for CTI. they've already got you CTI guys by the short and curlies with no other ATC option for your CTI degree EXCEPT the FAA so why give you guys an incentive bonus?, you're going to have to work for the FAA regardless if you want to seperate airplanes. you must sign a 2 year contract with the FAA so you can't quit and spend the money. if you wash within that 2 year period - you pay back the bonus.

[Recent AcademyPrisonGrad]

I sent this letter to John about a week ago when I got it... then yesterday I got a hard copy of the same letter in the mail. For CTI Student... I don't think you and I are eligible until we have the 52 weeks and CTO under our belt. Which sucks... and them saying I'm not in the military (despite being deployed several times) because its not active duty... sucks, the fact that I was told I would get a great paying job only to have them take that away a few months before I graduated... sucks, the fact I had to pay my own way through college to get what the FAA wanted so I could pursue this previously noble occupation only to now find out that all I really needed was a GED and three years of work experience... that sucks as well. This crap has to get better and fast or I'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball...

[Management Wasting our taxes]

I say wash out all these pimple faced CTI's and VRA's until we, the VETERANS are treated with respect and a reatified contract.

[nutts]

any one who takes this one time $20,000 is being bought CHEEP, wait long enough and every one will get paid what we diserve.

[Papa Kilo]

Recent Academy Grad, I would really like to know the nit and gritty of the denial and the time served.

""Which sucks... and them saying I'm not in the military (despite being deployed several times) because its not active duty..."""

It took me 5 years to get a verified SCD and non-EAD time accredited thru OPM. I may be able to help or give insight to a track to chase if you want.

""""John ; could you get us in contact with each other?'''

[RB]

Hey "Management Wasting our taxes"
When you say "wash out all these pimple faced CTI's and VRA's until we, the VETERANS.." Are you referring to established FAA controllers as veterans? Or are you somehow saying VRA's arent veterans? Cause if your saying that I'm not a "veteran" of the military, I might be offended. But surely, your talking about veterans in that sense as faa controllers.

[DM]

"or qualifying radar certification within two years prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement from which you
were selected"

This is the part a lot of you missed, I think. This is the part that applies to all CTI's, where you have to get checked out at a radar position at an ARTCC within two years to get your bonus. One should question what qualifies as a "qualifying radar certification". Is it 1 radar position, two, or all in your area? If its all in your area, the chances of that happening are slim to none.

[DOD4ME]

"qualifying radar certification within two years PRIOR to the closing date" not AFTER . . .

the bonus applies to people with radar or tower certs PRIOR to hiring into the FAA. not CTI's. that's the part YOU missed

[Enough of it all]

Papa Kilo,

>>It took me 5 years to get a verified SCD and non-EAD time accredited thru OPM. I may be able to help or give insight to a track to chase if you want.<<

When I asked for my retirement projections I found out the FAA had included time in the active reserves (prior to being hired) and changed my SCD by 2 weeks. For over 25 years I had been shorted those two weeks on my SCD and only now at retirement are they acknowledging it--but only if I can provide a DD-214. Catch is they did not issue a DD-214 but a DD-256N which is just another form of proof of service. Trying now to get the FAA to acknowledge the DD-256N vs a DD-214 is still ongoing. Had they done it right I could have gone 1 month sooner.

[Ben Dover]

All this commotion, scrapping over a possible one time $20,000 payout when the world is crashing down around us?

My God, we're doomed!

[CTIandstillHopeful]

I find it interesting (and disgusting) that the ones trying to guilt people into not taking this money are those who have already raked it in and walked away, retired. The ones who really need it have more than pride at stake or hopes for that number to grow.. it could really be the windfall that keeps thier house or puts food in their family's mouths. If it's offered me, and I turn it down, that doesnt tell the FAA anything except maybe my salary is already so wonderful I dont need it. The only statement it would make is that I'm an idiot for not accepting the money when I had the chance and then bitch about my finances.

If you retirees can so easily snub 20k, how about spreading it around to some of us new hires who are paying the price now for the previous contract you guys so willingly bamboozled the FAA with?

[Wingtip Willie]

To CtI and still Hopeful:

That was a cheap and uninformed comment that you made. You new hires arent paying any price for our last contract, this makes me wonder if you are a management type in disguise...... your statement sure smells of it.....

[I <3 the FAA]

CTIandstillHopeful:

Your pay scale is where it is, in order to make the job of outsourcing easier in the long run. Note that they didn't cut existing salaries one iota; they just refused to raise them.

