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

[randoturbo33]

There are major design flaws with the testing. You would have a major advantage coming in if you use a keyboard that has the number key to the side. Having function buttons represent lettered answers. Loose paper overlays on keyboard itself. My keyboard and mouse were very dirty/sticky. It is all ridiculous because it has nothing to do w ATC. How familiar you are w a keyboard layout and/or items placed on keyboard unsecured should not give you an advantage/disadvantage on an aptitude test. Plus having a button that locks the ability to input answers right next to valid answer keys is just plain stupid. Not to mention they prevent the test monitor from being able to pause the scenario to trouble shoot.

Out of curiosity, how long did you spend doing the practice problems before you began the actual testing? I haven't used a keyboard with a side number pad in many years, and I had zero issues with the test.

I don’t know if it was the key or another issue for me but when someone mentioned number lock issue for themselves the thought of how terrible an idea to use that section of the keyboard came to mind. Seriously like have a killswitch in your car next to the blinker light. FAA candidates deserve better.

You realize that literally every other candidate has the exact same situation, right?

 

[HD-FLO]

True, but this is life and life is unfair... all you can do is hope the next poor soul had a harder time than yourself but even then nothing is guaranteed its one step fwd and three hops back

Yeah, but you also have to fight to achieve your dreams. Don’t take it lying down if you had an issue with your test. Nobody else is going to fight for you. Also, if we don’t raise this issues nothing will ever be changed to improve the system. In the end if I don’t make it because of some shitty luck w a computer oh well. FAA will lose great potential employees because of their shitty test.

 

[HD-FLO]

Out of curiosity, how long did you spend doing the practice problems before you began the actual testing? I haven't used a keyboard with a side number pad in many years, and I had zero issues with the test.



You realize that literally every other candidate has the exact same situation, right?

I ran the practice twice. I’m interested to hear if others had loose paper cut outs placed on keyboard or were they secured?

 

[randoturbo33]

I ran the practice twice. I’m interested to hear if others had loose paper cut outs placed on keyboard or were they secured?

All of the workstations at my testing center had loose paper cutouts like you describe. The paper over my F keys was ripped and I actually ended up taking it off because it was getting in the way. I would suspect that the overlays are provided to PSI by the FAA.

 

[TheeThor]

I ran the practice twice. I’m interested to hear if others had loose paper cut outs placed on keyboard or were they secured?

I doubt you get a retake. That would be totally unfair to everyone else. I also pressed the number lock button and missed like two sequences, but I was smart enough to realize I pressed it when nothing was responding.

 

[HD-FLO]

I doubt you get a retake. That would be totally unfair to everyone else. I also pressed the number lock button and missed like two sequences, but I was smart enough to realize I pressed it when nothing was responding.

Do you not understand that a numberlock key should not be a factor in the first place? Some people do not use computers/numlock. That should not impact their scores. Again, a system issue and you want to blame individuals. I’d be asking for a retest too if I was you.

 

[TheeThor]

Do you not understand that a numberlock key should not be a factor in the first place? Some people do not use computers/numlock. That should not impact their scores. Again, a system issue and you want to blame individuals. I’d be asking for a retest too if I was you.

Just saying, Ive never seen anyone here say they've gotten a retake. Just imagine the advantage of letting people take the test twice in the same month. It is retarded but I was the one that went crazy and smashed that number lock instead of the 7.... It is a test of how you react under pressure after all.

 

[ChuckMastaT]

There are major design flaws with the testing. You would have a major advantage coming in if you use a keyboard that has the number key to the side. Having function buttons represent lettered answers. Loose paper overlays on keyboard itself. My keyboard and mouse were very dirty/sticky. It is all ridiculous because it has nothing to do w ATC. How familiar you are w a keyboard layout and/or items placed on keyboard unsecured should not give you an advantage/disadvantage on an aptitude test. Plus having a button that locks the ability to input answers right next to valid answer keys is just plain stupid. Not to mention they prevent the test monitor from being able to pause the scenario to trouble shoot.

I want to stress that i'm honestly curious and not being a dick at all, but how old are you? I'm 27, and I think that some of the points brought up here, and honestly in this thread are all blowing my mind.

You said "You would have a major advantage coming in if you use a keyboard that has the number key to the side", I assume you have only ever used a laptop? I guess I consider myself lucky then that I use a keyboard like that everyday, and do data input so its easy to know where my fingers are, but everyone complaining about the scroll lock key issue to me is a stretch.

My highest number on differences was 4, on the ABC part, I don't remember anything higher than 6. Not saying it cant happen, but I feel confident in saying that anyone in our generation, who have grown up using keyboards pretty much our entire lives, know where their hands are on one.

Now realize that i'm not saying that issues cant happen, and things can fail, I get it, but to sit and say its PSIs fault and that they don't know what they are doing is a little insulting to read.

Once again, not trying to be a dick, but I mean.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[OKbusyB]

The key doesn’t press itself. Stop making an excuse for user error. A mishit key can cause a variety of issues in the real world. You won’t get a “redo” then.

