Potomac TRACON - PCT

LTKL Newcomer NC

Anybody reporting to PCT soon? I am returning from LWOP (military) next week! Can't wait to get back and start (all over again)
How's the trainee backlog? I'm I going to be joining a traffic jam?

atcbrownie Trusted Member Warrenton Va

Yes unless you are going to the James River area.

LTKL Newcomer NC

I'm not sure what area yet. Any rough estimate on AG to D1 timeframe?

atcbrownie Trusted Member Warrenton Va

depends on the area. I am in the Shenandoah area and I got to PCT late sept 09 D1 mid Feb 10 but I have military experience and checked out on IAD departures in minimum hours. I know a few people that got here in Dec and still have not started the labs. With the current backlog of trainees I would not expect D1 till at least 8 months from start.

mmactuba Rookie Maryland

I can't give you the estimate on AG to D1, as that really depends on the person and what area you go to.
But as far as the trainee backlog goes -- Shenandoah is the only area with people waiting to get into the Labs for training. If you work smart and know your stuff, you shouldn't have to spend too much time waiting for the other areas, although we are supposed to get some more trainees here in the next few months.

VBeachR32 Junior Member

How does it work on progressing thru the payband? Once u check out on a sector, r u a D1 and then the next sector is a D2 and so on?? I am currently a D2 at a Up/Down lvl 9 and am trying to get an ERR into PCT and am wondering what ur manning is? I dont see any bids out for PCT

atcbrownie Trusted Member Warrenton Va

It depends on the area that you are in. For shenandoah you need 3 radar positions and flight data to get D1. I think mount vernon is also 3, chesapeake is 2 and james river is either 1 or 2.

klessmastime Newcomer

hopefully I'll be headed to pct by the winter. I'm ots will hopefully begin basics in mid august...

question with folks familiar with commuting to pct on a daily basis: how's the traffic during the times leading up to the usual shifts? I'm from the dc area (montgomery county md) and am thinking about commuting from Rockville/Gaithersburg...

mmactuba Rookie Maryland

You probably don't want to commute from MoCo for too long, as that drive will definitely get old after a while! While you are training in the back (3-4 + months), all your shifts will be 7am-330pm anyway. The morning rush hour is fine (aside from maybe 495) as you're driving opposite direction on I66. For the afternoons, expect to spend more time in traffic. I-495 can be horrendous between Tysons & Connecticut Ave on certain days.

I lived in Anne Arundel County, and after 2 weeks, I was pulling my hair out from the drive, so I would seriously consider moving to VA within your first couple of months. Don't worry too much about that decision now though -there are plenty of people at the facility going through the same situation, and everyone will have plenty of good advice for you once you get there this winter. Good Luck!!

klessmastime Newcomer

@mmactuba

thx for the advice... i guess I'll feel out the first couple mos and see what happens...

in other news I got my TOL for 08/19/10 TRACON basics today!

I guess that puts me at PCT mid-Nov?