Terms
Actual on board (AOB): The number of CPC's currently assigned to a facility.
Projected Staffing: Future staffing number using numerous inputs, including number of trainees and pass rate, predicted retirements, inbound/outbounds, etc., over the training cycle.
Training Cycle: The estimated time it takes for someone to complete training, start to finish, based off historical success rates.
Priority Placement Tool (PPT): Spreadsheet HR uses to generate facility priority lists.
Priority Placement List: Prioritized list generated by the PPT. Inputs are weighted and include facility level and type, current and projected staffing, and hard-to-staff.
Categories: Facilities are placed in one of three categories:
- Category 1: AOB and projected staffing levels are above 90%.
- Category 2: AOB and projected staffing is above 85%.
- No category: AOB or projected staffing levels do not meet the above criteria.
Overview
This section outlines the NCEPT process.- Dates for the NCEPT meeting and deadlines for ERR submission are posted.
- Shortly before the NCEPT meeting, the PPT is used to generate the finalized priority list.
- Eligible packages are forwarded to facility ATM's. If there are multiple requests to the facility, they "rank" their wish-list. This wish-list only factors in when more available applicants than available slots exist.
- Selections are filled from highest priority to lowest at facilities with vacancies. Once a person is selected, they are removed from any other consideration.
- TOL's will be sent within two weeks, and must be accepted or declined. There is no penalty for declining an offer. Release dates will then be set as follows:
- Cat 1: within 3 months, extendable to 6 at employee request.
- Cat 2: within 12 months.
When is a facility eligible to release someone?
When they meet one of the category criteria.How are available slots determined?
All levels: An available slot is given to a facility to bring its projected staffing up to 85%. Facilities will not be eligible to select is the trainee-to-total controller ratio is 30% or higher.
Levels 4-9: After considering all ERR's with the above criteria, a facility may be allocated selections to bring its projected staffing up to 100% in "extenuating circumstances".
Levels 10-12: May be allocated selections to bring its projected staffing up to 100% at NCEPT panel discretion.
What do I need to do to file/remove an ERR?
Article 42 section 5 of the Slate Book lists the requirements. Submit your ERR packages to the target facility's regional HR office. To remove an ERR on file (or find out which ERR's you have on file), call or email your regional HR. ERR's stay on file for 15 months.
Refer to this post for pay grade codes.
What factors are considered?
The eligibility for being considered for an ERR uses only one factor; your facility staffing. There is nothing an individual can do to improve/lessen their eligibility.
For a selection, the receiving facility staffing is the primary factor. If they are eligible to make selections, and more than one person is available to transfer to a facility, the ATM ranking may be used to determine who is selected.
How long will I have to wait to be selected somewhere?
Indefinitely. There is nothing in place to guarantee you will ever be eligible to transfer. Additionally, there is nothing to differentiate CPC's from each other when being considered for release. No merit based factors are considered at any point in this process. (EX: A newly certified CPC can jump a CPC with any amount of time or qualifications, based solely on the facilities where transfer requests are placed.)
What happens if someone turns down an offer?
Nothing. Once the NCEPT panel finishes, there are no future considerations, regardless of the acceptance/declination of offers. IE: no one else will be able to "replace" the outgoing slot of the person who declined an offer.
Because of this, TOLs which are declined have the potential to effectively block a facility release/selection, and it is highly encouraged for individuals to remove ERRs for facilities where an offer would be declined. If you need help with this, please visit the ERR removal thread.
Are swaps affected?
Yes, swap eligibility is based on the facilities staffing relative to the national average. If either facility's AOB or projected is less than 5% lower than the national average, the swap will be denied.
Additionally, swaps are only considered after the NCEPT ERR process is complete.
What is my pay when I transfer?
Transferring to a higher facility: 50% of the difference between your basic pay and the bottom of the CPC band of the new facility is added to you basic pay upon transfer. The remaining 50% is added to your basic pay upon certification.
Transferring to a lower facility: Basic pay is retained, up to the maximum of the new facility's CPC band.
See the Pay (FAQ) thread for more in depth information.
Do you have to attend the academy if you change career tracks (en route/terminal)?
From the 3120.4:
CPCs transferring from the En Route option to the Terminal option or from the Terminal option to the En Route option need not attend initial qualification training for the new option or facility type at the FAA Academy. The specialist will be entered into the appropriate stage of field training as determined by the receiving facility ATM.
En Route developmentals changing to a Terminal option, Terminal developmentals changing to the En Route option, and Terminal developmentals changing to a different facility type must attend initial qualification training for the new option or facility type.
Additionally, there is no job jeopardy if you return.
