CPC to SS to CPC

[charliebravo11]

Thinking about applying for Support Specialist for about 5 years with the intention of coming back CPC. This is what I’ve gathered in my hunt for info, please correct me if I’m wrong on any points. Just trying to make sure I have a clear picture of what I’m getting into.
- Not good time
- No differentials - most work m-f 8-4/9-5 kind of hours
- Some are BUEs, if they are, they retain their seniority
- Most do not work traffic (has anyone seen a SS come to the facility and get trained? I’d hate to give up working traffic all together).

Anything else noteworthy? Has anyone went SS and came back to CPC? How was the transition back? Any info appreciated!

 

[32andBelow]

Thinking about applying for Support Specialist for about 5 years with the intention of coming back CPC. This is what I’ve gathered in my hunt for info, please correct me if I’m wrong on any points. Just trying to make sure I have a clear picture of what I’m getting into.
- Not good time
- No differentials - most work m-f 8-4/9-5 kind of hours
- Some are BUEs, if they are, they retain their seniority
- Most do not work traffic (has anyone seen a SS come to the facility and get trained? I’d hate to give up working traffic all together).

Anything else noteworthy? Has anyone went SS and came back to CPC? How was the transition back? Any info appreciated!

I’ve seen SS maintaining currency. But they were already controllers at that facility

 

[BigEggplant]

Thinking about applying for Support Specialist for about 5 years with the intention of coming back CPC. This is what I’ve gathered in my hunt for info, please correct me if I’m wrong on any points. Just trying to make sure I have a clear picture of what I’m getting into.
- Not good time
- No differentials - most work m-f 8-4/9-5 kind of hours
- Some are BUEs, if they are, they retain their seniority
- Most do not work traffic (has anyone seen a SS come to the facility and get trained? I’d hate to give up working traffic all together).

Anything else noteworthy? Has anyone went SS and came back to CPC? How was the transition back? Any info appreciated!

If you maintain currency, it does count as good time, and you get something like a 2% pay Incentive for doing so.

I doubt they would spend the resources to train you though if you weren’t already facility rated. I’ve see a SS get scheduled for overtime after all the controllers on the Yes list. Usually the SS jobs are reserved for people who have lost their medical and the agency would likely lay off otherwise.

 

[Mike Kilo]

If you maintain currency, it does count as good time, and you get something like a 2% pay Incentive for doing so.

I doubt they would spend the resources to train you though if you weren’t already facility rated. I’ve see a SS get scheduled for overtime after all the controllers on the Yes list. Usually the SS jobs are reserved for people who have lost their medical and the agency would likely lay off otherwise.

I don’t think it counts as good time. The 2% I heard is for the currency. Can’t find it written though.

 

[BigEggplant]

I don’t think it counts as good time. The 2% I heard is for the currency. Can’t find it written though.

That part is in the purple book, which I never have had a copy of.

 

[Homeless]

It's good time only if it's a temporary detail.

 

[tink]

Is NCEPT also in charge of SS transfers? Like your facility can only let you go if you have NCEPT acceptable numbers?

 

[rune]

Do CPC’s from lower level facilities have an actual chance of getting hired for a 10/11/12 support specialist position?

 

[CF]

Do CPC’s from lower level facilities have an actual chance of getting hired for a 10/11/12 support specialist position?

I know a supe from a lower level tower who got a support specialist job at a 10+ So I’m guessing it’s possible for a controller to do it but you have to know someone I’d guess.

 

[FightingIrish2012]

Do CPC’s from lower level facilities have an actual chance of getting hired for a 10/11/12 support specialist position?

They can but it’s rare, those places usually get a lot of internal CPC applicants. People wanting to dodge the traffic but keep level twelve pay, people wanting a cake schedule, etc....

If you just want to get to a high level place apply to a sup job. You still won’t have to work traffic and there are sometimes more openings then applicants at big facilities with multiple sup openings.

 

[Move78]

Do CPC’s from lower level facilities have an actual chance of getting hired for a 10/11/12 support specialist position?

If you’re 4 tower is green and that 10-12 facility, with the SS bid, is red it eliminates internal competition and then yes you absolutely have a shot. Otherwise no it’s long odds.

 

[julietoscar]

If you’re 4 tower is green and that 10-12 facility, with the SS bid, is red it eliminates internal competition and then yes you absolutely have a shot. Otherwise no it’s long odds.

where do you see the colors?

 

[Move78]

where do you see the colors?

On the priority placement tool. It’s on this site and on natca.org and on ksn

 

[Super Salt]

If you’re 4 tower is green and that 10-12 facility, with the SS bid, is red it eliminates internal competition and then yes you absolutely have a shot. Otherwise no it’s long odds.

This also applies to management positions, unless a waiver can be granted.

 

[whoknew92]

Does anyone have resources on where I could read about support specialist retirement, etc? Looking into this as an option due to medical.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Does anyone have resources on where I could read about support specialist retirement, etc? Looking into this as an option due to medical.

I may be wrong but I don’t think it’s good time, so would be the normal 1% rate

 

[N737ER]

Does anyone have resources on where I could read about support specialist retirement, etc? Looking into this as an option due to medical.

AFAIK: Each year as a controller is 1.7% (up to 20yrs), then each year as a SS is 1%, and if staying a SS the minimum retirement age is 57.

So 10yrs as a controller, 20yrs as SS gets one’s retirement to 37%.

 

[jdatc]

AFAIK: Each year as a controller is 1.7% (up to 20yrs), then each year as a SS is 1%, and if staying a SS the minimum retirement age is 57.

So 10yrs as a controller, 20yrs as SS gets one’s retirement to 37%.

Edit- I stand corrected.


A lot of people I know hold off on bidding a staff job till they get 20 years good time if they can so they can still retire early. It’s also why a lot of staff people who got in early and didn’t do 20 stay longer to make up for the years they didn’t get 1.7….

Years ago they did something with Public Law 108-176 where if you did do 30 total years you got the 1.7% from the ATC time but I can’t find it anywhere.
I’d love an answer or a link but all my digging comes up for naught as ATC retirement is the bastard child of the FERS system.

 

[MJ]

To get the 1.7% you need to have 20 years as a controller

As long as you have 5 years under the ATC requirements all ATC time is 1.7%

Years ago they did something with Public Law 108-176 where if you did do 30 total years you got the 1.7% from the ATC time but I can’t find it anywhere.

It's in the FAQ

I recently wrote OPM with some similar questions and I'll update if I get a response.

 

[whoknew92]

As long as you have 5 years under the ATC requirements all ATC time is 1.7%


It's in the FAQ

I recently wrote OPM with some similar questions and I'll update if I get a response.

So I glanced over that linked pdf, let’s say I’d have 30 years at age 54 over 5 years of ATC, but went to a support specialist position, all my years would be given at 1.7%?

Edit: I suppose to meet my MRA I’d have to work a total of 33 years, Is that correct?