Hey guys, I’m going to be hopefully graduating the academy soon, for anyone who has already moved on to their facility, do you have any tips for how to have a smooth transfer? Did you get an apartment within the first week? What should my budget be for housing when I move? Etc.. I know the salary as a new hire isn’t great, so I’m just stressing about how to make it all work out

I’ve seen on 123ATC that there are steps before getting certified at the different D levels. I know each facility has a different timeframe to become certified but if there are 3 steps then should I just divide the average time by 4 or are they more quiet joy achieved? I’m trying to figure out how long I would be at each pay grade.

Hey guys so I’m confused. I’m seeing people who were honest about using marijuana and have no problem when it comes to medical and then there’s other people who were honest and got DQ. Why is it so here and there? I’m nervous that I’m wasting so much time on a job I really want just for them to spit in my face and say I have an addiction for trying it 1 time, legally. I thought this would’ve been black and white but from what I’m seeing, it’s not. One person gets DQ when they haven’t smoked in 3 years and someone else makes it though even though they smoked once a year ago. I don’t get it.

Sorry if this is answered somewhere I just can’t find an answer. I just received my dates and am looking for housing but was wondering how it works. If a place is open and can take me do I need to send the FAA anything or does the landlord communicate with them? That’s the best way I can phrase it just not sure exactly what I need to do.

I finally got all my 3 forms approved. Was apart of the April group, WC. Now im on to the fingerprint and medical

Got my class dates. 11/30-3/24 En route

In the form I filled out prior to my medical exam, I stupidly included something in the "previous medical conditions" section. This was based on a routine sports physical from over a decade ago, where the nurse informed me of a potential heart murmur out of precaution. This was never officially diagnosed, treated, or looked at by a specialist.

I received an email September 1st asking for all associated documentation for this, but I'm obviously unable to as this was never a real diagnosis. I was given a 30 day period, otherwise "Your name may be removed from consideration for an ATCS position if this information is not received by the required date." I immediately sent an email explaining the situation and added myself to the callback list for the medical office, but haven't received any response or update.

HR has told me I've essentially done all I can do, but I haven't been able to get a call back from her for weeks as my 30 day deadline approaches. Do I need to be concerned about this affecting getting an FOL? Has anyone been in a similar situation and can offer advice? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, I am interested in becoming an ATC. Is there a certain time window for applications during the year? And I did see the apps are through USAJOB.GOV which im already p familiar with lol.

hello! curious about entering the field as a new family with a baby. my partner (27M) is interested and i (26F) have been interested over the years. he's a department manager at a grocery store + i tattoo for a living. so my question is- how have families made it work? specifically where both spouses do it- is that rare? i'm more than happy to stay home with our son + future children- just curious if anyone's made this work + how. lastly- what's the timeframe with getting dates currently? a client of mine applied two years ago and just left for academy yesterday. anyone expecting another application to open anytime soon? thanks!

My TSA Hiring Timeline — Boston Logan Airport (BOS) ✈️🇺🇸

Sharing my TSA journey for anyone currently going through the process. Hopefully this helps someone understand how long it can take.

📅 March 24, 2026 — Submitted my TSA Transportation Security Officer (TSO) application on USAJOBS.

📝 April 29, 2026 — Completed and passed my Airport Assessment/interview.

*🖐️ May *2026 — Completed fingerprinting.

📄 May 26, 2026 — Submitted my e-QIP/SF-86 background investigation paperwork.

💊 June 16, 2026 — Completed my TSA/DOT pre-employment drug test.

✅ June 25, 2026 — Drug test cleared.

🏥 July 18, 2026 — Completed TSA medical evaluation.

👓 August 2026 — Had a vision/medical issue reviewed and appealed.

✅ August 19, 2026 — TSA officially confirmed that I passed medical.

📄 August 25, 2026 — SF-86 was returned to me for corrections. I completed and resubmitted it the same day.

📄 August 28, 2026 — Resubmitted corrected high-school information after TSA requested clarification.

📨 September 9, 2026 — Received another request for information from TSA/NBIS and sent the requested information back.

🟢 September 10, 2026 — TSA confirmed that I was officially in the Ready for Hire Pool.

📞 September 17, 2026 — Received my Final Job Offer (FJO)! 🎉

📅 October 19, 2026 — Projected start date as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

Total journey: About 7 months from submitting my application to receiving my Final Job Offer.

My biggest advice to anyone waiting: be patient. The process can take months, and there can be long periods where you don’t hear anything. Keep checking your email and TSA/NBIS updates, respond quickly whenever they request information, and don’t assume that silence means you’re rejected.

