Kim's Place OKC

Hiring Bid FAA-ATO-20-ALLSRCE-65607

Jsybird2532 said:
TOL, BQ, Pool 2. Carried over score from last bid.

Conflicted about taking this. Got a new job during pandemic working in tech, employer is GREAT and pays more than ATC. FAA in comparison has treated me like total garbage due to psychological issues (now 100% resolved, not medication related) as a minor (I'm almost 30 now) on my application for a medical cert for piloting fixed wing. It's been 2+ years since AME visit, no medical. It's asinine and pathetic that they've made me wait this long without a denial or approval. I also suspect due to their conservatism, all things considered, given what they already know and what I had to do to work on my medical in response (mmpi-2), I would be tier 2'd.

I love aviation, but does anyone know if I am committed to this position if I accept TOL, assuming medical clearance goes through or no? I refuse to be committed at this stage as I have no trust in this organization at all. But if I can jump in pipeline and jump out later if they deny me for piloting, that's ok.

It's honestly pathetic that I am even thinking this, but I have to; I have been treated quite poorly by OKC and the Federal Air Surgeon's office.
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Go through the process of course but I would only recommend taking the job if you are truly passionate about becoming a controller. If you are not sure . . . you may be able to take unpaid leave from your current job and go to the Academy and make a decision from there.

I was in a very similar situation as you. I was a software engineer at one of the "Big 4". Made more money than most controllers make when you include bonus, stock and benefits. My job was easy and as flexible as a job can be (could work from home whenever, no scheduled hours and no one looking over my shoulder). Most importantly I lived in the place I wanted. On paper I am an idiot for leaving that job for the FAA. I don't mean to sound like an asshole but ATC is only better than most jobs where you make under $100k (on paper). If you are conflicted even a tiny bit you'll probably be disappointed. Sounds like you are passionate about aviation and already involved. If it fulfills your itch and you are happy with your current job stick with flying.
 
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PlaneFlasher said:
Go through the process of course but I would only recommend taking the job if you are truly passionate about becoming a controller. If you are not sure . . . you may be able to take unpaid leave from your current job and go to the Academy and make a decision from there.

I was in a very similar situation as you. I was a software engineer at one of the "Big 4". Made more money than most controllers make when you include bonus, stock and benefits. My job was easy and as flexible as a job can be (could work from home whenever, no scheduled hours and no one looking over my shoulder). Most importantly I lived in the place I wanted. On paper I am an idiot for leaving that job for the FAA. I don't mean to sound like an asshole but ATC is only better than most jobs where you make under $100k (on paper). If you are conflicted even a tiny bit you'll probably be disappointed. Sounds like you are passionate about aviation and already involved. If it fulfills your itch and you are happy with your current job stick with it.
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Where did your passion in aviation come from
 
grackfields420 said:
Where did your passion in aviation come from
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I think mostly from traveling a lot. Family didn't have money for vacations when I was younger so I went crazy when I started making good money. As I spent more and more time on planes I naturally became interested in how it all worked.
 
ColdPickles said:
If you’re talking about the tol confirmation they are going out. I got mine the day after I sent it! Just be patient it’ll come :)
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Keep in mind that there are several different HR POCs and they work/respond at different speeds. On top of that I believe they're still working from home, although I could be mistaken on that.
 
PlaneFlasher said:
Go through the process of course but I would only recommend taking the job if you are truly passionate about becoming a controller. If you are not sure . . . you may be able to take unpaid leave from your current job and go to the Academy and make a decision from there.

I was in a very similar situation as you. I was a software engineer at one of the "Big 4". Made more money than most controllers make when you include bonus, stock and benefits. My job was easy and as flexible as a job can be (could work from home whenever, no scheduled hours and no one looking over my shoulder). Most importantly I lived in the place I wanted. On paper I am an idiot for leaving that job for the FAA. I don't mean to sound like an asshole but ATC is only better than most jobs where you make under $100k (on paper). If you are conflicted even a tiny bit you'll probably be disappointed. Sounds like you are passionate about aviation and already involved. If it fulfills your itch and you are happy with your current job stick with flying.
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Curious, why did you leave? Is it true that many developers' work never makes it to live production and that it is rare to feel like you are making a difference and not just being a code monkey?

How do the lifetime earnings for ATC compare to software engineering if you include the TSP and pension vs. bonuses and stocks? Of course the senior levels of FAANG will blow ATC out of the water, but how do you think CPC at a level 12 compares to say, senior developer at a non-FAANG? What about quality of life?
 
wiso825 said:
Curious, why did you leave? Is it true that many developers' work never makes it to live production and that it is rare to feel like you are making a difference and not just being a code monkey?

How do the lifetime earnings for ATC compare to software engineering if you include the TSP and pension vs. bonuses and stocks? Of course the senior levels of FAANG will blow ATC out of the water, but how do you think CPC at a level 12 compares to say, senior developer at a non-FAANG? What about quality of life?
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I left mainly because I wanted to try something new, I am passionate about aviation and I could always go back (it would take some effort to pick up my skills but getting interviews is not a problem). When it comes to feeling like you make a difference, it really depends on what you are working on. For example, I interned at a social media company where I built developer tools and my work would go live within a week of writing it and reached a large audience. At the company I worked full time, my code would take months to go to production (if it reached production) and reach many millions of people. Even if it didn't go to production, there are very few projects that are in vain. I worked on a hardware project that never reached production but after I left the company released a different project that was inspired by what I worked on.

