New Guy Tale
Here's the story of a controller...I'll call him Bill.
Bill arrived at an ATC 6 facility after being unsuccessful in a training program at his previous up/down radar facility. Before that, he worked at Ordinary Flight Service (when there was such a thing). When Lockheed/Martin took over, he was offered the radar facility. Of course, there were no facilities available anywhere near where he previously lived and where his wife continued to live and work---in the San Diego area.
The NATCA Representative at this ATC 6 tower learned that Bill was heading his way about 2 months ago and called the radar facility to see what kind of employee he was. The Rep there told the receiving rep that Bill was a good employee who would probably do well at the new facility and his major problem was a lack of confidence. (After getting to know Bill and seeing him work the concensus is that Bill is fine....it is the old facility's training program that sucks.)
Of course, after he washed out, there was no ATC facility anywhere near the place where his wife continues to live and work and there was exactly one FAA facility offered---even though there are similar facilities much closer to San Diego that are paying far more OT than the ATC 6 each week).
The other option for poor Bill was separation... remember, it's what we do.
Bill started commuting 90 minutes to and from work each day and still was only able to see his wife on weekends. He often appeared tired at work but it was clear he had a good work ethic and that he was going to be a good addition to this small facility. In fact, he certified on ground control/flight data in minimum hours in about 4 weeks.
Last week, Bill advised his NATCA rep that he wouldn't be staying too long. He received an offer from the Department of Defense Air Traffic Control facility that will considerably shorten his commute. In fact, for what he'd spend on a 1 bedroom apartment, he's found a house to rent located between his wife's job location and his new DoD facility and he'll cut his commute in half.
He won't be working under the draconian FAA Imposed Work Rules either.
Oh, did I mention he'll be paid 18K per year more with DoD than FAA?
And people wonder why the FAA is advertising on MySpace.
The DOD has become a sweet gig these days. Congratulations to Bill for getting a new job closer to his family and an 18k raise to boot. Its a shame the FAA is so poorly managed.
Posted by: moe | August 23, 2007 at 05:38 AM
I work in a facility with a total of 20 controllers. The fact we need at least 24 is another story. 5 of our controllers have bids in for DOD jobs. Get a clue FAA.
Posted by: oh boy | August 23, 2007 at 07:58 AM
I don't have all the details but an ATL tower DEV and his WCG wife working at A80 quit the other day. They both got DOD jobs in Las Vegas is what I heard. Seems they will make more than working at the busiest tower in the world.
Posted by: Brian | August 23, 2007 at 08:34 AM
We had a similar situation at my facility. An R-side trainee was on the virge of washing out around the time the IWR came into effect. He got smart and picked up a DOD job out west and now is making six figures doing half the work I am at my center, while the rest of us are stuck inside the developmental pay bands despite making CPC status. Makes me wonder why I'm still here...
Posted by: Impacted... | August 23, 2007 at 08:53 AM
I worked at the DoD before coming to the FAA. the pay wasn't the issue then, the boredom was.
Now that I am coming up on 50, I too will be looking at the DoD or VRA but eventually all those positions will be filled.
Unless the pay issue and IWR change, I'm out the door anyway I can.
Posted by: Management Wasting our taxes | August 23, 2007 at 08:55 AM
We had a retired military guy coming to our place. A contract tower opened up nearby that works about a tenth of our traffic, but pays more than we do. Guess where he is now?
Posted by: D | August 23, 2007 at 09:13 AM
We have a guy that failed out of Center after being selected on VRA. He wanted a tower job originally but FAA hired this military tower controller as a center controller prior to the new pay scale. This controller had been certified in 3 towers prior. When he failed out of center the FAA was kind enough to offer him a tower job finally, 3,000 miles from his center job and at his own expense. He wanted to stay where he was and there was a critically staffed tower right there, not to mention a 100 or so between us and him. The FAA would not budge and sent him packing, family and all to the great white north. You really just can't make this shit up.
Posted by: Dumbfounded | August 23, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Congrats Bill!!! To the manglement pukes reading this, wake the **** up!
Posted by: Bonanza Betty | August 23, 2007 at 11:39 AM
So how does one get hooked up with DOD job offerings?
Posted by: Concerned | August 23, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Go to usa jobs.com or google gs-2152. I've been on a list for 7 months. The Navy lets you fill out a online resume. Took me 2 hours. I think the DOD is still offering the retention pay. Have to check with a DOD buddy.
Posted by: Run2TheDoor | August 23, 2007 at 12:23 PM
I have 5 years in the military already (even thought the FAA doesn't count it) would that help in me getting hired for DOD?
Posted by: Recent AcademyPrisonGrad | August 23, 2007 at 07:48 PM
I personally think the military experience would help in the DOD job application process, assuming an honorable discharge. Your five years military will help eventually if you complete 20 years as a 2152 as it will add 5% of your retirement base pay to your government retirement annuity. I'd look for a DOD job right now and the DOD air traffic experience would probably be seen as a positive as well regarding any future FAA employment if the FAA ever gets its act together.
Posted by: lowskillset | August 25, 2007 at 01:10 AM