Need some advice...

Slowpoke Newcomer

Hello all, I would like to explain my situation first before I ask questions. Let me first say, that I did do a search on this, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for.

I am a prior military controller, 6 year enlistment, honorable discharge. Most of my military experience was down in radar, although I did get to go upstairs for a few months. While I was in the tower I got FD, and ground, halfway through local I had to go back to the radar because of manning issues. So I do not have a CTO.

I separated from the military in early 2008, after a little over a year I was picked up by the FAA under VRA. I attended, and completed the academy, and reported to my enroute facility. Everything was going fine, never once got into any trouble. About a month short of my probation period, my wife's family suffered two extremely serious medical emergencies. She was going to have to move back home (across the country) to take care of her mother. We have three kids, and I just couldn't see sending her off to handle this alone. I made a really poor choice, and resigned my position. I didn't speak with NATCA, and I didn't go into much detail about the issue with any of the management. I was under the impression that I would have another opportunity with the FAA.

Time has passed, and things have settled down now for my family and myself. I've been looking to get back into the FAA, but for months now, I've seen nothing but CTI announcements. It's going on seven months now since I was with the FAA, and my question is simply this....what should I do? Will the FAA open up VRA announcements again? What are the chances I would get hired again? How do the reinstatement bids work? If I used part of my MGIB to get a CTO cert, would a contract company hire me even though all of my ATC experience is radar? Sorry for the question overload, I'm just kinda lost with what to do next. Thanks a bunch in advance for any advice anybody would like to give me.

GolfJuliet F*** Terrorism

You should have talked to NATCA because you would've probably qualified for a hardship transfer. The FAA will open up VRA announcements again, just give them some time. Applying REINST is no different than VRA as far as the hiring process goes. I would look at your eligibility though. Since you were still on probation I'm not sure if that makes you ineligible or not. Also I'm assuming you never became a CPC which is something else you should look at. As far as your chances of getting hired, no one knows that. It's pretty much a shot in the dark. I'm not sure about contract stuff, but I'm sure someone else will be able to chime in with some more info.

buckeye10 Junior Member

The only thing I can tell you is that in order to be eligible for reinstatement, you have to have 52 consecutive weeks as a 2152 so you won't be eligible for that. I would just apply under another vra announcement and hope you get picked up. Keep an eye open in aug./sept. for the some announcements to open up.

NovaZDC Rookie

Yeah, what buckeye said is 100 percent correct. I think they release about 2 or 3 announcements per year which usually the first one starting the beginning of the fiscal year or so. Sept. is usually a good bet.

Slowpoke Newcomer

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll continue to keep my eye open for VRA announcements and hope for the best.