Hiring Bid Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee: FAA-ATO-18-ALLSRCE-57792

Turns out that the scores from the CBI Basics course that just finished up were so low that they've decided to recycle the entire class back through the traditional Basics course, even the ones who passed. So they're starting all over from Day 1 of traditional Basics, and lengthening their stay in OKC by 5 weeks.
 
Turns out that the scores from the CBI Basics course that just finished up were so low
Scuttlebutt I heard is that the class average was around 20%... not sure if I totally believe that because with a four-option multiple-choice test you figure you'd have to be actively trying to get anything below 25%. But yeah, sucks to be them. Jeez.
 
That’s crazy, isn’t the normal basics pass rate something like 90+%? You wouldn’t think just reading the material on a screen vs. have someone tell it to you would make such a difference.
 
That’s crazy, isn’t the normal basics pass rate something like 90+%? You wouldn’t think just reading the material on a screen vs. have someone tell it to you would make such a difference.
Not really most instructors will go over the material that's on the test or that's pertinent. I haven't seen the blackboard stuff, but if I had to guess they give alot more info than an instructor would.
 
That’s crazy, isn’t the normal basics pass rate something like 90+%? You wouldn’t think just reading the material on a screen vs. have someone tell it to you would make such a difference.

I mean I just click through CBIs and hope I remember something from it. Lol

I couldn't imagine staring at a screen for 5 weeks and expect to get 80% or better on a test. I am much more of a learn by doing kind of person. I imagine many other people struggle with applying dry content as well.
 
Scuttlebutt I heard is that the class average was around 20%... not sure if I totally believe that because with a four-option multiple-choice test you figure you'd have to be actively trying to get anything below 25%. But yeah, sucks to be them. Jeez.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s not true. I don’t know what the class average was, but only 4 people actually failed. However since that’s much higher than historical fail rates, and the highest score in the class was only an 83% (usually the highest is something like 98%), they decided to recycle them all. I think the main concern was that if they went on to fail their Tower evals, they’d be able to successfully argue that some of them would have passed if their Basics instruction wasn’t flawed.

I mean I just click through CBIs and hope I remember something from it. Lol

I couldn't imagine staring at a screen for 5 weeks and expect to get 80% or better on a test. I am much more of a learn by doing kind of person. I imagine many other people struggle with applying dry content as well.

The CBI class was actually only 3 weeks long instead of the normal 5 weeks, and some of the lessons that were less relevant to ATC were trimmed down or eliminated. I get the feeling that the course will be retooled and brought back at some point in the future, and new hires will unfortunately likely continue to be the guinea pigs for these new courses.
 



Yeah, the food isn't super great but it is super free, so that's nice. They always have make-your-own-salad as a fallback. Management is understaffed and slow to respond about issues but they get things done eventually. Wifi/internet is super slow and spotty (although sometimes it's super fast, but still spotty). There's a shuttle direct to/from MMAC—in the mornings it's about half an hour, afternoons around 35 min, at midnight coming home about 20 min (but it doesn't leave until 12:10 because it swings around to check for any stragglers).

They do have a "study lounge" at the facility with enroute maps and a terminal tabletop and lots of strips to play around with. They also have an okay fitness center—cardio machines, exercise machines, free weights, basketball court, swimming pool. Not a huge selection of anything but enough to keep you busy.
Basketball court!?! I'm fixing to break all y'all's ankles
 
Don't pay it. Contact HR.
Yeah wasn't gonna. Just thought it was funny and honestly I expected as much. When I called and set up the appointment I had to explain to them how it all worked and that the FAA paid for it. They didn't ask for my insurance or anything at the appointment, then they send the bill anyway. Between them and the company that schedules the drug test, no one really seems to know what's going on.
 
Was originally offered May 23rd.. ATO accepted my extension request so class date is June 7th

How long did ATO take to approve an extension? All my stuff cleared yesterday and I got in contact with HR this morning to explain about an appointment for my medical I HAVE to be at in Denver in August on a Tuesday. KH said they need to reach out to ATO.
 
How long did ATO take to approve an extension? All my stuff cleared yesterday and I got in contact with HR this morning to explain about an appointment for my medical I HAVE to be at in Denver in August on a Tuesday. KH said they need to reach out to ATO.

Think I asked on late Thursday, then got an email from my HR POC on Monday morning saying it was approved.
 
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