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FAA Hiring Practices and USAF Air Traffic Controller Retention. FAA Hiring Practices. Background. During a recent visit to Luke AFB, the AF/CV was asked about FAA hiring practices. The AF controller community is concerned that the FAA won’t hire military controllers over 31 years old.
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FAA Hiring Practices andUSAF Air Traffic Controller Retention
FAA Hiring Practices Background • During a recent visit to Luke AFB, the AF/CV was asked about FAA hiring practices. The AF controller community is concerned that the FAA won’t hire military controllers over 31 years old.
FAA Air Traffic Control Hiring • Public Law 92-297 allows DOT to establish maximum entry age limit for appointment to FAA • Current DOT policy states controllers must be appointed prior to age 31 • Public Law also establishes age 56 as the mandatory retirement age for working controllers • FAA 1999 wage scale increased salaries by 30% • FAA radar controller estimate base salary $89-121K Source: HQ FAA/AAT-5
Impact of Raising/Eliminating Age Cap • Lose stability in senior NCO corps • 1,203 of 2,901 AF controllers become eligible to be hired by the FAA • All over 31, many are supervisors and instructors • Other DoD Military/Civilian Controllers • Support Army, Navy and AFRC/ANG bases • Army (military 1,000/civilian 300) • Navy (military 2,563/civilian 89) • AFRC (civilian 97) • ANG (military 330/civilian 92)
FAA Hiring Pattern FY 94 - 137 FY 99 - 265/350 FY 95 - 157 FY 00 - 265 FY 96 - 102 FY 01 - 265 FY 97 - 671 FY 02 - 565 FY 98 - 834 FY 03 - 1165 Note: FY 99 - 03 FAA projected hiring based on projected retirements and normal attrition. Line controller and facility management levels capped at 15,000. (Does not include personnel at HQ FAA.)
Current AF ATC ManningFY 9901 ATC Keep Rate FY98 * - 1st Term - 27% ** - 2d Term - 40% ** Currently 1,203 of 2,901 assigned are over age 31 * Source: AF/DPRS
ATC Staffing Get Well Date 2002 TPR 500 ? 3200 3000 TPR 650 2850 Authorized Asgn/500 Attr OJT Lag Time 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Fiscal Years
Notional AF ATC ManningFY 2003 Notional Keep Rate FY04 * - 1st Term - 27% ** - 2d Term - 40%
AF ATC Requirements Total Requirement:3287 Includes 124 plus-ups to support EAF * ** * - Instructors ** - Students
Pay Chart/Lifetime Earnings Total Earnings to Age 56 - $1,864,752 FAA Pay $1,095,900 FAA Retire Military Pay $768,852 Military Retirement Years Source: SAF/FMBOP (Military Annual Std Composite Pay) NATCA ATC Target (FY01) Pay Chart
Pay Chart/Lifetime Earnings Total Earnings to Age 56 - $2,546,964 FAA Pay $2,192,000 Cumulative 12 yr. Military Pay $354,964 Cumulative 20 yr. Military Pay $768,852 FAA Retirement Approx $60,000/yr Years Source: SAF/FMBOP (Military Annual Std Composite Pay) NATCA ATC Target (FY01) Pay Chart
Pay Chart/Lifetime Earnings Total Earnings to age 56 $2,845,300 FAA Pay $2,743,500 Military Pay $101,841 FAA Retire Years Source: SAF/FMBOP (Military Annual Std Composite Pay) NATCA ATC Target (FY01) Pay Chart
Conclusion • FAA pay scale could seriously impact retention • Age limit allows us to preserve our senior NCO corps • Supervisors & training (OJT & schoolhouse) • Military retirees provide a manpower pool to draw from to fill DoD controller contract positions (currently used by AF/AFRC/ANG/Army/Navy) • Some current AF ATC positions could be converted to civilian positions/contracted (provided age limit stays)
Recommendations • Near Term: • Leave age 31 policy intact • PBFA study for 6 months to assess: • Impact of AF ATC SRB • FAA hiring practices • Impact on Navy/Army/DoD Contract Controllers • Long Term: • Increase ADSC • Contract low density control towers • Increase civilian instructors at Keesler