Only 5-10 Percent of OTS Hired?

flyingwriter Senior Member Niles, Michigan

I've heard a lot of rumors about the selection percentages of OTS candidates that apply to PUBNATs. Specifically, I've heard that only 5-10% of applicants get TOLs. Is there any concrete data stating this, or is it just more speculation? Obviously, no one but the FAA has the final word, but 5-10% does seem awfully low.

I realize people apply to multiple PUBNATs and that might skew the data somewhat.

polo708 Epic Member tower

Nobody here truly knows... its all speculation. With the amount of OTS applicants that actually apply and knowing the numbers that the FAA hires I wouldn't see 5-10% as much of a stretch. Unfortunately it will only get lower... the FAA is a bit backlogged with applicants who they have hired and prior-military and CTI applicants are applying left and right. They will get preference and the number of OTS hires will drop off quite a bit... in my opinion.

Davo Trusted Contributor VT

So far the only OTS hired from Pub 7 were those that had vet. preference. Since geo. preferences were sent out before last panel for that pub I wonder if that will be all that is going to be selected or if they will be combined with pub 8. If the next panel is not going to be until April there are going to be 2 graduating CTI classes (quarterly schedule) and who knows how many VRA applicants in the pool. I imagine those numbers are fairly accurate.

Queue Junior Member

But is that 5-10% of WQ applicants, of Q and WQ applicants, or of all applicants? I realize there are a lot of WQs out there (most people on the boards seem to be), but I imagine 10% of all applicants is a much different thing than 10% of WQs.

I don't know. We're never going to figure it out for sure, so I'm just hoping for the best. Even if they only hire 1% of WQ non-vet OTS candidates, I still have a shot.

callowayhd Newcomer

of the rumored 9,000 applicants for PUBNAT 8, if they hired 10% that would be 900, that is a lot.

You have to consider of all the applicants not everyone takes the ATsat, even fewer score WQ and even fewer persue it beyond the ATsat, even fewer get selected, even fewer pass the background check, even fewer go to the academy, even fewer graduate the academy, even fewer go to a facility, even fewer finish on the job training.

marklar84 Senior Member U.S.A....U.S.A.....U.S.A.

That is straight from the FAA's mouth. They told all the CTI program heads at their meeting a few months ago they plan on hiring around 75% of all CTI grads and only 5-10% OTS and 100% vet pref (minus the crazy ones cause its a federal law). A few of the program heads were upset that any OTS were being taken while CTI grads are "passed-up" and CTI should be basically a guaranteed interview. The FAA said that might change in the future, but thats the way it is now.

My 2 cents....now there is a HUGE surplus of applicants and much lower retirements...OTS hires are gonna drop off and CTI will pick up. Also, with pending obama budget cuts, it makes sense NOT to hire OTS...we cost more to train and have a higher wash rate.

RdRunnr12 Site Editor

Obama budget cuts? That guy is a spender, not a cutter.

bloomquis0t Senior Member

I've heard the same thing here at our CTI program from our director. We shall see.

ControlPhreeqBassGeek Senior Member Duluth, MN

Speculation, maybe. But it makes sense to me. I'd like to think that all of the many random tidbits from SMers are able to shed just a little light on the FAA's process.

stewart_1212 Junior Member Wichita

So when you say Vet Pref, are you talking VRA guys with previous ATC experience? Or are you talking OTS with vet pref?