Are swaps possible? (I'll trade SCT for NCT)

JohnnyB · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 01:01 PM

Anyone know if the FAA allows swaps, and if so, under what conditions? For instance, I got a friend in the academy right now who is going to NorCal Tracon (NCT), which is where I want to go, but I think he'd rather have SoCal Tracon (SCT), which is where I've been selected as of yesterday. Could I swap with him? If not, how about someone who's just been selected for NCT?

And along that note: Anyone get selected for NCT want to go to SCT???

Pants81 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 01:34 PM

You can swap but it really depends on where you are in the hiring process. It depends on the facility needs as well. I am not sure the full details, but if you ask around and make some phone calls to each facility who knows they may have a guy who would be willing who is right where you are in the process. Good luck bud.

Pants81 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 01:38 PM

Swaps are possible, I have done it.

JohnnyB · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 02:54 PM

Thanks Pants81, good to hear. At what point did you do your swap? I don't have an FOL yet, just the initial offer. I'm trying to decide whether to take it and try to swap, or hold out for NCT. I don't have too much in savings and even with a mediocre job can't weather the storm much longer with California's cost of living. I've only got 1 year before I turn 31, too...add on the fact I have to respond in less than 9 days, and I've got a tough choice ahead.

In a different but related question, what happens if I accept the offer, go through the process, get an FOL, but in the meantime find out from the facility I want to work at that they'd take me there if I put in another app? Do I have to redo the PEPC and all the paperwork, or would the next app go through all that much quicker if I backed out and re-applied? Not planning on doing that, but I like to be able to plan ahead for whatever could happen...

Pants81 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 03:39 PM

Honestly every situation is different I did not have the age limitation and it seemed that things kinda fell into place after I accepted the original location...In my opinion I would take that first deal and roll with it, try and call each facility and see what they can do, if all fails at least you have a job before your 31 and transfer later.

zabnut · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 12:10 AM

Word of advice, I strongly suggest you don't take an offer for a place you don't want to live. For the few you hear that get swaps you hear of others that almost ruin their lives to get somewhere they should have waited for all along.

SCT is one of the worst and hardest to staff facilities in the nation, the chances they would let you go are slim and none. Go figure, $34K to work and live in one of the highest cost of living areas in the nation.

JohnnyB · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 03:43 AM

Thanks for the advice. By "the worst" do you mean it's one of the worst places to work (if so, in what way?)?

And by the "hardest to staff", do you mean that no one wants to go there? Having grown up and lived in San Diego until a few years ago, I always thought it would be one of the hardest to get in to, that everyone would want to go there...but then again I was living off my parents and never had to experience the cost of living for myself.