CTI student wanting SoCal

nja0423 Junior Member

So I have applied and on my "referral list" it says that i my information has been sent throughout Puerto Rico. My question is, if I just graduated as CTI student and I want to go to SoCal, should i start calling some facilities in San Diego and speak with them about interest in working there? does this kind of thing work or when it comes time to interview should i take what i can get? my heart is definitely in SoCal as i have family there and already have a place to live. Ive heard in Puerto Rico they have "Terms" meaning after 3 years you can go to another facility. is this true?

polo708 Epic Member tower

Having no prior experience I highly doubt you would be able to "work the system" just by calling some facilities and talking to the manager. The interview is more of a meet and greet with a manager so they can just see how you are and make sure you arent some blind crazy nutjob asshole. It isnt so much about wheeling and dealing where you are going or anything like that.

If you dont like the offer they give you then decline it and wait for another one, but just know that it could be another year before you get another offer. Some applicants luck out and get one quicker than that, but ive seen horror stories here about declined offers. I suggest that if the place that is offered to you isnt so bad then take it... try to trade and if you have no luck put in for a transfer after a few years. Everyones hiring process will be a bit different based off of where you are going, CTI vs OTS, academy availability, etc...

If you want to go to SoCal make sure its on your preference list and cross your fingers. Tour a facility if you can and talk to some managers but I highly doubt it will get you anywhere.

TrafficDirector Rookie "THE" Lone-Star State

Panels are over and the facility you potentially might have is already chosen. They will hopefully be notifying CTIs that were selected in the next week or two. VRA's have started receiving phone calls and we are next in line. I have no clue on the Puerto Rico bit tho.

Good Luck!

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

SoCal is a busy mofo man, might be better to start @ the rico and then xfer up. I met a kid @ the PEPC and he was a OTS going to SoCal (random luck), I was like jesus, hes either insane, has huge balls, or is completely unimformed.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

Unless you're among the gifted trainees, you DO NOT want to start your career at a busy facility. Your chances of certifying at a busy air traffic facility are remote at best, you are better off starting out at a level 7 and becoming an FPL. After a few years experience then move up to a busier facility.

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

We ALL think we're gifted trainees. That's the problem. Just about all of us think we can handle a level 11 or 12. Same way everybody hates bad drivers but nobody thinks that they are one.

ColtsATC Trusted Contributor Indy

Perfect analogy.

Check your ego at door. I don't care how much research you have done into this job, actually sitting down and doing it is a whole other story. I'd be scared myself if I got ATL, NY, ORD, SoCal Tracons, etc. I'd want a few more years experience before I threw myself into that pit

ATCtower Epic Member

I have been told by officers in 4 states that im a good driver, they just keep critiqing my style...

mbalunda Epic Member

By all accounts ZID will be just as busy/difficult as those other facilities you listed. At least you have some experience already.

ColtsATC Trusted Contributor Indy

Not even close. We may work as many planes...but's over a MUCH larger airspace. Hell, we rarely even vector a plane. Just turn em 20 degrees left/right. We have a few rushes here and there, but it's nothing compared to those tracons