It is really hard to say for sure but I think ATC (at high-level facilities) may edge out the average Software Engineer salary across the country. When you take into account career progression over time this might not be true. I can only speak from my experience working at large companies but considering employee stock options, bonuses, salary increases, stock awards, and benefits I think Software Engineering is more profitable. I think the quality of life in the industry is generally better than ATC. Of course it depends on where you work but at the very least, if you don't like the company you are working for, you can be somewhere else in a few months. It is nice that ATC has an exact retirement date and a pretty good one, but if you play your cards right at a good company you can retire much earlier with a lot more money (my company matched 50% of 401k contributions up to federal limit).
 
Sup beotches , pool one got my TOL same night as Yinz I guess, and just wanted to say you fools are quick, turned mine in Wednesday thought that was a quick turnaround lol. Hope the best for all of you and hope to see you in OKC . For now keep slaying at ur day job and I’ll see ya hopefully sometime in 2021.
 
PlaneFlasher said:
I left mainly because I wanted to try something new, I am passionate about aviation and I could always go back (it would take some effort to pick up my skills but getting interviews is not a problem). When it comes to feeling like you make a difference, it really depends on what you are working on. For example, I interned at a social media company where I built developer tools and my work would go live within a week of writing it and reached a large audience. At the company I worked full time, my code would take months to go to production (if it reached production) and reach many millions of people. Even if it didn't go to production, there are very few projects that are in vain. I worked on a hardware project that never reached production but after I left the company released a different project that was inspired by what I worked on.

It is really hard to say for sure but I think ATC (at high-level facilities) may edge out the average Software Engineer salary across the country. When you take into account career progression over time this might not be true. I can only speak from my experience working at large companies but considering employee stock options, bonuses, salary increases, stock awards, and benefits I think Software Engineering is more profitable. I think the quality of life in the industry is generally better than ATC. Of course it depends on where you work but at the very least, if you don't like the company you are working for, you can be somewhere else in a few months. It is nice that ATC has an exact retirement date and a pretty good one, but if you play your cards right at a good company you can retire much earlier with a lot more money (my company matched 50% of 401k contributions up to federal limit).
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I sent a decline this morning given the 5 day deadline they gave. Given COVID, the HR POCs are unresponsive. I really can't take this without some flexibility in managing the process between TOL and FOL. I want to control, but I am basically not risking my current job (letting them contact my boss about a security clearance) without some certainty over how the medical portion of this would be handled. My particular position is highly unusual for an IT/tech job and I would be unlikely to find something else like it.

There is a space below the accept line to give reasons for declining. I gave them. I doubt anything will come of it as the FAA has let me down a few times already, but we will see what happens.

Funny thing is I absolutely would have taken this opportunity if they gave me a TOL during the last bid, as then I would be more willing to risk my position! I'm BQ, they should have, but apparently some BQ Pool 2 didn't get it last time, and I was unfortunately one of those.

Also the compensation where I'm working now is definitely higher than max comp in ATC (including COL adjustments) by a long shot, and the cost of living is also relatively low where I work now (this is definitely not NYC or SFBA). I also have room to increase it substantially at this company.
 
Jsybird2532 said:
I sent a decline this morning given the 5 day deadline they gave. Given COVID, the HR POCs are unresponsive. I really can't take this without some flexibility in managing the process between TOL and FOL. I want to control, but I am basically not risking my current job (letting them contact my boss about a security clearance) without some certainty over how the medical portion of this would be handled. My particular position is highly unusual for an IT/tech job and I would be unlikely to find something else like it.

There is a space below the accept line to give reasons for declining. I gave them. I doubt anything will come of it as the FAA has let me down a few times already, but we will see what happens.

Funny thing is I absolutely would have taken this opportunity if they gave me a TOL during the last bid, as then I would be more willing to risk my position! I'm BQ, they should have, but apparently some BQ Pool 2 didn't get it last time, and I was unfortunately one of those.

Also the compensation where I'm working now is definitely higher than max comp in ATC (including COL adjustments) by a long shot, and the cost of living is also relatively low where I work now (this is definitely not NYC or SFBA). I also have room to increase it substantially at this company.
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Seems like the best decision for you. The only real advantage I would say ATC has over tech is the job security. I think it’s widely accepted that the tech industry is a giant bubble.

For others considering declining, I would recommend signing the TOL and starting the process because it’ll probably be a while before the background check and the medical happen given the back up of people from previous bids. Also keep in mind that if you decline it is really unlikely that you’ll get another shot.
 
Jsybird2532 said:
I sent a decline this morning given the 5 day deadline they gave. Given COVID, the HR POCs are unresponsive. I really can't take this without some flexibility in managing the process between TOL and FOL. I want to control, but I am basically not risking my current job (letting them contact my boss about a security clearance) without some certainty over how the medical portion of this would be handled. My particular position is highly unusual for an IT/tech job and I would be unlikely to find something else like it.

There is a space below the accept line to give reasons for declining. I gave them. I doubt anything will come of it as the FAA has let me down a few times already, but we will see what happens.

Funny thing is I absolutely would have taken this opportunity if they gave me a TOL during the last bid, as then I would be more willing to risk my position! I'm BQ, they should have, but apparently some BQ Pool 2 didn't get it last time, and I was unfortunately one of those.

Also the compensation where I'm working now is definitely higher than max comp in ATC (including COL adjustments) by a long shot, and the cost of living is also relatively low where I work now (this is definitely not NYC or SFBA). I also have room to increase it substantially at this company.
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Smart choice. Obviously your situation is different from mine and others.

Thanks for being patient with all of us, and best of luck with your future endeavors! Make sure you check back in to this thread in 2025 to see when we start posting class dates :p
 
FAABurger said:
Smart choice. Obviously your situation is different from mine and others.

Thanks for being patient with all of us, and best of luck with your future endeavors! Make sure you check back in to this thread in 2025 to see when we start posting class dates :p
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??? damn. it wouldn't be as funny if it wasn't true ?
 

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