Are you still going to try to get back into ATC in the lower 48 or are you done with FAA altogether?
One person got a TOL from this bid, but they're just looking to hire so few people so it's kinda hard. 3 kenai classes a year or something?Has there been any update on this? People are getting TOLs from the All-source bid that was posted a month later than this one.
ATT is the best cell in Alaska by far. You can look I to staying in kenai or soldotna. Kenai fss is across the street from ENA airport.I've received a TOL for the FSS class that starts end of July. Has anyone else received one?
Also can anyone tell me where to place to live in Kenai? (preferably fully furnished) and what cell phone service to switch to?
T-mobile told me they won't work in that area.
It’s a fair question to ask. Alaska is a great place to live and work, but it’s costly to move up there. Just living up there is costly too. If you like what you have now and are unsure, it may not be the best move to make.Yeah it's the same where I live, as soon as you click "Allows Dogs" you have 90% less options.
Tbh, I'm having second thoughts about FSS. While I was busy living my life I landed a better paying job where I live. FSS would be a small raise, but I'm not sure the math works out with the hassle of moving, even with the lower cost of living.
I actually already live in Alaska, just not in Kenai. I think that what I'm really hesitating about is the fact that FSS is it, there is no further professional progression from there. The end of the line. At least with atc you can go to progressively higher level facilities.It’s a fair question to ask. Alaska is a great place to live and work, but it’s costly to move up there. Just living up there is costly too. If you like what you have now and are unsure, it may not be the best move to make.
Ahhhh gotcha! So, I will say that there are other things you can do, however the FAA words certain supervisor/training specialist bids to sort of exclude FSS people from applying to them. “...must have at least 52 weeks of experience in an ATO facility,” which flight service is not. Some people have gone to different regional ops centers around the country, a few to other facilities as support specialists, but yeah if you wanna stay on the ops floor, it’s Alaska only.I actually already live in Alaska, just not in Kenai. I think that what I'm really hesitating about is the fact that FSS is it, there is no further professional progression from there. The end of the line. At least with atc you can go to progressively higher level facilities.
That is a fantastic question. My guess would be to start at a regional office. They are a good place to start, IF you get the right person on the phone (a common theme unfortunately.) Usually those jobs are still considered “good time” where you still get the ATC pay/retirement, but work in training or plans and procedures.You never hear about support specialists on .65, do you know where I could find more information?
They are not good time for early retirement. Even if someone in a support specialist position maintains position currency, that time doesn't count like it does for a controller/supervisor/operations manager.That is a fantastic question. My guess would be to start at a regional office. They are a good place to start, IF you get the right person on the phone (a common theme unfortunately.) Usually those jobs are still considered “good time” where you still get the ATC pay/retirement, but work in training or plans and procedures.
I’m mistaken then! I know that some of the folks that were our support specialists were still 2152 but assumed it still counted. Thanks for the correction. It seemed that everyone up there had a backdoor deal.They are not good time for early retirement. Even if someone in a support specialist position maintains position currency, that time doesn't count like it does for a controller/supervisor/operations manager.
Almost all of the support specialist positions are filled with someone that has been a controller in some capacity.