 

[HD-FLO]

I want to stress that i'm honestly curious and not being a dick at all, but how old are you? I'm 27, and I think that some of the points brought up here, and honestly in this thread are all blowing my mind.

You said "You would have a major advantage coming in if you use a keyboard that has the number key to the side", I assume you have only ever used a laptop? I guess I consider myself lucky then that I use a keyboard like that everyday, and do data input so its easy to know where my fingers are, but everyone complaining about the scroll lock key issue to me is a stretch.

My highest number on differences was 4, on the ABC part, I don't remember anything higher than 6. Not saying it cant happen, but I feel confident in saying that anyone in our generation, who have grown up using keyboards pretty much our entire lives, know where their hands are on one.

Now realize that i'm not saying that issues cant happen, and things can fail, I get it, but to sit and say its PSIs fault and that they don't know what they are doing is a little insulting to read.

Once again, not trying to be a dick, but I mean.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You should read up on human factors and interfaces. I agree that some people have better dexterity and “knowing where their hands are”. My argument is that on a reaction test you should not be able to hit a key next to answers that locks you out. A good system design would remove that from the equation. It is common sense. You make a lot of assumptions about people’s backgrounds in your post. If you try to be open minded and fair no other factors should influence your score externally. Only your ability to separate aircraft and resolve conflicts. That is my argument. Science agrees with it that a good system design can significantly reduce errors.

 

[MJ]

Next time pop off the key cap ??‍♂️

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

This is ridiculous. You screwed up, it sucks but it is reality and life will move on. Do you know how many times in my job as an air traffic controller I have been typing something into my ABCDE keyboard, because we don't have QWERTY, and accidentally hit the clear key and everything is gone? Or accidentally hit that map centering key that shouldn't even exist and now my entire scope is jacked up and I've got two planes calling me and someone that needs to be turned to final?

Those computers and keyboards are used for a multitude of tests... they can't specially design one just for you or just for the ATSA. You will not get a retest because you pushed the wrong key or because there was some paper in your way. You sound like a whinny millennial and nobody that I would want to work with, much less train.

 

[ChuckMastaT]

This is ridiculous. You screwed up, it sucks but it is reality and life will move on. Do you know how many times in my job as an air traffic controller I have been typing something into my ABCDE keyboard, because we don't have QWERTY, and accidentally hit the clear key and everything is gone? Or accidentally hit that map centering key that shouldn't even exist and now my entire scope is jacked up and I've got two planes calling me and someone that needs to be turned to final?

Those computers and keyboards are used for a multitude of tests... they can't specially design one just for you or just for the ATSA. You will not get a retest because you pushed the wrong key or because there was some paper in your way. You sound like a whinny millennial and nobody that I would want to work with, much less train.

Maybe a little harsh... but yeah...

 

[HD-FLO]

This is ridiculous. You screwed up, it sucks but it is reality and life will move on. Do you know how many times in my job as an air traffic controller I have been typing something into my ABCDE keyboard, because we don't have QWERTY, and accidentally hit the clear key and everything is gone? Or accidentally hit that map centering key that shouldn't even exist and now my entire scope is jacked up and I've got two planes calling me and someone that needs to be turned to final?

Those computers and keyboards are used for a multitude of tests... they can't specially design one just for you or just for the ATSA. You will not get a retest because you pushed the wrong key or because there was some paper in your way. You sound like a whinny millennial and nobody that I would want to work with, much less train.

ok GPB. I prob would not working w someone as ignorant as you as well. No way a testing system could ever be improved. Just deal with it.

 

[bigfooten28]

 

[170tovocus]

Look at it this way - if you are truly God's gift to ATC, then you should have no problem applying for next year's bid and acing the ATSA.

 

[HD-FLO]

Look at it this way - if you are truly God's gift to ATC, then you should have no problem applying for next year's bid and acing the ATSA.

I’m not Gods gift to controlling. I actually understand y’alls point of view. I get it. I’ve worked hard to get to this point. Just want an actual representation of my ability for the FAA to judge me by. Nothing more nothing less. I wish the same for every other person applying . Good luck to you all. Thank you to you current controllers for the work you do and sharing your knowledge w us rookies. GPB sorry for the personal insult.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

I’m not Gods gift to controlling. I actually understand y’alls point of view. I get it. I’ve worked hard to get to this point. Just want an actual representation of my ability for the FAA to judge me by. Nothing more nothing less. I wish the same for every other person applying . Good luck to you all. Thank you to you current controllers for the work you do and sharing your knowledge w us rookies. GPB sorry for the personal insult.

No worries. I get that the testing and hiring process is frustrating.

 

[DL0509]

Do you know how many times in my job as an air traffic controller I have been typing something into my ABCDE keyboard, because we don't have QWERTY, and accidentally hit the clear key and everything is gone?

Nothing pisses me off more during a busy push, than typing in a VFR flight following request then hitting clear.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Nothing pisses me off during a busy push, than typing in a VFR flight following request then hitting clear.

It's amazing how you can remember absolutely none of the callsign either... ugh!