Alaska FSS

[Stinger]

Does everyone who applies get scheduled to take the AT-SA? I received an email PSI online to schedule an exam date but I am concerned about waisting my time, I live in the UAE for work and will need to travel to the U.S. to take the exam. The thing I am worried about is that im 35 years old, i'm a 10 point preferance veteran and applied to an opening for developmental Air Traffic Control Specialist. veteran status and Aviation experience put me in pool 1 which has no BA requirement the job posting was only open sep 5- sep 11 2017 the job is for Alaska specifically and says all training will be in Alaska , so will I be waisting my time taking the AT-SA (it will cost a 1k flight also) or do I stand a chance at getting picked up, the announcement does not mention an age limit? the announcement number is AAL-ATO-17-ALLSRCE-53934

The Alaska job announcement was for Flight Service. It's technically air traffic control because of how it's coded, but it's not really.

 

[daninhondo]

alary is

The Alaska job announcement was for Flight Service. It's technically air traffic control because of how it's coded, but it's not really.

I cannot find much information on Flight Service is it a good job path? The entry pay seems low do you know what median salary and maximum sis and how long on abverage to reach those levels? I am actually more intersted in being n Aviation Safety Inspector which suites my background (17 years aviation maintenance), I have applied but the posting is open for 1 year at a time and is still open and I haven't heard anything back.

 

[Stinger]

alary is

I cannot find much information on Flight Service is it a good job path? The entry pay seems low do you know what median salary and maximum sis and how long on abverage to reach those levels? I am actually more intersted in being n Aviation Safety Inspector which suites my background (17 years aviation maintenance), I have applied but the posting is open for 1 year at a time and is still open and I haven't heard anything back.

It'd be decent if it wasn't in Alaska, and depending on the location some spots will be better and more affordable than others. The three main stations are Fairbanks, Juneau, and Kenai, but then there's 14 satellite stations:

• Barrow
• Cold Bay
• Deadhorse
• Dillingham
• Homer
• Illiamna
• Ketchikan
• Kotzebue
• McGrath
• Nome
• Northway
• Palmer
• Sitka
• Talkeetna

You would start at 36,289 (plus per diem while attending the FSS Academy.) Upon completion of the FSS Academy in Kenai your pay would now be at 49,040 while you're in training. There's COLA percentages that would also get added depending on where you're assigned. The pay table I've got is from July 2016, so it's gone up a little since then. The only locality that applies for FSS in the attachment is the AK link.

Here's a map and list of the FSS locations and the RCOs. Alaska Flight Service Station and RCO Frequencies

 

[32andBelow]

Only 3-4 of those locations are actually livable.

 

[Jacobm]

i wouldnt mind living in kotzebue but i didnt notice this bid

 

[32andBelow]

i wouldnt mind living in kotzebue but i didnt notice this bid

on 50K? Good Luck.

 

[Stinger]

on 50K? Good Luck.

Only while training, then the pay increases to CPC.

 

[WooPig]

CPC pay is over 75K. Alaska gets a bad rap. A lot of places are livable. Juneau, Kenai, Fairbanks are obviously livable. Homer, Talkeetna, Sitka, Palmer, Nome, Kotzebue are all easily livable as well. The other places are not ideal. A few of these other places are closed most of the year, and the stations that are badly hurting (DLG and CDB) are the ones I would not want to go to.

 

[adub]

Except for those working Nome and Kotzebue do not live there. They're rotators. They fly out, work 8 days, and fly back to Anchorage. Same with Deadhorse and Northway. I'm not sure how Homer, Palmer, Talkeetna, Dillingham, and Coldbay are live ins (you have to move there) as are Sitka and Ketchikan (I am fairly certain). There are a couple seasonal spots that I believe are also rotational.

 

[LA CA]

Except for those working Nome and Kotzebue do not live there. They're rotators. They fly out, work 8 days, and fly back to Anchorage. Same with Deadhorse and Northway. I'm not sure how Homer, Palmer, Talkeetna, Dillingham, and Coldbay are live ins (you have to move there) as are Sitka and Ketchikan (I am fairly certain). There are a couple seasonal spots that I believe are also rotational.

Sounds terrifying.

 

[adub]

Not really. Many rotational people live in the lower 48 and fly up to Anchorage (their dime) then the FAA flies them to their place of work. Per diem (minus housing, supplied by the FAA), remote site pay, lots of CIC time and 6 days off.

