FAA Hiring Process and Timeline

Since receiving the initial phone call to schedule my interview with the FAA, the process has been a whirlwind of appointments and tedious paperwork. Now that I’m less than four weeks from heading to the academy, I feel sufficiently able summarize the experience. First, here is an overview of my career timeline as it stands now:

Getting in the Door

My first application was unsuccessful; most likely because it was unplanned and rushed. Also, the FAA prefers not to offer jobs to military members while they are still on active duty. I was much better prepared for the second application by ensuring my resume looked pristine and also by double-checking all required paperwork. Still, I watched as other members on StuckMic posted about being selected. After a few members were selected from the same states I chose, and with my 31st birthday rapidly approaching, it was time to be more proactive.

My first letter went out to my district Representative. I also wrote my Senator, any connections I had in the FAA as well as NATCA. Before writing, I performed a little research on my congressmen/women to tie in any connections they had to the FAA, aviation industry or to military veterans. In the end, I am not sure if any of the letters helped my situation. What I know for sure: I received an interview mere days before my 31st birthday and a Tentative Offer Letter (TOL) the day after my interview. There was obviously some sort of rush linked to my paperwork. Here are a two samples of letters I wrote.

Sample Letter #1          Sample Letter #2

The Interview

There is not much I can tell you about the interview that has not already been covered in the StuckMic Interview Guide. Prepare for the interview, but relax. More than anything, it is a formality. I am pretty sure you can not screw it up unless you punch the interviewer in the face. Dress appropriately, answer the questions, and wait for your TOL to arrive in your inbox.

The TOL

Due to my rapidly approaching birthday, my TOL was rushed and a little sloppy. It involved multiple emails through three different people in HR. Typically a new hire will receive a single email from their HR representative. This email “package” contains the TOL, numerous forms and instructions for HR and Security (background check), as well as instructions to schedule all necessary appointments (urinalysis, flight physical, and MMPI). Everything is electronic except the fingerprint cards which arrive via USPS. The email also contains a list of deadlines for each document or appointment. From my experience, these are soft deadlines. HR was flexible with me around the holidays and even let me complete my MMPI in a different state than my residence.

The Waiting

There is no way around this one. Most of my waiting was after the TOL, but it could come at any stage in the hiring process. Responses from HR representatives are hit and miss so I felt in the dark a lot of the time. Eventually I figured out there was an issue with my medical clearance (as described in a previous post). Once that was straightened out, all was good again. Compared to most applicants/new hires, my waiting time was relatively short.

The FOL and Class Date

Shortly after my clearances were finished in late-May 2011, my HR rep called to schedule a class date. I did not receive my FOL until five weeks prior to my class date. From what I have read, that is pretty normal. Aside from the FOL itself, the FOL package includes a welcome letter and instructions on how to navigate through the online Entrance on Duty system (EODs). EODs is filled with another series of forms to fill out and pages upon pages of information on benefits.

Next Steps

Sometime between now and my class date I should receive some more information from my HR rep about what to expect next. Since I know my class date, I have already made reservations in Oklahoma City to stay at Walnut Gardens. There’s not much else to do except start packing.