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.