 

[LA CA]

Not really. Many rotational people live in the lower 48 and fly up to Anchorage (their dime) then the FAA flies them to their place of work. Per diem (minus housing, supplied by the FAA), remote site pay, lots of CIC time and 6 days off.

I'm just biased. Any time it's below 60 degrees I complain.

 

[adub]

I'm just biased. Any time it's below 60 degrees I complain.

I'm the opposite.. get above 74 and I complain. lol So I hate it when my low is 80 and high in the 90s with no AC to be found anywhere.

 

[32andBelow]

I live in Alaska and these ppl are crazy to work in these places. 😂

 

[J-one-s]

Anyone else get a TOL for Alaska FSS? I just got it and it's been over a year since I applied 😂. I accepted it. Duty station is Juneau. I know, expensive! Whatever. I'll struggle through it.

My biggest question... Realistically, once I get to Juneau after the "academy", how long will it take me to cert? The HR lady was hesitant to give me even a ballpark figure.
Some background on my aviation knowledge: CTI, RPOed at the academy, currently RPO at center.

 

[Stewie]

Anyone else get a TOL for Alaska FSS? I just got it and it's been over a year since I applied 😂. I accepted it. Duty station is Juneau. I know, expensive! Whatever. I'll struggle through it.

My biggest question... Realistically, once I get to Juneau after the "academy", how long will it take me to cert? The HR lady was hesitant to give me even a ballpark figure.
Some background on my aviation knowledge: CTI, RPOed at the academy, currently RPO at center.

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you did end up in Juneau, and if so, what has your experience been like? Do you feel it was worth it? I just scheduled the ATSA, but I'm on the fence about pursuing a career in Flight Service. My background is the exact same as yours: CTI, RPO'd at the Academy, and current RPO at a center. ATC is no longer an option for me as I've aged out, but I'm still interested in the field. I'm pretty certain I would enjoy working in FS, I just don't know how I feel about living in Alaska. Mainly I'm worried I'd get stuck there lol.

 

[FightingIrish2012]

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you did end up in Juneau, and if so, what has your experience been like? Do you feel it was worth it? I just scheduled the ATSA, but I'm on the fence about pursuing a career in Flight Service. My background is the exact same as yours: CTI, RPO'd at the Academy, and current RPO at a center. ATC is no longer an option for me as I've aged out, but I'm still interested in the field. I'm pretty certain I would enjoy working in FS, I just don't know how I feel about living in Alaska. Mainly I'm worried I'd get stuck there lol.

You would get stuck there Bro, there is no way out as a FSS in Alaska and while there are “rumors” of FSS people being able to bid into ATC positions that has been the story since the 90’s, and it’s never going to happen. So decide if you want to be a RPO or a FSS, pluses and minuses to both.

 

[Stewie]

You would get stuck there Bro, there is no way out as a FSS in Alaska and while there are “rumors” of FSS people being able to bid into ATC positions that has been the story since the 90’s, and it’s never going to happen. So decide if you want to be a RPO or a FSS, pluses and minuses to both.

I like being an RPO, but it's not a career. I'd be interested in Flight Data, but it seems almost impossible to get hired if you're not FAA or a vet w/ preference. Most of the bids are internal bids. I realize transferring from FS to ATC will probably never be an option, and even if it was, my age would probably disqualify me. At this point, I'd just like to get my foot in the door. I'm not sure this is the best way to do that, but I do know I'm ready for a change. I guess I'll just take the test and see what happens. With how slow the FAA moves, I should have plenty of time to mull it over anyway.

 

[J-one-s]

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you did end up in Juneau, and if so, what has your experience been like? Do you feel it was worth it? I just scheduled the ATSA, but I'm on the fence about pursuing a career in Flight Service. My background is the exact same as yours: CTI, RPO'd at the Academy, and current RPO at a center. ATC is no longer an option for me as I've aged out, but I'm still interested in the field. I'm pretty certain I would enjoy working in FS, I just don't know how I feel about living in Alaska. Mainly I'm worried I'd get stuck there lol.

I didn't end up there. I started the medical process, then got an ATC offer in December. My medical slid over, which really made things move quicker. I started in OKC April 15th.

 

[Stewie]

I didn't end up there. I started the medical process, then got an ATC offer in December. My medical slid over, which really made things move quicker. I started in OKC April 15th.

Awesome, congrats!