PUBNAT vs VRA

pbeberly Rookie

I have been applying under the VRA for the past two years and took the AT-SAT recently and scored "WQ." My question is how are people being hired off the street over me when I have veteran's preference? I thought it was a federal law that a veteran get's hired over civilians.

DASAUTO Banned

You have 52 weeks of qualifying previous ATC experience, right? If you dont have ATC experience, then you can't apply under the VRA announcement. You can apply OTS, and you still have preference points, but those are pref points over OTS applicants, not VRA applicants.

SkylinesSuck Senior Member asleep at work

Who knows what the FAA is thinking. Why would any OTS people get hired when there are already rated controllers out there.

ShockSniper Rookie

Do you have ATC experience? Take a look at this VRA ASAP - View Announcement

"Minimum Qualifications : Applicants must possess 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience in a military or civilian air traffic control facility which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the level of work. This experience must have provided a comprehensive knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the movement of air traffic; knowledge of aircraft separation standards and control techniques; and the ability to apply them properly, often under conditions of great stress. ***VRA Eligibility Requirements***: The following veterans are eligible: 1. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability rating of 10% or more; or 2. Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal was awarded; or 3. Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was awarded on or after June 1, 1992; or 4. Veterans who have separated from active service (for other than training purposes) within the last three years. In addition to the above criteria, all veterans must have been discharged under general or honorable conditions"

drsarp22 Rookie

If you are applying VRA you dont take AT-SAT.

RadarContact Scope Dope High Desert TRACON

I'm guessing he/she applied under the VRA and also PUBNAT applications to increase the odds of getting hired.

jamie10584 Senior Member

Maybe you picked states that weren't hiring? Or were hiring very little?

pbeberly Rookie

I applied to PUBNAT to increase my odds and yes I have 52 weeks of consecutive experience, hence, why I applied under the VRA. To make my question more clear... Why do they hire people from PUBNAT & CTI announcements when there are people like me with veteran's preference and "52 weeks of qualifying experience?"

DASAUTO Banned

Probably to avoid paying you the $20K bonus...

Davo Trusted Contributor VT

Maybe you should check over your application/profile on ASAP again and make sure you filled out the military background section properly. I mean no insult by saying that but it could be a reason.

There are only 3 other reasons I can think of:

The state you picked didn't pick up anyone or another vet. I imagine a reinstatement hire may interest hiring management as well.

Networking: the CTI/OTS applicant knows or got to know management at the facility they wanted. I am not sure if the panel can just pass you over if this is the case but could be an explanation.

The CTI/OTS applicant also has vet. pref. I am a CTI graduate with 6 years active duty that was not in ATC so I can not apply VRA but I hope it will help at the panel. The only OTS hired at the last panel I know of had vet. pref.