GEO. Preference

Hey everyone, I know there are a few threads for the first few PUBNATS and where they have eventually received offers.

I scored a 87.5 on my AT-SAT from PUBNAT 4 and hopefully if they ever get around to it I will be getting the GEO pref at some point.

I was wondering if any one has an idea of what locations would give the best shot at getting an offer. I have looked through staffing levels but from what I understand it is way behind with accurate information.

I am at a point right now where if needed I could move to another part of the country to get a job but would prefer to stay somewhat around my current area.

I live in Ohio now and would love to get any type of position around Cleveland, Cincinnati or even the Detroit area. Reading through most offers others have received I didn't notice to many people getting offers from any Ohio/Kentucky/Michigan area.

For those who have already been through the process from what I understand you get to pick 2 states and thats it.

-Is there an option to specific what facilities you are most interested or do they just pick the center needing people at that time and place you there?
-can you select nationwide like you could for the application to ensure you would be placed somewhere, would you recommend doing this seeing as how most likely this would end up with them placing you into facilities no one wanted?

Thanks in advance I love the site and there has been so much info that I have never really had to ask many questions.

You pick two locations. I don't remember being able to pick a certain facility. I think they also ask what county in those states you are willing to work in. I got selected for Dayton Ohio tower. I am waiting for them to set me up an interview in Manchester, NH. hopefully I can can get them to switch me to ZBW or another facility in this area.
Good luck to you!

You don't get to pick a specific facility, just two states, plus there is a comments box that may or may not get read.

Take it from me, if you are not absolutely prepared to take any offer in a given state, regardless of location, DO NOT LIST IT. I know there are some people who just don't care, but if there is a facility in a state that you know is FAA run and you know you'd be absolutely miserable working there due to pay, location, etc., assume that you'd get that facility, particularly if your AT-SAT score is down the line a little bit in the "well qualified" category.

I just say this because it may spare some of you folks some heartbreak or tough decision-making once they start sending out PEPC invites in a few months.

PUBNAT 2 - I picked OH and MI. Check my AT-SAT score on my sig.

Not selected. Be careful what you pick.

__________________
9/1/07 - CTI School (CCBC)
5/2/08 - Applied PUBNAT2
5/28/08 - Selected for AT-SAT
7/8/08 - AT-SAT 93.8% (CHI)
8/11/08 - Geo Preferences
9/8/08 - Made Referral List
10/14/08 - Pissed

If you are concerned with where you will go you should go to the facilties you wish to work at. Set up a tour and try and make your way to the facility manager. I did this on the 21st and it worked out for me. I want to work in okc and they are short handed at this time. It does help that I did ATC in the USAF first and applied vra but i also applied for pubnat 4. Also, don't worry about that score it doesn't determine how qualified you are.

I believe it has EVERYTHING to do with your preferences though. I got stuck with ZME, which is 400 miles away from where I live instead of ZTL, which is about 50. The ONLY difference between me and others who got ZTL were a few points (4 points in one case!) on the AT-SAT.

Did you go and speak with the facility manager? If you put a face and a personality with a score you could be picked befroe a person who got a 95 and say you got a 87. Just think about how many people don't take the time to go see the facility they wish to work at. By visiting the facility it shows that you are more committed to ATC than the average joe that is going to sit and wait.

My thing is I am looking more for a general area and there are a few different places I would prefer to get an offer. I was thinking about doing that, but dont really know the right way to approach it. Is there somewhere to find the email address of the person in charge of the centers? how would you find the phone numbers?

For instance (sorry I don't know the codes) the Cleveland Hopkins tower in cleveland ohio. How does one go about setting up a tour I think it would seem awkward to just have some guy off the street call in and ask about the tower information.

lol If I plan on doing this for a few different locations and I keep calling around to scout them out next thing I know I will end up on a watch list for the government....

Also has anyone received an offers from the greater Cincinnati airport? I know it is physically in kentucky but part of Cincinnati. For Geo pref. what stat would this cover ohio or kentucky?

Yup, spoke to him ahead of time, did a facility tour, and I was on his selection list. Called him up afterward and he said that any list that he forwards on is merely a suggestion to those actually doing the selections. Ultimately whatever standards they decided to put into place (he had no idea what criteria they used either) is what goes.

My only assumption is that they had so many people requesting Georgia that they raised the bar on AT-SAT scores and just weren't even considering anyone lower than that, regardless of whom you'd spoken to. I think it is a little ridiculous, since I doubt anyone could produce any hard evidence that someone making a 95 on the test vs a 90 would do a better job, but that's evidently the way they apparently handled things.

It is dumb for them to choose like that. Im trying for OK and he didn't promise me i would be hired there but did promise one of the two facilities I wanted. Maybe the guy I spoke to has more pull, Im not really sure. Also, the people that were picked before you may have had more avaition experience. Don't they just go by well qualified and qualified? I figured if they are going to put it in catagories the number might not matter.