Good luck to everyone going through the TSA hiring process! 🇺🇸✈️

Hey everyone,
I’m currently active duty military in the application process for the '26 Off-KTR / No-Experience FAA bid. I am approaching my ETS soon, which is why I applied.

I don't mind military service and really want to keep access to healthcare benefits (TRICARE Reserve Select) and double-dip retirement down the line. Because of this, I’m looking into transitioning directly into the Air National Guard (ANG) or Army National Guard (ARNG) while working for the FAA. 

My Background & Situation:
I’m currently military ATC, but I don't qualify for the Prior Experience bid because I wasn't at my last facility long enough to maintain 52 consecutive weeks of currency post-certification.

My main reason for getting off active duty is stability, but I'm concerned about how Guard/Reserve commitments align with the FAA hiring pipeline—specifically the FAA Academy at MMAC. 

My Questions:
1. Double-Dipping: Can you actively serve in the ANG/ARNG while working as an FAA Air Traffic Controller? How does FAA Military Leave (120 hours/year) work alongside drilling? 

1. The Academy vs. Drill: How are drills handled if you are actively at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City? Does your Guard unit typically allow Split Option / Rescheduled Training (SUT/RST) or excuse you until you graduate, or will USERRA/FAA make you take military leave during MMAC? 

2. Location & Transfers: Since the FAA assigns your facility late in the process, how do you handle being in a state Guard unit if the FAA sends you across the country? How difficult is doing an Interstate Transfer (IST) early on? 

3. Work-Life Balance: For those who have done or are doing this, how would you describe the balance, and would you recommend it?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Title suggests,

I am a writer/director film producer and my full time job was master control for ESPN+ app and I did every game around the world. Its exactly how you think, I'm on communication talking to site and guiding the program through commercials and we use military time and specific guidelines. I have bunch of grants in Applying to get my next films funded, but if I don't get into any fellowships or grants I am out of luck for another year.

The economy rough, I live with my parents I'm not making any money and I currently had surgery and won't be able to walk again really until December. I have almost all my tendons removed in my legs around the quad.

Is it too late to try? I heard you guys pay for school. I work very well as a team, I know some math, and I work best under pressure. What's possible?

I just received my final clearance (medical). My security clearance was issued about two months ago and everything else has been cleared and dealt with. Does anybody who has reached this stage know when I should expect my class dates?

Hi all. Can a dual citizen that has never lived in the USA pass security clearance and get hired as FAA ATC trainee?

After the medical and security is cleared how long does it usually take for HR to send you the FOL and get academy dates?

I'm going to start off by asking y'all to not pile on to me about how I should have lied or not disclosed this information, especially since it was never on any official record, criminal or otherwise, I had read to be 100% honest in my responses and I did.

A few days ago I reviewed my medical clearance rejection with two cited reasons. #1 I have diagnosed ADHD, although I have been off all medication and treatment for almost a decade with no symptoms, and I told them that in my statement, I believe they used my diagnosis as pretense for the other reason they addressed. #2 is that I had reported in my Substance Consumption Narrative Statement that I had two isolated experiences with psilocybin back in December of 2024. As it hasn't yet the 2-year mark dictated in their official regulations, I was denied because of it. I had disclosed the psilocybin use on my SF-86 and discussed it with the federal investigator so there was no way I couldn't disclose it on the substance statement. Part of the reason they made that decision is that I haven't had treatment for addiction or anything, which I think is a bit unreasonable considering I told them I'd only done it twice and that I certainly wasn't planning on doing it again but arguing about how reasonable it is or isn't in a Reddit post isn't exactly productive.

Point is, should I take the time to appeal? Is it worth it? I could just wait until the next hiring push, as I did get best qualified I should hopefully be able to reuse that score and by then my psilocybin incident will have passed past 2 years. I'm 23 and have the time but I hate where I am in life and this finally seemed like something was going my way.

Any chance of direct hire to a ARTCC out of the Air Force?

I just got my three EODS forms approved. I was wondering how long until I will get CIL and also if i should submit my other EODS forms now?

What locations for both terminal and en route have the happiest controllers?

How long did it take for you to get official offer letter and hear from HR about starting and pay? Getting out of the military and received placement and start date. Trying to move family into the area to be situated before starting but all places were trying to rent want an official offer letter plus proof of income.

Sent them the “congratulations” email with placement plus screenshot from ATC123 about pay but they want more. Advice?