Working the system

Dealbreaker Newcomer

Here is a question for all seasoned you FAA controllers. A buddy and I are trying to stay in the region we currently reside as ANG controllers and have our hearts set on getting a job with the center that's in our area. We both love the area and know the airspace. With the little knowledge we have of the FAA hiring process our hopes are not high for simply applying and hoping that everything works in our favor.

The plan we have is to set up a meeting/tour with the ATM, express our desire to work there, mention a few connections and personally hand him our resumes. Is this a good idea? If you have any information that may help point us in the right direction of getting hired for a particular spot please let us know. Any connections via PM would also be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

polo708 Epic Member tower

Its a great idea... I worked FCT at a tower in the area and got in good with the manager at the international airport I wanted to work at and I magically got picked up there on the very next panel. The managers are able to request certain people. No guarantee they will get them, but they can request you if they like you enough. Since you are a certified controller(i assume) they may be more motivated about getting you hired there and trade in a favor.

mtlatc Epic Member In a bus down by the river!

I'm gonna go with no..

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

Trust me, a non-FAA controller walking into a facility and handing the manager their resume isn't going to go anywhere other than probably the trash can. You have to apply via the vacancy announcements. As mentioned in another post a manager can specifically request certain individuals once they are in the hiring pool and hopefully get them, but in 25 years I've never heard of someone walking into a facility and handing a manager their resume and getting hired.

Dealbreaker Newcomer

At the very least I will say that is good news. I will take a maybe over a NO any day. We are certified and do know the local flying area well which may play in our favor as well... I hope.

We will of course apply via vacancy announcements but thought it would be better to hand him our resume first and ask him his opinion on how we should go about applying.

Any words of wisdom on how to get in good?

polo708 Epic Member tower

Just to clarify, handing the AMT your resume wont get you hired like Mike said, but it will let them see your qualifications and show that you are serious. You must still apply online. Then when the hiring panels come around the representative who is in charge of hiring for your region sometimes has a "dream sheet" from random managers containing applicants they would like to have there. If they can get them to specific locations they will try. If you arent in the online "system" then you are invisible to them.

The key is to get the manager to believe that you can help them out there. Having military experience and motivation will go far. Just be respectful and come off as someone they would want to work along side.

And dont mind mtlact, I dont think he is even in the FAA yet.

mtlatc Epic Member In a bus down by the river!

Word. That mtlact is a real tool. On the other hand mtlatc has been working day to day with ATMs for the last few (10 or so...) years and has been told the days of cherry picking are all but done. It can still happen but it is rare. You are correct Polo I don't start the FAA until May.....lol

If you don't see the humor in this post...sorry....

jamie10584 Senior Member

I was "cherry picked" this last panel.

DASAUTO Banned

Did you feel violated at any point?

Cirrus12 Epic Member So. NH

I don't see a physical copy of a resume doing much. Go in and talk to him and tell him how fantastic you are at everything you've ever done. And if we've learned anything from the "training" sessions in Atlanta getting him drunk and buying him a hooker can't hurt.