Hiring Questions

ATCMarine84 Trusted Member Home of the Packers!!

Hey Everyone,

Been on here now for a while and I've gotten some great information but wanted to just come out and ask some questions. As of today I am exactly one year from being out of the Marines and available to the ATC civilian world.

I realize I'm still a bit far out but my questions pertain to any information that anyone might be able to provide in regards to taking steps to getting hired to either or both FAA and Contract Towers. This past year has flown by so I can only imagine how my last year in will go. I want to get a jump start on anything I can now because I have seen WAY TOO MANY of my peers get out THEN look for jobs and most end up sitting around collecting unemployment.

I would like to know when I can start applying or when would be the best time? I have 2 CTO's and I truly want to have a job lined up and ready and know where I'll be off to next before this time next year so I'm not out and sitting on my hands. Basic info of me... 25, 2 CTO's willing to work anywhere but my heart is set on Colorado or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. I'm from Wisconsin but want to be near the the mountains.

Thank you in advance to anyone who provides information and has any tips, resume help, or contacts so that I can begin planning for my future in ATC.

ATCMarine84

polo708 Epic Member tower

Apply now...my hiring process took over a year from application to actually going to the academy(prior-USAF ATC)... if it comes to crunch time you can easily delay the Academy by a few months. Better for you to delay a month or two than get out and wait a few months extra. Do it now IMO. You will need your DD-214 by the time you get your firm offer letter tho.

Pants81 Trusted Member Indiana

Polo is right buddy, if you can do it know.....it is a fun waiting game.

ATCMarine84 Trusted Member Home of the Packers!!

Thanks a lot for the heads up. I have another buddy who's getting out in 9 months and passed that same info on to him so we'll both be putting in here in the next few weeks. Also, I went to the USAJOBS VRA posts and it says that "must be on terminal leave"... Will that affect me or is there a spot to to put when I'd be available?

polo708 Epic Member tower

It wont ask you anything until your firm offer letter... everyone applies early because we all know how long the process takes.

ATCMarine84 Trusted Member Home of the Packers!!

great, thanks for the quick response.

zimm1979 Newcomer S. Korea

Like ATCMarine84, I too have a year left in the service (USAF). I am currently starting 7level training, but I will not receive the rating until just prior to separation - if I do separate. Would this preclude or make it harder for me to be hired on at a Contract Tower? I am currently at my third tower with five years experience (second tower if you don't count the deployment).

I would like to get on with the FAA, but at the time I start terminal leave I will have seven months until my 32nd Birth day. Any suggestions, or am I stuck only working Contract gigs?

Thanks in advance!!

polo708 Epic Member tower

"7 level" doesnt mean much to FCT's... its not a requirement so dont sweat it too much if you dont get it.

Durden Trusted Member

That is great news. Just a 5 level here.

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

however...when applying for a FCT job don't bother applying a year out, or even 9 months out. wait until ur AT LEAST 3 months or less from either terminal leave or separation (whichever is first).