I'm with you on not refusing the job, or the bonus, if that's what you want from life. Just don't give me your bullshit about what a fair contract constitutes. If FAA takes in $11B due to my efforts, and I (AF and ATC) take $2.5B off the top as payroll, that's perfectly fair. It's especially fair when you consider that I volunteered to take on supervisory duties, and lessen the overhead at the desk. Of course, the FAA refused that cost savings, so that $2.5B has to support more useless mouths than the contract intended. Oh well, not our call.

Fact: FAA has yet to see a dime of savings from the B scale, and they won't for years. They don't care. It was never about that.

[CTIandstillHopeful]

After working as RPO at my facility for a bit now, I've been able to hear many sides of the story. Even the retirees there will admit that the previous contract completely worked over the FAA, and this is their revenge, taking things to the other extreme. I believe it.. yeah, you were overpaid. Now we're underpaid. You rake it in, then walk, and here we are.. and you tell us to refuse money we really need as a result? Sure, it's great that this blog speaks out as an advocate for us who are getting screwed, and I enjoy reading it and am grateful for that, but those spouting off how we should wait for a better salary when our student loans are due NOW need to put their loads of money where their mouth is and finance us, so we can refuse this "pity bonus". Maybe 20k is nothing to you, or to Carr who would refuse it with two extra zeros, but man.. to me.. it's the difference between Ramen and a real meal.

[Management Wasting our taxes]

"VETERAN" FAA SENIOR controllers, stop training these new hires. When the FAA cant get them to certify and with this shortage of hiring it will only back fire on this house of cards we call the FAA.

RB understand.

[nutts]

hay CTI cry babby iva spent 23 years at ZAU and C90 you want to tell me iam over paid??????you take a one time $20000 and you fall right into the FAAs hand oh sand by the way you have to check out to get the money but i guess working as a RPO you know everything about controlling EH, and good luck trying to get a true pay scale,dont remember seeing you around in the 80s when WE rebuilt the system.

[Ben Dover]

Who said not to take it? Go ahead, take the $20,000! Like putting a band-aid on a severed leg. If you can't survive on what they're paying you, eat for a day... and starve tomorrow!

[I <3 the FAA]

Overpaid?

My facility moved almost 2 million airplanes last year. How many millions of dollars does one Boeing 737 cost? How about two, and filled with people as they collide?

If we were overpaid, why not just take us back to the GS pay scale as we were before?

If the FAA is bleeding to death and can't afford to hire all the new controllers it needs, why have they fully staffed the ranks of first-level management - whose pay and bonuses cancel out the savings from four or five new CPCs?

Why go after the new people, anyway? Why not shoot for an across-the-board reduction of 5% with a pay freeze? After all, the new hires whose salaries are affected by the white book are less than 7% of the controller population in the FAA. Again, where are the savings really?

The white book is NOT about revenge. The white book is about beginning privatization. By lowering salaries for new hires, the FAA has lowered dues and PAC contributions for a few years down the road, when Republicans may retake the presidency, or maybe both sides of Congress. They want us weakened and unable to fight being sold out to Lockheed Martin or Boeing, because either one will be happy to try running this system for 5% of the ticket taxes.

Do a little more research before you tell me what you heard running DYSIM problems in the back.

[EnoughSilence]

CTI Grads from beaver academy do have a CTO and can get a Contract Tower job.........But will likely have to wait on a list that I hear has tripled since 09/2006!

[old guy]

Old guys, be mad, seek equality and fairness, quit harassing the new guys they are trying as hard as possible to wait out this mess. New guys quit bitching at the old guy cuz he makes so much, keep fighting for your right to make that much. All of us should be together on this. "United we stand Divided we fall". Maybe some of you have heard that before. All of us got to keep it together. The FAA is counting on us fighting with each other, don't prove them right. See Ya.

[bns66charger]

Those of us who are close to retirement ( 290 days ) may not need the 20K, that's cool. But the young guys who just came in probably do need the money, or the guy's who have been in and want the extra 20 k for college for there kid's or a boat or whatever.

Let them make the choice with out us hammering them for there decision!!!

Have a fine day

[Mako]

"No amount of blood money is going to fix this mess. If you take their offer you are getting a bonus, all right: They-bone-us."

You took the blood money in 82 and you are retired, what is the difference? now you tell others to stay away.The spin master bull.