Looks like I'll lay the basics down here. My wife was a Feb. OTS applicant and is on the last leg of the process. I'll do my best to get all the facts and time lines down as a framework so we all have a better idea of what to expect:
02/15- Announcement Closes.
3/11(ish)-Receive AT-SAT Authorization. Some got letter, others Email, and in my case neither! I was watching "the other forum" and saw abunch of people getting ther letter/email for my location and called Robinson Aviation and scheduled my test date. Robinson Aviation(RVA) is contracted out by the FAA to conduct the testing and scoring.
4/24- AT-SAT in Holtville, NY. She was told to expect her results in 7-10 Bus. Days, but she instead got them two days later.
5/2- Received Geographical Preference Email:
"Please use the url provided in this e-mail to submit answers in the following 2 areas:
You will see a list of states in the attached website, please choose up to 2 states where you desire to work.
There are 2 facility options available through the ATCS positions. We need your decision on whether you prefer to work:
the terminal option,
the en route option or
that you will accept either of these options.
The Terminal option controls air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations, information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, & other sources. Terminal Air Traffic Controllers transfer control of aircraft to the En Route Center controller when the aircraft leaves their airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into their airspace.
Air Traffic Controllers in the En Route (Center) option give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances and advice regarding flight conditions while en route between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying along the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports.
Please note that this e-mail is only for your use to provide your geographic and facility preferences to the Aviation Careers Division. This is not to be construed as a job offer. After you provide the required information using the link below we will provide an opportunity for your application to be reviewed for possible selection in the near future.
Please provide this information as quickly as possible, replies submitted after Friday, May 23, 2008 will diminish your ability to be selected for these positions."
5/23- Geo Pref closes. What ever your last pref. submision was is the one that is taken. Apparently they have a record of each time you might have changed your preference, but only the last one is selected.
6/6- Found out she made the referal list. Shows up in ASAP under the submitted tab.
6/9- Selection Panel begins meeting in OKC. Each state has a rep that goes to OKC and selects applicants for each facility in their state. Suggestion: if you are looking at a particular facility, it can never hurt to go visit that facility and meet the manager, see how they operate, and sell your desire to work there. If it's not possible to visit, give them a call and let them know your interested in working there.
6/25- Received email invitation to PEPC:
Thank you for responding to our inquiry regarding your consideration for an air traffic control specialist position with the FAA.
Based on your response, we have reserved a place for you to attend the ATCS Pre-Employment Processing Center (PEPC) which will be held in New York City, NY July 9 or 10 2008. The PEPC will include your interview and, if you are tentatively selected, you will receive a Tentative Offer Letter providing specific information on your facility assignment, salary, etc. In addition, a security screening, medical evaluation, psychological evaluation, and drug testing will be completed.
All of these activities will take place during one day - Monday or Tuesday for EnRoute selections and Wednesday or Thursday for Terminal selections. Your start time will be provided in your confirmation email. Please be prepared for an all-day event. You will need to make advanced arrangements should you require overnight lodging. All travel costs incurred will be at your expense.
This is what you need to do:
· Respond to this email to
xxxxxxxxxxx@faa.gov.
· Identify the day you will be able to attend – either July 9 or 10 2008
· Respond by (06-30-08).
I am copying our Air Traffic Organization PEPC coordinator, Terri Owens, on this email so she will have all of your contact information and be prepared to receive your response. Once you have confirmed that you will attend, she will send you all of the detailed information about the PEPC program and enrollment, including forms that must be completed prior to your arrival.
Again, thanks for responding.
7/10- Attended PEPC. She showed up for the PEPC at 11am and gave her SF-85(terminal) at check in. Had her interview with one of the facility mangers. When she finished that she was given her TOL and moved on to the next open station. There is no set order for the day because they move you where spots need to be filled with bodies. The rest of the events were MMPI(psych eval: 370 T/F questions), security clearance paper work filled in on a computer, finger printing, hearing test, vision, EKG/Blood pressure, drug test and basic physical(height/weight/reflexes). Finally she met with HR again and was given a tenative academy start date of 9/8. Some got tenative dates others did not. This was in part due to the end of the FY happening at the end of Sept.
Presently she is still waiting for the FOL so her tenative date could still hold or she might be set back to Oct. so thats getting kind of crazy as 9/8 is soon approaching. Her HR Rep has been busy with the other two PEPC's in Memphis and Chicago so her FOL has been delayad as a result.
Hope this helps!
Public Announcement Process
