FSS jobs in Alaska

Are you still going to try to get back into ATC in the lower 48 or are you done with FAA altogether?

The chances of finding an ATM that will do a CPC reinstatement with a FSS CPC is probably nil.. and to top it off, getting regional/ATO approval is probably also nil even if I were to find an ATM that knows about the reinstatement program. AFAIAC, this is the end of the ATC road.
 
Has there been any update on this? People are getting TOLs from the All-source bid that was posted a month later than this one.
 
Has there been any update on this? People are getting TOLs from the All-source bid that was posted a month later than this one.
One person got a TOL from this bid, but they're just looking to hire so few people so it's kinda hard. 3 kenai classes a year or something?
 
Wanted to share one last kick to the groin the FAA gave... So while they rejected me from a prior experience bid because (paraphrased) 2152 CPCs cannot use off the street style bids to transfer between options or facilities "for the health and well-being of the NAS" and must use the ERR/NCEPT process or be resigned for over a year, have made an offer and placed a 2152 CPC from a tower into FSS. Rules only apply 1 way, once FSS there is no exit besides leaving the agency.

Union's response: *shrug*.

Was really happy to turn in my badge and leave the facility for the last time.
 
I've received a TOL for the FSS class that starts end of July. Has anyone else received one?
Also can anyone tell me where to place to live in Kenai? (preferably fully furnished) and what cell phone service to switch to?
T-mobile told me they won't work in that area.
 
I've received a TOL for the FSS class that starts end of July. Has anyone else received one?
Also can anyone tell me where to place to live in Kenai? (preferably fully furnished) and what cell phone service to switch to?
T-mobile told me they won't work in that area.
ATT is the best cell in Alaska by far. You can look I to staying in kenai or soldotna. Kenai fss is across the street from ENA airport.
 
I received a TOL for Kenai, Wendy said that she's trying to fill the July class. However, I won't get per diem while there because I'm assigned Kenai and finding housing during fishing season sounds pricey.
 
I’ll throw my two cents in. Worked at ENA FSS for about a year and a half and found Facebook marketplace to be EXTREMELY helpful. There was more housing stuff on there than craigslist et al. combined. I lived in Soldotna and enjoyed it, always had more going on than Kenai in my opinion. I didn’t have to deal with this, but saw a lot of places that didn’t allow pets. Food for thought.
 
Yeah it's the same where I live, as soon as you click "Allows Dogs" you have 90% less options.

Tbh, I'm having second thoughts about FSS. While I was busy living my life I landed a better paying job where I live. FSS would be a small raise, but I'm not sure the math works out with the hassle of moving, even with the lower cost of living.
 
Yeah it's the same where I live, as soon as you click "Allows Dogs" you have 90% less options.

Tbh, I'm having second thoughts about FSS. While I was busy living my life I landed a better paying job where I live. FSS would be a small raise, but I'm not sure the math works out with the hassle of moving, even with the lower cost of living.
It’s a fair question to ask. Alaska is a great place to live and work, but it’s costly to move up there. Just living up there is costly too. If you like what you have now and are unsure, it may not be the best move to make.
 
It’s a fair question to ask. Alaska is a great place to live and work, but it’s costly to move up there. Just living up there is costly too. If you like what you have now and are unsure, it may not be the best move to make.
I actually already live in Alaska, just not in Kenai. I think that what I'm really hesitating about is the fact that FSS is it, there is no further professional progression from there. The end of the line. At least with atc you can go to progressively higher level facilities.
 
I actually already live in Alaska, just not in Kenai. I think that what I'm really hesitating about is the fact that FSS is it, there is no further professional progression from there. The end of the line. At least with atc you can go to progressively higher level facilities.
Ahhhh gotcha! So, I will say that there are other things you can do, however the FAA words certain supervisor/training specialist bids to sort of exclude FSS people from applying to them. “...must have at least 52 weeks of experience in an ATO facility,” which flight service is not. Some people have gone to different regional ops centers around the country, a few to other facilities as support specialists, but yeah if you wanna stay on the ops floor, it’s Alaska only.
It’s unfortunately in a grey zone of rules. There’s no official staffing but even if there was, my guess/opinion is that NATCA/FAA would still find a way to exclude FSS from ERRing, even though you’d not be getting the same options other union members are. You CAN however on occasion move between different flight service stations, like between the 3 hubs, if you wanted to. There’s rules, but as a former colleague said, “rules are rules...until they become inconvenient.”
 
You never hear about support specialists on .65, do you know where I could find more information?
That is a fantastic question. My guess would be to start at a regional office. They are a good place to start, IF you get the right person on the phone (a common theme unfortunately.) Usually those jobs are still considered “good time” where you still get the ATC pay/retirement, but work in training or plans and procedures.
 
That is a fantastic question. My guess would be to start at a regional office. They are a good place to start, IF you get the right person on the phone (a common theme unfortunately.) Usually those jobs are still considered “good time” where you still get the ATC pay/retirement, but work in training or plans and procedures.
They are not good time for early retirement. Even if someone in a support specialist position maintains position currency, that time doesn't count like it does for a controller/supervisor/operations manager.
Almost all of the support specialist positions are filled with someone that has been a controller in some capacity.
 
They are not good time for early retirement. Even if someone in a support specialist position maintains position currency, that time doesn't count like it does for a controller/supervisor/operations manager.
Almost all of the support specialist positions are filled with someone that has been a controller in some capacity.
I’m mistaken then! I know that some of the folks that were our support specialists were still 2152 but assumed it still counted. Thanks for the correction. It seemed that everyone up there had a backdoor deal.
 
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