Possible to be re-hired after washing out?
- Thread starter Aaejay
- Start date
skykid11
Active Member
- Messages
- 106
I've heard of one person washing out of Academy that got a second chance, but from what I understand, it's extremely rare. But I've never heard of someone washing from a facility and going back.
Not sure if this will work but if you still want to be a controller you can always get a CTO certification and work at a contract tower for a year and then apply to the previous experience bid. Other option to be a controller is go military and then when your contract ends apply on previous experience bid. All depends on your age and circumstances though. But if controller is your end game, then the contract tower route wouldn’t be a bad idea. I think those guys make between 50-60k/yr which would be close to a level 5 pay in the FAA
- Messages
- 129
- Facility
- CLE Cleveland Tower
I wouldn’t keep pursuing the career at that point. For what it’s worth, I was a prior military controller with a CTO and some radar background. I originally got hired for enroute and went to the academy in 2014. I didn’t pass. After that, I did contract jobs and eventually got picked up in a prior experience bid and was sent to a 5 up/down. Certified and was transferred an 8 up/down due to 804 and certified. Moral of the story, it is possible but just basing on your responses, find something else. Good luck.
Peter Gibbons
Legendary Member
- Messages
- 2,151
This may be the most backhanded attaboy I've ever seen. 10/10
- Messages
- 40
- Facility
- N90 New York Tracon
Harsh but true
HighFrequency
Trusted Contributor
- Messages
- 133
If you're willing to go to Alaska, Flight Service is actually a good gig. Lots of washouts end up here with the same story. I work minimal overtime at a hub and will make well over $100,000 this year, for a lot less busywork than even a level 5 or 6 VFR tower. Getting back into enroute/terminal isn't an option without a CTO, so if you're ok with that, consider that you'd still be a 2152 and have all of the same benefits doing this. Not the worst option to take if having a stable fed career is important to you. If management is a goal, there are opportunities here to get into regional offices and beyond.
The other answers you got are mostly true, and viable options too. I do know of someone who washed out of the Academy, got a CTO from a school, worked contract, and got back into the FAA under an experienced bid. Just takes a multi-year commitment and some serious moving to make it happen.
Side note: you'll have seniority from being in the tower if you jump into FSS. You could feasibly come in and be higher up than the person training you, that's just how things are right now. That's really underrated when it comes to bidding your schedule and time off. You would start accruing more leave faster as well.
The other answers you got are mostly true, and viable options too. I do know of someone who washed out of the Academy, got a CTO from a school, worked contract, and got back into the FAA under an experienced bid. Just takes a multi-year commitment and some serious moving to make it happen.
Side note: you'll have seniority from being in the tower if you jump into FSS. You could feasibly come in and be higher up than the person training you, that's just how things are right now. That's really underrated when it comes to bidding your schedule and time off. You would start accruing more leave faster as well.
Last edited:
ABLEISM!!!
Yes. when it comes to the Government, there is always a chance. I bet if your level 6 discriminated against you and was probably a toxic work environment. Let us out this bastard facility. Where was it and what did they do to you? Sunshine is the best disinfectant! ?
FightingIrish2012
Legendary Member
- Messages
- 1,868
I agree, the level six was probably a shithole, South Bend or that place up in Washington state with the 30% success rate. Sometimes the 5’s and 6’s are some of the worst places to try to certify at as they are so slow and board they write up any slight phraseology error in addition to everything else. Luckily lots of them are being 804’ed or finally had the old fucks retire and are better now run by a bunch of 28 year old OJTIs who know what a joke the place is and understand it don’t take years to “earn your stripes” and “pay your dues”.ABLEISM!!!
Yes. when it comes to the Government, there is always a chance. I bet if your level 6 discriminated against you and was probably a toxic work environment. Let us out this bastard facility. Where was it and what did they do to you? Sunshine is the best disinfectant! ?
I was at a shithole like that once, someone told me I had to “earn my stripes”. I came back with “fuck you, I went to college, if I was in the military I would be earning bars and stars as an officer not some enlisted airman”.
which one are you talking about?
On top of that, there's only like 5 level 6's with a sub 80% checkout rate.
Edit - I was looking at tower only, not up downs. MWH is a 6 up down with a 41% success rate. Wow.
So this person was either really bad or was discriminated against. Idk, I feel like if you can pass the academy you should be able to work level 6 traffic with no problem, but you never know. Hard to spectate without all the context.
32andBelow
Legendary Member
- Messages
- 9,309
You can usually get this after you wash our while your in the NEST without ever losing a paycheck
