Is it worth it?

STLATCER Rookie

Do you think it is worth leaving a GS -12 DOD ATC job for the FAA if you like the job you have now? Sometimes I feel like I put to much emphasis on the FAA and was wondering if anyone had any insight, who have been back and forth between the two.

Thanks.

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

If you like where you are, facility/home, with no intentions of moving and you have no desire to move to a management position, I'd probably stay DoD.

SkylinesSuck Senior Member asleep at work

x2

The majority of FAA jobs aren't going to make as much as a GS12 who's pulling down 30% locality pay and 5% premium pay. Some will, but not all. Then factor in the pain in the ass of having to retrain, get paid very little for a while, and be the new guy all over again, not worth it in my mind. I have no intentions of ever going FAA, but things could always change.

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

Noid is correct. If you love life, there is no reason to leave.
I really enjoyed my time in the military and almost stayed in due to it, so requested two things happen to make it worth my 20 years. The mil didnt cave to my requests so I got out, but I WOULD HAVE stayed....

Dont forget regardless how awesome of a controller you think you are, there are always things/factors/situations that can cause you to wash out. Leaving a GS12 job you love for the FAA, only to get a shitty LVL12 location that you wash out of, then get some lvl 7 twr... Thats a lot of hassle for the exact same pay... minus the cost of two MOVES!

The grass isnt always greener.

TomOZR Rookie

I've worked for both. In the FAA you will feel connected to what's going on in the ATC world. There's more room for professional development. There's more variety in your day to day work. The down side is it is a lot harder to get time off, you have to put up with the union/management bs, and seniority will raise it's ugly head. In my experience with DOD, while the traffic at times was busy it was pretty dull. We were the last to learn about anything in the ATC world. But as a group we were more like family in the facility and most people were eager to help another controller when they could. Time off was easier to get, and there was no seniority to worry about when came schedules and so forth. While management could be annoying sometimes, they were not the enemy. We all tried harder to get along with each other in DOD. So while my experience may be different than others here, I believe that it pretty much reflects the difference between working for the FAA and the DOD. TC

STLATCER Rookie

Thanks for the replies, I kinda feel the same way as all of your posts. My facility is not slow and is certainly not boring, and I love the area. I have a TOL for a lvl 10 and it will prob be another 2 years before I am even offered a class date, so I have some time.

flyinrico Trusted Member 6 XXX 7 EXX00 10 XXX..OKC..BHM

Good information from those of you on the "greener/FAA" side...now ask yourself would your decision be the same if it was a GS10 or 11?!?

PR_S14 Rookie

I am a GS-11. I start OKC on the 14th. I guess I'll see what all the hype is about, lol. (Damn, I hope it's better, ha)

LiveStrong Banned

I think this is a question only you and your family can answer. There are GS-11/12 positions at certain locations that I would not leave to go to the FAA for, but there are other locations I would.

I left a GS-11 job without even having a TOL for the FAA or another DOD position. I was unhappy where I was at, and resigned.

Most DoD positions have better schedules, can take leave on moments-notice, and have an overall better relationship with "management." The FAA pays better (or will in 2012, anyways), but schedules suck and everything is based off your seniority, of which you wont have any.

If the FAA facility is in an area you love and want to live for a long time, go for it. However, if you're doing it just for the money, and leaving a DOD location you enjoy...you may regret it.

I always thought that conditions/location didn't matter, and that just having a gs-2152-11/12 was the most important thing, until I was in a situation that i hated. Money isn't everything..opt for happiness!!

I realize my situation was a tad different, but still similar. Like I said, though, do what makes you happier/less stressed...and dont just focus on higher income.

LiveStrong Banned

It was more the location of the facility, not the people/work, that influenced my decision.