Expert: Dacus T. Grant - 9/28/2006

Question
I have just graduated college with a BA in communications.  I am currently looking at an emergency dispatch position locally.  If that doesnt pan out I was thinking of going after a job in ATC but I had a couple questions.

1)  Do you know if the FAA is hiring right now?  It would be a unfoturnate to go through another year and a half of school only to find out the FAA is not in need of controllers.

2)  How easy is it to get transfered?  If I know I want to work in either Portland or Seattle areas, but get put in say Idaho is it really possible to switch locations?

3)  And finally, do you know anyone who got hired through the program at Minneapolis Community college?  That is the program I was looking at and didnt know if the people who take that program get hired equally as often as people who take one of the other options.

Thanks
Justin

Answer
Hi Justin,
 Yes the FAA is hiring now.  As I understand it they are only hiring ex-military or through the CTI program.  You can go to the FAA website at http://www.faa.gov/careers/employment/jobinfo.htm

About getting transferred.  Their are a couple of options.  Probabley the easiest is a mutual swap, find someone at the facility you want to go and swap with them.  You can also try to get promoted into the facility you want.  Or as a last resort you apply for a hardship transfer.

About the Minneapolis program, I, personally don't know anyone, but I am sure that if it is one of the CTI school you would have an equal chance of getting hired.

Good luck

Dacus Grant
dacus@iwon.com