Relocate or Reapply?

ATCmom Junior Member Virginia Beach, VA

Hey All.. I'm back for a new question and hopefully to receive some useful advice from my fellow SM peeps..

I was selected for Daytona International back in June, I haven't yet recieved my FOL but my HR rep has informed me that I will sometime before April and I will have a class date in April.. I currently live in Va Beach and since then have gotten engaged (my fiance is Navy and cannot relocate anytime soon) and am now stuck with the decision to take Daytona and put in an ERR or to turn down the Daytona offer and reapply for VA and hope to get Norfolk International. My question is, if I do go to DAB, how long do I have to wait to put in an ERR and is it guaranteed that I'll be able to do so and get the facility I want? OR If I turn down the offer and reapply, what are my chances of getting reselected on a VRA? Are my chances better if I apply under a different announcement and use my 5 Point Veterans Pref?

Thanks for any input you guys have on this..

polo708 Epic Member tower

The way hiring is going lately your best bet(in my opinion) is to take the current offer and try for an ERR. Who knows how long you will be waiting if you pull your application and start over.

hotvedt Trusted Member stillwater

I turned down amarillo last feb and haven't got past referals since. Take if you really want to do this.

jonesy Rookie

Take it! I was offered DAY then HR called me and offered BIS I turned that down back in September. I emailed her yesterday asking if I can change my mind and take BIS. Her response was. "DAY nor BIS has slots to fill at this time, hiring has been reduced by one third"

noid Curtis E. Carr Jawja

There is no minimum time requirement for an ERR. After you get certified, I'd put in the ERR paperwork the next day. You may not get released right away, but if the facility is being difficult, in the new contract the FAA has 6mos to give you a firm transfer date.

If you were to apply for an announcement, that is where you would have a time limit of 52 weeks.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

They definitely prefer you to be fully certified before you ERR, but I have seen a few rare cases where developmentals were able to ERR to another similiar facility. It doesn't hurt to call your HR person that you have been dealing with, explain your situation and see if there is any way possible they could send you to ORF instead. Either HR will tell you "NO" or you might luck out and they help you out, but you won't know unless you ask.

RFDATM Trusted Member IL

Usually the ERRs that get approved before a developmental certifies are those where the training is not going well and the facility is a lower level.

GolfJuliet F*** Terrorism

Not sure what an ERR is, but would it be to early to put in for a hardship transfer? Or does getting married not qualify as a hardship?

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

My recommendation:

If you want to go to VA, see if there is someone selected for VA and ask for a swap. I don't know the rules to the letter, but I believe it's no problem so long as you are at the same stage in the hiring process/training program. That would be my ONLY recommendation.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.


If you REALLY just want in the FAA, go to Daytona. Otherwise, maybe look for an FCT (assuming you have a CTO) near your husband's base and work there until you get rehired. Also, don't be afraid to talk to your HR rep. They're actually quite approachable. I'm sure that if you pose these questions, they should be able to help you out with your options. Although they probably won't "advise" you, they should be able to say "well, if you don't take this one, I'm not sure when the next offer will come", etc.

Good luck.

RFDATM Trusted Member IL

Employee Requested Reassignment and although you're right about marriage - doesn't apply in this case