Returning to OKC Per Diem

RobertB Senior Member

How much per diem do I get when I return to OKC for RTF training?

My secretary at work said $79 and change which I know is not right because I got more the first time I went.

Someone on here mentioned $120 a day for returning employees, but this...
GSA - Domestic Per Diem Rates
... says I should get $150 a day for per diem. Roughly $4,500 for RTF...

Does anyone have an idea of what is the correct amount or have experience getting a cash advance from the FAA before heading to OKC for RTF training?

CLEATCT2010 Senior Member Ohio

I'll answer the last question first... you won't get a "cash advance" from the FAA (per diem or otherwise)... they don't like giving out money.

I've heard the $79 figure before. Keep in mind you still get paid your current salary while attending RTF. You got more in per diem the first time because you got paid less and you are here longer.

You'll probably want to keep digging, or even send an e-mail to HR. Perhaps someone else on here may know too.

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

dont forget "Current Salary" for RTF, is a lot of time LOWER than 1/2 the RTF class is making... D1 for lvl 12's owns a good portion of updown guys with twr only.

I do believe that people from the field make more in per diem though.

RobertB Senior Member

Basics and Tower Training was considered long term as is RTF. Why wouldn't I get the same or more for RTF? We are forced to go back to OKC for radar training so the FAA shouldn't even take into account our salaries when we return since we are required to return for RTF.

I don't want to get a government credit card and I have heard from multiple people that it is possible to get a cash advance from the FAA before going to OKC for RTF, airspace classes, etc. Anyone with experience of this please reply... I heard the FAA just electronically tranfers it to the same bank account that your pay goes to. Any experience would be appreciated...

RedBaron Academy Housing Provider Oklahoma City, OK

As a FAA employee you are eligible for a FAA Credit Union credit card. Why not get one of those for your trips to OKC?

Cheers,
The RedBaron

auburn_jenks Newcomer Alabama

you CAN receive an advance (up to 80%) of your per diem before leaving for RTF... i leave at the end of this month and have already processed the advance paperwork through my facility...

what is confusing me is that i am told by my facility that i am also receiving my mileage in full along with the advance and i want to make sure that is supposed to be the case. I cannot find anything in the Travel Policy about the advancement of mileage nor can i find the current mileage rates to confirm the amount of money i am supposed to receive...

anyone?

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

It doesn't matter whether you are a D-1 or a CPC when it comes to Per Diem rates and the FAA "DOES NOT" take into consideration what your salary is. The Per Diem rates are established by OPM.

j_time41 Senior Member Fargo, ND

I think you are all wrong.

First off, in the per diem section of stuckmic, you can find what you are going to make if you are located more than 25 miles away from OKC.
you get your base pay for whatever level you are at, plus your locality AT YOUR FACILITY, plus a food allowance, plus a lodging allowance. I am here right now and i am getting roughtly $92 a day JUST IN PER DIEM. This does not include my salary or locality.

DO NOT GET THE CREDIT CARD.
What happens if you get the card is that your housing pay (around $44 of your $92 a day) is automatically taken out even if you do not pay that much a day for your lodging facilities.

I did not take the cash advance, altho I know of a few returning students who have that are in RTF.

Its pretty much the same as you make at your facility with a couple grand bonus at the end of the month.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

J Time,

No one has said you don't receive your regular pay while attending RTF, you might want to think before you flick your lighter.

Per Diem is in addition to your pay, locality doesn't change, one thing to consider is driving because you will usually earn more in mileage than it cost you to drive.

keithkeys Trusted Contributor Somewhere out There

This is a question that requires someone who has done it before. From what I understand, you would just get per diem in addition to your regular pay. 92$ a day, no mileage.