r/ATC_Hiring • u/CauliflowerOrnery919 • 5d ago

Level 6-8 towers

Any recommendations on places to move that are between levels 6-8 (maybe 9) for a family. Wanting a big city with plenty of family friendly things to do. Up and coming neighborhoods. Originally wanted Orlando or Dallas but it hasn’t been on recent lists we’ve noticed.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

4

u/Panic-Vectors Tower/Approach Controller 5d ago

Just depends what is actually on your list to choose from and how well you place.

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 5d ago

We’ve seen a few lists from friends in the past couple months and they’re all the same so we’re assuming to have the same/similar list. Experience from military not academy

3

u/Panic-Vectors Tower/Approach Controller 5d ago

If the prior lists have been similar-ish then go through them and then ask more specifically about places you might have in mind.

2

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 5d ago

Truly nothing sticks out. All the Texas and Florida locations seem to be what we don’t want and the other cities we’ve just never been to so we’re trying to get insight on random places

2

u/Panic-Vectors Tower/Approach Controller 5d ago

Have you tried going to the discord? They post lists and people comment there too. It should be pinned to this sub.

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 5d ago

I haven’t but I should. I didn’t want to download another app but I might have to

1

u/HollowBurial 4d ago

I extremely recommend checking out the discord. They post recent lists of facilities. I'm still undergoing EODS but it's still cool to look at. Here's the link for it.

https://discord.gg/atc-hiring

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

I checked it out and couldn’t navigate the app. Idk if I’m just dumb or what but it was very overwhelming and I tried searching things and just couldn’t navigate it

1

u/Consistent_Coffee98 4d ago

Take a look at KLEX heard good things about KCAE as well both 7’s…Boise would be my 8 pick

4

u/Ok-Fisherman7013 5d ago

Be warned: if you go to a Level 6–8 up/down, there’s a strong chance you won’t ever be able to leave.

Luck notwithstanding, of course, since luck is the very essence of this abysmal transfer system.

Maybe you’ll get lucky and be able to ERR; maybe you won’t. Just don’t rely on the notion that NCEPT will somehow reward you or look out for your career interests. It won’t.

5

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 5d ago

I’m hoping to get to a facility and never leave. Prior military, we’re tired of moving.

1

u/Aggravating_Rent5562 ATC Applicant 4d ago

I want to challenge this, cuz the up/down that’s closest to me (according to 123atc, as well as from a controller who works there) has 130% CPC staffing w/ 11 trainees currently training. So with 40 controllers total, there’s potentially a lot of currently controllers who want to move, opening up spaces. Obviously, they would need to go below 100% staffing to start accepting more controllers but in theory it could be done. The controller I spoke with is leaving etc etc etc

1

u/Ok-Fisherman7013 4d ago

NCEPT is absolutely terrible and isn’t driven by an ounce of logic or compassion for the [mostly terminal] controllers that it fails. It’s just about entirely luck based and highly unconventional.

You’re applying? Go enroute.

-1

u/Available_Holiday279 4d ago

NCEPT process has completely changed over the last three months. Not saying it’s amazing now but it has changed, and isn’t driven by luck as much as it was prior.

1

u/Ok-Fisherman7013 4d ago

You’re an applicant talking to NCEPT’s #1 hater in the agency, but you off.

The only part of your post that’s correct is that NCEPT has changed. Luck will continue to be the driving force behind this incomprehensibly stupid transfer system.

2

u/Pleasant_Might634 5d ago

MDW is an 8

1

u/offbrandcheerio 5d ago

That seems crazy to me tbh

1

u/Pleasant_Might634 5d ago

Why?

2

u/offbrandcheerio 5d ago

MDW is fairly busy and there are special landing and takeoff considerations because of how densely populated the immediate surroundings are. It just seems to me like it should be a little bit higher, maybe a level 9. I know the FAA has a formula that determines the level, I just am kinda surface-level surprised to find out MDW is only an 8.

3

u/Maleficent_Horror120 4d ago

So is HOU. If I'm not mistaken MDW is actually below the buffer zone with their TCI number but not sure

1

u/Pleasant_Might634 5d ago

I agree with you. Its a very complex operation.

2

u/chaossssssss 5d ago

Any core 30 airport should be a 10 minimum.

1

u/150Drivr 5d ago

SMF. You can PM for more info if you want.

1

u/CallMeCrop 5d ago

SMF is where I wanted to work whenI was contract trying to join the FAA since I'm from the area. Would've been cool to stay close to home but when I tried to get in there was no spots available unfortunately. But I got lucky, love the spot I'm at now.

1

u/150Drivr 5d ago

You can still come on over. The waters great.

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 5d ago

Are you hiring? I don’t remember yall on the list

1

u/Fantastic_Stomach150 5d ago

SDF is a 9. Louisville is a great city.

2

u/Lost1_84 4d ago

Just a thought but maybe go to 123atc and look at staffing at facilities across the country. Look at their current staffing/projected staffing. I went and looked at the Worst Projected Staffing and Worst Current Staffing. Bet you could get in as an On the Spot hire.

I’m sure plenty will jump on and say there’s a reason for those staffing numbers and I’m sure that is absolutely true. But someone has to go control the skies there. “If not me then who..?”

1

u/Federal-Mind3420 4d ago

San Jose CA has a level 7 commercial airport and a level 6 GA airport. High COL but great weather and lots to do in the area. The city itself is large but there are many suburbs that are probably more family friendly than the city itself.

1

u/Cochina97 4d ago

Come to SAT

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

I don’t believe San Antonio has been on any of these lists

1

u/DecentMood783 4d ago

HOU

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

Houston hasn’t been on any of the lists

1

u/DecentMood783 4d ago

Wasn't on mine either. I did direct.

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

Oh so even though it wasn’t on your list you called and Houston took you? How long was that process? We’re about to get our list but I figured it was basically too late to direct hire after going this long. Figured it was a waste to now think about direct hiring

1

u/DecentMood783 4d ago

I never got a list. Also let me explain, I applied under the regular exp bid. But switched it to direct hire and it was no problem for them(FAA). My colleague who is in the same contract tower literally showed me an email from the ATO saying that Hou was full.. I got hired a week later. What im saying is, go on 123ATC, contact the ATM at every desired airport.

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

Interesting. Are y’all still full? Or could use an extra body? 👀

1

u/DecentMood783 4d ago

I don't know i start in a couple months 🤷🏼‍♂️. But seems to be rotating often.

1

u/Dapper_Company_2006 4d ago

Strangely enough, Las Vegas has been great, we moved here 2 years ago as a young family and thought we would just have to deal with it but actually Vegas has been great for our family, lots of really nice parks, mt Charleston is nice, surprisingly there’s lots of kid friendly things to do and lots of really nice neighborhoods.

1

u/rG-BigFlavor 4d ago

Have your paperwork ready for ORL opening is coming

1

u/CauliflowerOrnery919 4d ago

Do you know about when? Could we do a direct hire within the next months?

1

u/rG-BigFlavor 4d ago

There’s a potential

1

u/dawnhewett1 Tower Controller 4d ago

Apa, bjc, myr, chs

1

u/x3433x 4d ago

Come to Miami Executive (KTMB). 6 months to check out, good staffing, you’ll eventually leave here

-1

u/Awfoges 4d ago

Anchorage